Research and News
New article on topical analgesics in PT Products
Dr. Phil Page recently published an article in PT Products on the use of topical analgesics in practice. Below is an excerpt from his article:
Typically, ice is applied to the skin to create a cold response in order to reduce pain because cold reduces the pain threshold. Menthol creates a chemical action on cold receptors rather than a physical action, resulting in a cold response. Patel and colleagues provide an excellent review of the mechanisms behind menthol. TRPM8 receptors stimulate small-diameter fibers, making the counterirritant mechanism less likely. Similar to ice, topical application of menthol in 3.5% gel reduces blood flow by 35% within 60 seconds of application, and remains ~20% reduced at 10 minutes after application. Recently, Topp and colleagues noted increased blood flow in both lower limbs after application to one limb, suggesting a possible systemic mechanism of typical menthol.
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| Print article | This entry was posted by admin on November 21, 2011 at 2:07 pm, and is filed under Biofreeze. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
