I have been trying a capsaicin based cream for both my left knee and right foot, both of which develop aches when doing a lot of miles. I had first heard of the clinical use of capsaicin cream by physicians in 1994, while providing case management for HIV/AIDS clients, in AIDS patients who had developed severe neuralgia in their feet. So, a couple of months back, I began trying a cream with lower Over-The-Counter levels, but which has shown clinical effectiveness. I wanted to avoid ibuprofen based creams as they do not remove the potential side effects associated with NSAIDS, and I do use Ibuprofen tabs as needed.
I have found that there seems to be a good effectiveness with the capsaicin cream. The effect is NOT immediate in most cases; relief comes from regular applications as the capsaicin interacts to interrupt the inflammatory process. This usually takes about 3 days... sometimes less.
There are precautions to be followed: think about cutting up a hot pepper, like a habanero, and what needs to be done to keep the hurt from tender places like eyes, nose, lower body parts, etc.
This is just something else to perhaps consider for those needing relief from the deep, achy pains of overused joints and feet.
