Roll-On vs Cream: Which Is Better for Back and Shoulder Aches?

Most people who buy a topical pain reliever end up wondering whether to get the roll-on or the cream. They usually have the same ingredients. The difference is where it hurts and where you'll be when you use it.

Choose a roll-on if

• It hurts somewhere hard to reach, like your upper back or the back of your shoulder.
• You'll use it on the go: at the gym, in your tennis bag, at work, in the car.
• You don't want it on your hands. No washing up, and nothing ends up in your eyes later.

Choose a cream if

• You're covering a bigger area, like your whole lower back or both knees.
• You like to massage it in. Rubbing it in is half the benefit for a tight muscle.
• You use it every day at home. A pump or tube is more economical.

A few tips for back and shoulder aches

1. Apply after a warm shower, when your skin and muscles are warm.
2. Use a thin layer. More isn't better.
3. Pair it with gentle movement, like shoulder rolls or a short walk, instead of sitting still.
4. If the pain shoots down your arm or leg, or comes with numbness, see a doctor.

What we make

Active 10 comes in both. The 3 oz roll-on is the one for your bag and for reaching your back. The 4 oz tube and 8 oz pump are for home. If you can't decide, the combo pack gets you a tube and a roll-on for less.

All of them use menthol and capsaicin for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with simple backache, strains, bruises and sprains. They're non-greasy, non-staining and made in the USA.

Read the product label for Drug Facts, directions and warnings before use. This article is general information, not medical advice.