The best pain patch delivers either a cooling or heating sensation to alleviate pesky aches and pains. While effective, choosing the best patch for your needs can be hard. ThermaCare’s multi-purpose pain wraps offer up to eight hours of heat to soothe sore muscles and joints. Keep reading to learn more about this and other outstanding pain relief patches.
Best Choice - Multi-Purpose Pain Wraps by ThermaCare
Featuring four different designs, ThermaCare’s multi-purpose pain wraps are flexible enough to adhere to various areas of the body. Plus, they deliver up to eight hours of soothing heat.
Buy on AmazonFeaturing four different designs, ThermaCare’s multi-purpose pain wraps are flexible enough to adhere to various areas of the body. Plus, they deliver up to eight hours of soothing heat.
Our Top Picks
Best Choice
ThermaCare
Multi-Purpose Pain Wraps
Top Performance
LUMINAS
Pain Relief Patches
Can’t Count Out
Salonpas
Pain Relieving Patches
The Eight Best Pain Patches
| Product | Brand | Latex-free | Sizing | Heat or Cold Therapy | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Purpose Pain Heat Wraps | ThermaCare | Not specified | Fours sizes | Heat |  |
| Pain Relief Patches | LUMINAS | Not specified | One size | Not specified | |
| Pain Relieving Patches | Salonpas | Not specified | One size | Heat | |
| Extra Strength Medicated Patches | Icy Hot | Not specified | Three sizes | Cold | |
| Ultra Strength Pain Relief Patches | Bengay | Not specified | Three sizes | Heat | |
| Infrared Patches | Golden Sunshine | Not specified | Three sizes | Not specified | |
| Heat Patches | Sunny Bay | Not specified | Three sizes | Heat | |
| Beyond BodiHeat Original Patches | OKAMOTO USA INC | Not specified | Three sizes | Heat | |
Best Choice: Multi-Purpose Pain Wraps by ThermaCare
Buy on AmazonAvailable in four different designs for back, neck, joint, and muscle pain, these air-activated pain relief patches utilize patented heat-cell technology to deliver up to eight hours of low-level heat. Plus, they are ultra-thin and flexible and come with multiple adhesive points that keep them securely in place during use.
Main Features
- 4 designs
- Up to 8 hours of heat
- Multiple adhesive points
- Ultra-thin and flexible
- Box contains 4 patches
Pros:
- Air-activated
- Accelerate healing
- Increase blood circulation
- Brand recommended by pharmacists
Cons:
- Not as adhesive as some other pain patches
- Some reviewers have reported that their pain patches arrived open
Top Performance: Pain Relief Patches by LUMINAS
Charged with healing ions associated with hundreds of natural remedies, these patches work within minutes of being applied to the skin to alleviate pain and inflammation. Activated at application, the patches support the body’s own healing process. Plus, they are odor-free and non-transdermal.
Main Features
- Work in minutes
- Last up to 24 hours
- Charged with electrons
- Target source of discomfort
- Pack of 24 patches
Pros:
- No side effects
- Odor free
- Non-transdermal
- No-questions-asked money-back guarantee
Cons:
- More expensive than most other pain patches
- Some users have noticed no difference after using these patches
The Other Pain Patches We Reviewed
Extra Strength Medicated Patches by Icy Hot
Ideal for alleviating the discomfort of arthritis, back ache, and menstrual cramps, these adhesive muscle pain patches come in three convenient sizes. Plus, they are infused with a pain-relieving ointment to numb the affected area for up to eight hours. When buying this product, keep in mind that these patches only deliver cold therapy, not cold and hot therapy.
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Ultra Strength Pain Relief Patches by Bengay
These self-adhesive pain patches deliver penetrating heat to temporarily soothe sore muscles and joints. Infused with menthol, they provide up to eight hours of effective relief. Plus, they contain no adhesive, as the layer of the hydrogel is supposed to keep them in place on the skin. However, this is not always the case, as some users have complained that these patches do not stay in place.
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Infrared Patches by Golden Sunshine
Infused with menthol and wintergreen oil, as well as Chinese herbs, these patches produce infrared therapeutic frequency when activated by body heat. Plus, they can be cut down to size if required. On the downside, some reviewers have noted that these patches have an overpowering menthol smell.
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Heat Patches by Sunny Bay
These heat patches come in three styles—neck and shoulder patches, menstrual cramp heat patches, and square patches for a variety of ailments. Made from woven fabric for maximum comfort, they are air activated and deliver up to 12 hours of soothing heat. Unfortunately, some reviewers have complained that these patches irritate their skin.
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Beyond BodiHeat Original Patches by OKAMOTO USA INC
These patches work with your own blood circulation to provide up to 12 hours of soothing warmth for sore muscles and joints. Plus, they are self-adhesive, odorless, and non-medicated. On the downside, the powder contained within each pad tends to settle at the bottom, resulting in uneven heat distribution.
Buy on AmazonWhat Are Pain Patches Used For
Portable, discrete and fast-acting, heat patches offer targeted pain relief. Here are just a few of the benefits of cold and hot pain patches.
Heat Patches
Heat patches are soothe muscular pain, stiff joints, and strains. They are used to alleviate discomfort by relaxing the back, hip, thigh, neck, and shoulder muscles. They also increase circulation to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the sore area. Heat patches should never be used on a fresh injury.
Cold Patches
Cooling therapy should be the first port of call after an injury. A convenient alternative to ice packs, cold patches reduce inflammation by constricting blood vessels and alleviate pain by numbing the targeted area. They are ideal for delivering relief from the discomfort caused by sprains and strains.
How to Use Pain Patches
If used in the correct manner, patches can offer significant pain relief. Here is a quick guide on how to apply a pain patch. Remember, that pain patches should only be used on skin that is not broken or blistered.
- Clip your hair with scissors if required
- Wash your hands before touching the pad
- Clean the area where you are going to apply the patch using plain water and pat it dry
- Tear open the sealed pouch and remove the patch
- Peel off the protective backing without touching the sticky side of the patch
- Apply to the skin, pressing the patch down for around 30 seconds
- If the patch does not stick well, use first aid tape to secure it in place
- Leave the patch on for the prescribed number of hours
- Wash your hands after removing and disposing of the patch
Weighing All the Factors
After thorough review, we believe that ThermaCare’s multi-purpose heat wraps are the best pain patches for soothing sore muscles and stiff joints on the go. Ultra-thin and flexible, they come in four different designs for maximum comfort. Although more expensive, LUMINA’s pain relief patches are charged with electron fields to aid the body’s own healing process. Meanwhile, Salonpas’ pain relieving patches are infused with menthol and methyl salicylate to reduce pain and inflammation.
Best Choice - Multi-Purpose Pain Wraps by ThermaCare
Featuring four different designs, ThermaCare’s multi-purpose pain wraps are flexible enough to adhere to various areas of the body. Plus, they deliver up to eight hours of soothing heat.
Buy on Amazon