Are Biofreeze patches helpful for relieving neck pain?

Biofreeze Patches for Neck Pain

Biofreeze patches may provide temporary relief for neck pain as part of a comprehensive pain management approach, but there is limited specific evidence supporting their efficacy over other topical treatments. Local therapies, including medicated patches, are recommended for the treatment of myalgias, arthralgias, and myofascial pain according to clinical guidelines 1.

Mechanism and Effectiveness

Biofreeze patches contain menthol as their active ingredient, which works through:

• Creating a cooling sensation that may help distract from pain signals
• Potentially reducing local inflammation
• Temporarily desensitizing nerve endings in the affected area

Evidence for Topical Treatments for Neck Pain

While specific research on Biofreeze patches for neck pain is limited, clinical guidelines provide relevant information:

• The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend local therapies including medicated patches for myalgias, arthralgias, and myofascial pain 1.
• There is stronger evidence supporting the effectiveness of topical lidocaine and capsaicin for pain relief compared to other topical agents 1.
• Local therapies including heat, cold packs, and medicated patches are considered appropriate non-pharmacological interventions for neck pain 1.

Comparative Effectiveness

• A randomized controlled trial comparing heat and cold therapy for neck and back strains found both provided mild improvement in pain severity with no significant difference between the two approaches 2.
• The choice between heat or cold therapy should be based on patient preferences and availability 2.
• Topical diclofenac (gel or patch) has shown effectiveness for pain relief with minimal systemic effects, though this was studied specifically for bone pain 1.

Place in Treatment Algorithm

For neck pain management, consider the following approach:

1. First-line approaches:

   • Physical therapy and exercise (strongest evidence among complementary approaches) 3, 4
   • NSAIDs or muscle relaxants for acute neck pain 3, 4

2. Complementary approaches:

   • Local therapies including Biofreeze patches, heat, or cold packs
   • Massage, acupuncture, or yoga (weaker supporting evidence) 3, 5, 6

3. For persistent pain:

   • Consider referral for interventional procedures for refractory pain 1
   • For facet-mediated pain that fails conservative management, radiofrequency denervation may be considered 7

Important Considerations

• Most episodes of acute neck pain will resolve spontaneously, but more than one-third of affected people still have low-grade symptoms or recurrences more than one year later 3.
• Biofreeze patches should be considered a temporary symptomatic treatment rather than a definitive solution for chronic neck pain.
• Patients should be advised that Biofreeze patches may provide temporary relief but are unlikely to address underlying causes of neck pain.
• If neck pain persists beyond 6 weeks or is accompanied by red flags (trauma, malignancy, neurological deficits, etc.), further evaluation is warranted 1.

Conclusion

Biofreeze patches may be a reasonable option for temporary symptomatic relief of neck pain, particularly for patients who prefer topical treatments or cooling sensations. However, they should be used as part of a broader treatment approach that includes appropriate exercise and potentially other more evidence-based interventions.