Why Other Options Fall Short
Pain relief rubs such as those with menthol, applied directly to the skin provide some relief, but they are temporary and simply mask the pain.
Anti-inflammatory pills can alleviate the enzyme-generated pain and inflammation, but these can take a toll on your stomach and liver in the process. Pills are also impossible to target to a specific area.
Typical antioxidant supplements don't have much effect, plus these molecules are slow, most get destroyed in the digestive system and they cannot be directed to where the body really needs them.