Staff
Feeling sore after a hard run—particularly when the pain sets in days later, as in the case of
delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—is common for even the most experienced runners. It’s a bad-good feeling that combines the thrill of accomplishment with the humility of having to lower yourself slowly into a chair. There are lots of time-tested ways to quiet the pain, like ice baths, massage, and the oddly satisfying torture of foam-rolling. All of these can be helpful for reducing swelling and tissue breakdown—particularly when combined with a good muscle rub.
Much like ice baths and compression socks, using a muscle rub as part of post-run recovery has more than just anecdotal benefits. According to a 2019 study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, using a topical analgesic like arnica can reduce the intensity of muscle soreness in the 72 hours after a run. Other creams and rubs have also been shown to reduce recovery time, due to the homeopathic contributions of menthol, magnesium, aloe, and more. And then there’s CBD, a cannabis compound newer to the market, which shows promise as an anti-inflammatory,