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Sometimes pain relief can be controlled with preventive practices like eating well, stretching daily and getting regular exercise. Other times, a demanding day means you need extra support.
Not sure where to start?
Choose which type of pain you’re experiencing to get helpful tips for immediate pain relief in your back, shoulders, knees, hands, hips, sinuses and more.
BACK PAIN RELIEF
- Massage therapy: Working with a professional massage therapist can help ease the muscles around your spine, get your blood flowing and encourage faster and easier healing.
- Rest: As soon as you notice pain in your back, try to take it easy for a few hours at a time over the next couple of days. Overusing your back muscles or pushing yourself too hard can make the pain worse, now and in the long term.
- Try Aleve® Back & Muscle Pain: Aleve® Back & Muscle Pain provides up to 12-hour pain relief with just one pill, so you can show up strong all day long. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: Working with a professional massage therapist can help ease the muscles around your spine, get your blood flowing and encourage faster and easier healing.
- Rest: As soon as you notice pain in your back, try to take it easy for a few hours at a time over the next couple of days. Overusing your back muscles or pushing yourself too hard can make the pain worse, now and in the long term.
- Try Aleve® Back & Muscle Pain: Aleve® Back & Muscle Pain provides up to 12-hour pain relief with just one pill, so you can show up strong all day long. Use as directed.
- Heating and icing: A warm shower or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while cold compresses or ice packs help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. Switching between the two for a few days can help provide fast pain relief.
- Stretching: Both dynamic (moving) and static (still) stretches help loosen and strengthen the muscles around your spine and hips — and you can do many of them anytime, anywhere.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: With just one capsule, Aleve® Liquid Gels provides up to 12-hour pain relief from minor aches and pains so you can take on anything with all you have. Use as directed.
- Heating and icing: A warm shower or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while cold compresses or ice packs help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. Switching between the two for a few days can help provide fast pain relief.
- Stretching: Both dynamic (moving) and static (still) stretches help loosen and strengthen the muscles around your spine and hips — and you can do many of them anytime, anywhere.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: With just one capsule, Aleve® Liquid Gels provides up to 12-hour pain relief from minor aches and pains so you can take on anything with all you have. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: A massage focused on your lower back and the back of your legs can help ease the muscles around those areas.
- Yoga: It may not be a cure-all, but yoga can help relieve pain quickly by lengthening and strengthening the muscles in your back and legs.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: Aleve® targets pain at the source and could be the key to relieving your pain and getting you back to doing what you love. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: A massage focused on your lower back and the back of your legs can help ease the muscles around those areas.
- Yoga: It may not be a cure-all, but yoga can help relieve pain quickly by lengthening and strengthening the muscles in your back and legs.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: Aleve® targets pain at the source and could be the key to relieving your pain and getting you back to doing what you love. Use as directed.
HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN RELIEF
- Quiet time: Take 30 minutes to yourself in a dark, quiet room to escape the strain and tension from bright lights or loud noises that may trigger your headache.
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender have been shown to help alleviate headache pain. Use an oil diffuser at home or apply the oil directly behind your ears while you’re on the go to help ease the tension.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: Taking an Aleve® Liquid Gel can help provide all-day pain relief so you can get back to doing what you love without the distraction of taking pills every few hours when pain persists. Each pill has the strength to last 12 hours. Use as directed.
- Quiet time: Take 30 minutes to yourself in a dark, quiet room to escape the strain and tension from bright lights or loud noises that may trigger your headache.
- Aromatherapy: Essential oils like lavender have been shown to help alleviate headache pain. Use an oil diffuser at home or apply the oil directly behind your ears while you’re on the go to help ease the tension.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: Taking an Aleve® Liquid Gel can help provide all-day pain relief so you can get back to doing what you love without the distraction of taking pills every few hours when pain persists. Each pill has the strength to last 12 hours. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: To reduce swelling in your shoulder, massage the most painful part for about a minute at a time. If that’s too uncomfortable, try icing the area first.
- Dynamic stretching: Dynamic stretching is a movement-based type of stretching. Quick, simple moves like shoulder rolls can help loosen the muscles and tendons around your shoulder joint that may be causing your pain.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: All it takes is one pill to provide up to 12 hours of pain relief that lets you give everyone your best, relieved of shoulder pain. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: To reduce swelling in your shoulder, massage the most painful part for about a minute at a time. If that’s too uncomfortable, try icing the area first.
- Dynamic stretching: Dynamic stretching is a movement-based type of stretching. Quick, simple moves like shoulder rolls can help loosen the muscles and tendons around your shoulder joint that may be causing your pain.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: All it takes is one pill to provide up to 12 hours of pain relief that lets you give everyone your best, relieved of shoulder pain. Use as directed.
- Chiropractic care: A chiropractor can help realign your spine and relieve your neck pain. Talk to them about a treatment plan to help avoid neck pain in the future.
- Stretching: Neck pain is often caused by tension in your neck muscles. Try quick and easy stretches, like slowly and gently rotating your neck, circling your head to stretch and relax the muscles.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: One tablet of Aleve® could be the key to relieving your pain, without having to take pills every four to six hours when pain persists. Use as directed.
- Chiropractic care: A chiropractor can help realign your spine and relieve your neck pain. Talk to them about a treatment plan to help avoid neck pain in the future.
- Stretching: Neck pain is often caused by tension in your neck muscles. Try quick and easy stretches, like slowly and gently rotating your neck, circling your head to stretch and relax the muscles.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: One tablet of Aleve® could be the key to relieving your pain, without having to take pills every four to six hours when pain persists. Use as directed.
KNEE AND HIP PAIN RELIEF
- Steroid injection: Depending on the cause and severity of your knee pain, your doctor may suggest injecting medications, including steroids, directly into the joint for immediate pain relief that can get you back on your feet.
- Ice and elevation: Ice your knee for 10 minutes, three to four times a day, and keeping your knee elevated as much as possible to help minimize swelling that could be causing your pain.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: With just one capsule, Aleve® Liquid Gels provide up to 12-hour pain relief from minor aches and pains so nothing can get in your way. Use as directed.
- Steroid injection: Depending on the cause and severity of your knee pain, your doctor may suggest injecting medications, including steroids, directly into the joint for immediate pain relief that can get you back on your feet.
- Ice and elevation: Ice your knee for 10 minutes, three to four times a day, and keeping your knee elevated as much as possible to help minimize swelling that could be causing your pain.
- Try Aleve® Liquid Gels: With just one capsule, Aleve® Liquid Gels provide up to 12-hour pain relief from minor aches and pains so nothing can get in your way. Use as directed.
- Stretching: Gently stretching your hips can help loosen the muscles and tendons and quickly reduce hip pain, especially if the cause is a strain or pinched nerve.
- Heating and icing: A warm shower or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while cool compresses or ice packs help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: For relief of pain, Aleve® Caplets can help. All it takes is one pill to provide 12 hours of pain relief that can help keep you moving. Use as directed.
- Stretching: Gently stretching your hips can help loosen the muscles and tendons and quickly reduce hip pain, especially if the cause is a strain or pinched nerve.
- Heating and icing: A warm shower or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while cool compresses or ice packs help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: For relief of pain, Aleve® Caplets can help. All it takes is one pill to provide 12 hours of pain relief that can help keep you moving. Use as directed.
HAND AND WRIST PAIN RELIEF
- Stretching: The muscles and tendons around your wrists can get stiff easily and cause pain when you’re performing even simple tasks. Try rolling your wrists clockwise and counterclockwise a few times throughout the day to prevent stiffness wherever you are.
- Heating and icing: Wrapping your wrist in a warm compress or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while a cool compress or ice pack can help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling for immediate pain relief in your wrists.
- Try Aleve® Gelcaps: Aleve® Soft Grip® Arthritis Cap features a contoured bottle that fits comfortably in your hand and a cap covered with a cushioned material, so getting powerful up to 12-hour pain relief you need doesn’t cause more pain. Use as directed.
- Stretching: The muscles and tendons around your wrists can get stiff easily and cause pain when you’re performing even simple tasks. Try rolling your wrists clockwise and counterclockwise a few times throughout the day to prevent stiffness wherever you are.
- Heating and icing: Wrapping your wrist in a warm compress or heating pad helps relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, while a cool compress or ice pack can help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling for immediate pain relief in your wrists.
- Try Aleve® Gelcaps: Aleve® Soft Grip® Arthritis Cap features a contoured bottle that fits comfortably in your hand and a cap covered with a cushioned material, so getting powerful up to 12-hour pain relief you need doesn’t cause more pain. Use as directed.
- Therapy ball: If the pain in your hands doesn’t respond to medication, regular hand exercises using a therapy ball can help. Ask your doctor for their recommendation on the right exercises for you.
- Try Aleve® Easy Open Arthritis Cap: Accessing pain relief from minor arthritis pain in your hands shouldn't cause more discomfort. That's why there's the Aleve® Easy Open Arthritis Cap — an easy way to get up to 12-hour pain relief with just one pill. Use as directed. Not child resistant.
- Therapy ball: If the pain in your hands doesn’t respond to medication, regular hand exercises using a therapy ball can help. Ask your doctor for their recommendation on the right exercises for you.
- Try Aleve® Easy Open Arthritis Caps: Accessing pain relief from minor arthritis pain in your hands shouldn't cause more discomfort. That's why there's the Aleve® Easy Open Arthritis Cap — an easy way to get up to 12-hour pain relief with just one pill. Use as directed. Not child resistant.
FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN RELIEF
- Stretching: The muscles and tendons around your ankles can get stiff easily and cause pain, especially if your job requires you to sit all day. To reduce stiffness, rotate your ankle, circling your feet clockwise and counterclockwise a few times throughout the day.
- Compression and elevation: If you’re on your feet all day, your ankles may swell, causing increased pain. Try compressing your ankle area by wrapping it in a bandage or wearing a brace during the day, and keep it elevated as much as possible when you get home.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: The power of Aleve® in one tablet could be the key to relieving your ankle pain. Aleve® can help get you through your entire busy day without having to take pills every three to four hours. Use as directed.
- Stretching: The muscles and tendons around your ankles can get stiff easily and cause pain, especially if your job requires you to sit all day. To reduce stiffness, rotate your ankle, circling your feet clockwise and counterclockwise a few times throughout the day.
- Compression and elevation: If you’re on your feet all day, your ankles may swell, causing increased pain. Try compressing your ankle area by wrapping it in a bandage or wearing a brace during the day, and keep it elevated as much as possible when you get home.
- Try Aleve® Tablets: The power of Aleve® in one tablet could be the key to relieving your ankle pain. Aleve® can help get you through your entire busy day without having to take pills every three to four hours. Use as directed.
BODY ACHES AND PAIN RELIEF
- Staying cool: Even if your fever is causing chills, wear lightweight clothing and avoid heavy blankets while sleeping or resting to help keep your body temperature down.
- Cool compress: Applying a cool compress to your forehead and wrists while you’re resting can help soothe your body and reduce your fever to help you feel better.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: When you're tired of taking and retaking pills every few hours to keep your fever down, Aleve® can help. Each pill provides up to 12 hours of pain relief so you can rest up and recover quickly. Do not take Aleve® to reduce a fever for more than three days without consulting your doctor. Use as directed.
- Staying cool: Even if your fever is causing chills, wear lightweight clothing and avoid heavy blankets while sleeping or resting to help keep your body temperature down.
- Cool compress: Applying a cool compress to your forehead and wrists while you’re resting can help soothe your body and reduce your fever to help you feel better.
- Try Aleve® Caplets: When you're tired of taking and retaking pills every few hours to keep your fever down, Aleve® can help. Each pill provides up to 12 hours of pain relief so you can rest up and recover quickly. Do not take Aleve® to reduce a fever for more than three days without consulting your doctor. Use as directed.
- Avoid dryness: Breathing dry air can irritate the sinuses. Before or after work, inhale steam from a warm shower, use a humidifier or apply a warm, moist washcloth to your forehead to help clear your sinus congestion.
- Irrigating sinuses: Flushing your nasal passages with room-temperature saline solution helps wash out mucus and stop your nasal passages from drying out. A neti pot or nasal irrigator works well — just follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Try Aleve-D® Sinus & Cold: Colds can be miserable and can diminish a demanding day, but just one Aleve-D® Sinus & Cold caplet relieves the nasal congestion, sinus pressure, headaches, body aches and pain for up to 12 hours. Use as directed.
Contains the active ingredients naproxen sodium (NSAID)* 220 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg.
Available behind the pharmacy counter without a prescription in most states.
*nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- Avoid dryness: Breathing dry air can irritate the sinuses. Before or after work, inhale steam from a warm shower, use a humidifier or apply a warm, moist washcloth to your forehead to help clear your sinus congestion.
- Irrigating sinuses: Flushing your nasal passages with room-temperature saline solution helps wash out mucus and stop your nasal passages from drying out. A neti pot or nasal irrigator works well — just follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Try Aleve® Sinus & Cold: Colds can be miserable and can diminish a demanding day, but just one Aleve-D® Sinus & Cold caplet relieves the nasal congestion, sinus pressure, headaches, body aches and pain for up to 12 hours. Use as directed.
Contains the active ingredients naproxen sodium (NSAID)* 220 mg and pseudoephedrine HCl 120 mg.
Available behind the pharmacy counter without a prescription in most states.
*nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- Warm shower: Taking a warm shower after a tough workout or long day on your feet can help relax sore muscles, improve mobility and prevent stiffness in your joints.
- Foam rolling: Similar to a massage, a foam roller can relieve sore muscles without pushing them to the point of bruising or injury.
- Try AleveX™ Pain Relieving Lotion with Rollerball Applicator: AleveX™ Pain Relieving Lotion provides powerful, long-lasting pain relief where you need it most.
Contains the active ingredients Menthol and Camphor. Use as directed.
- Warm shower: Taking a warm shower after a tough workout or long day on your feet can help relax sore muscles, improve mobility and prevent stiffness in your joints.
- Foam rolling: Similar to a massage, a foam roller can relieve sore muscles without pushing them to the point of bruising or injury.
- Try AleveX™ Pain Relieving Lotion with Rollerball Applicator: AleveX™ Pain Relieving Lotion provides powerful, long-lasting pain relief where you need it most.
Contains the active ingredients Menthol and Camphor. Use as directed.
- Massage therapy: Massage can ease the muscles around your injury to relieve pain and help get your blood flowing so your body can heal itself. Check with your doctor first to make sure massage therapy is OK for your current state of recovery.
- Heating and icing: Place a warm compress or heating pad on the affected area to help relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, or a cool compress or ice pack to help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling around your injury. Do not use heat with AleveX™ Pain Relieving Spray.
- Try AleveX™ Pain Relieving Spray: When you need powerful, long-lasting topical pain relief after an injury, turn to AleveX™ Spray. Targeted spray technology offers spray control without the drip or mess, temporarily relieving minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, simple backache, strains, sprains and bruises.
Contains the active ingredients Menthol and Camphor. Use as directed. Do not use with heat.
- Massage therapy: Massage can ease the muscles around your injury to relieve pain and help get your blood flowing so your body can heal itself. Check with your doctor first to make sure massage therapy is OK for your current state of recovery.
- Heating and icing: Place a warm compress or heating pad on the affected area to help relax muscles, improve mobility and relieve stiffness, or a cool compress or ice pack to help reduce pain, inflammation and swelling around your injury. Do not use heat with AleveX™ Pain Relieving Spray.
- Try AleveX™ Pain Relieving Spray: When you need powerful, long-lasting topical pain relief after an injury, turn to AleveX™ Spray. Targeted spray technology offers spray control without the drip or mess, temporarily relieving minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with arthritis, simple backache, strains, sprains and bruises.
Contains the active ingredients Menthol and Camphor. Use as directed. Do not use with heat.
Talk to your doctor regarding your health concerns.
There are also many other medical, supportive and holistic ways to find relief.
References
Medical News Today. Fourteen home remedies for knee pain.
Penn Medicine. Knee pain.
Mayo Clinic. Hip pain.
Healthline, Cirino E. Treating the various causes of hip pain.
WebMD. Natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief.
Arthritis Foundation. Natural relief for arthritis pain.
