Menthol balm is a cooling balm worked into sore, stiff muscles. It does not fix a muscle. It takes the edge off an ache for a while, and the cool, tingling feel can make a tight spot easier to work.
The short answer
What it is: a cooling balm of menthol and wintergreen oil.
Best for: sore or stiff muscles, not injuries.
Never on: the face, broken skin, or during a prenatal session.
Here: an enhancement, applied only when you ask.
How the cooling works
Menthol switches on the same nerve sensors in your skin that respond to cold. That is why the area feels cool, then lightly tingly, and why the feeling fades slowly. For many people, that cooling takes the edge off a minor ache for a while.
Over-the-counter muscle rubs in the US follow FDA rules. As a cooling ingredient, menthol is allowed at 1.25 to 16 percent, and the label has to warn against using it on wounds or damaged skin and against bandaging it tightly.
When to add it
It suits muscles that are sore or stiff rather than injured:
The back of the neck and the shoulders after long hours at a desk
The calves and feet after a day of standing or a long walk
The lower back after lifting, gardening or a long drive
A muscle knot that keeps coming back to the same spot
To add it, choose it when you book online. Enhancements are offered after you choose a service. If you would rather have a session without scent, leave it off, since the mint is noticeable.
Where it goes, and where it never goes
It is worked into the muscles you choose, such as the back of the neck, the shoulders, the back and the calves. It is never used on the face, the front of the neck, the inner arm or thigh, or broken skin. In those places the skin is thinner, already broken or close to the eyes, and the cooling can turn to stinging.
From Dr. Nick
Cooling herbs have a long history in Chinese medicine, and mint is one of them. The rule I give our therapists is simple: the balm goes where the guest asks, in a thin layer, and never near the eyes. More balm does not mean more relief. It only means more sting.
Who should skip it
Pregnancy. CBD and Menthol Balm are not used during a prenatal session.
Sensitive skin. Ask for a small test spot first, and if it stings rather than cools, skip it. You can also bring your own oil, balm or lotion for your therapist to apply.
Aspirin allergy or blood thinners. Wintergreen oil is mostly methyl salicylate, a close relative of aspirin, so check with your doctor first.
Common questions
Is menthol balm the same as CBD balm?
No. Our CBD balm is a 200mg organic hemp CBD balm blended with menthol and camphor. For a closer look, see CBD balm or menthol balm.
Can menthol balm help with a headache?
Some people like the cooling feel on the back of the neck and shoulders when tension builds there. We never apply it near the eyes, and it is not a treatment for headaches. If headaches are frequent or severe, see your doctor.
Will I smell like mint afterward?
A little. A light minty scent stays on the skin for a while, so keep that in mind if you are heading back to work.
How should I use a menthol balm at home?
Follow the label. Use a thin layer on sore muscles, keep it away from your eyes, and wash your hands afterward. Never cover it with a heating pad or a tight wrap. The FDA has warned that doing so can lead to burns.
Will it help a pulled muscle?
It can take the edge off a minor ache, but a fresh strain needs rest and a proper look. If there is swelling, bruising or pain after a fall, check with your doctor first.
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Sources: Peier and others, A TRP channel that senses cold stimuli and menthol, Cell, 2002. FDA, OTC Monograph M017, External Analgesic Drug Products. FDA, Rare cases of serious burns with topical muscle and joint pain relievers, 2012.