I have been getting a really sore back, neck and shoulder pain lately and it has been that bad that I really needed to find something that would cure it. I was recommended this Ibuprofen gel by the pharmacist which I haven't used before but it looked like aches like this were what this gel was made to relieve. I thought the idea of it being a gel format seemed strange as I always think of Ibuprofen as tablets but I wanted it gone so I bought it.

PACKAGING

It has a very distinct packaging this gel, it comes in a red box similarly designed to the tube and it contains 35g of gel in it. It almost looks like a tube of toothpaste but it is red with grey lines and looks very old fashioned. It states that it relieves pain and inflammation in conditions such as back ache, rheumatic pains, muscular pains, sprains, strains, lumbago and fibrositis. This is all clearly stated on the front so that you know what it does and it has all instructions on the reverse.

IBUPROFEN GEL

This gel comes with a lot of warnings, like most medicines do. It is a gel that should not be used if you are allergic to Ibuprofen or any of the ingredients or painkillers. This should not be used also if you are 6 months pregnant or more and are breast feeding. You should ask your doctor beore using any painkillers if you're pregnant. This should also be stored below 25 degrees Celsius and definitely should not be used after the expiry date.

The gel itself, when you open the tube you need to pierce the foil and it is a clear thick paste like gel. It has a smell almost like Bonjela to me so it is very clinical. To apply the gel, it says you should pour some on your finger, not too much but about a pea sized drop as a little goes a long way. Then rub this into your skin until it is all absorbed, it may feel sticky but that is it taking effective and after about half an hour or so it stops feeling sticky as the skin is absorbing it.

The gel takes overnight to take any effective as to expect instant results would be silly. It has for me minimised the pain that I had by a small amount. It is not a miracle gel but it will help relieve pain temporarily but it will not permanently remove it. However, this does probabl depend on the extent of your pain as mine is really bad. I apply this gel a couple of times a day just to ensure that it will actually work on my pain.

Ibuprofen gel is a good idea for relieving pain for a small amount of time as it numbs the pain but it will not instantly cure you and you do need to be patient with it. Having never used this before atleast I now know about it incase I get any aches ever again but it seems to be slowly helping me, I'll just have to persevere with it and keep rubbing it into my skin. This is a great method to try if you are an adult or oover 14 years old.

COST

I bought my Ibuprofen gel in Poundland and it was £1 which is a bargain really for something like this. It is stocked in a few places, but I am not sure of them all as this was my main one.

The official website for the brand is http://www.mentholatum.co.uk/