Tiger Balm For Plantar Fasciitis: Does It Really help? ( May – 2022 )

Are you tired of the lackluster results you’ve achieved after trying several treatments for plantar fasciitis? If the answer is yes, then it’s probably time you should consider using tiger balm for plantar fasciitis.

Tiger balm is considered to be an ancient Chinese remedy and it’s been used for centuries to relieve pain and improve circulation in the body. Tiger Balm is a topical ointment well known for its soothing, warming, and penetrating properties. It contains several active ingredients meant to relieve muscle and joint pain.

Tiger balm may work so well for plantar fasciitis because of its ingredients like camphor, methyl salicylate, menthol, and other essential oils. All these ingredients work together and make tiger balm a perfect natural remedy for plantar fasciitis because it helps to ease pain and massage away stress from your foot.

Tiger balm for plantar fasciitis is a topic we’ll break down in this blog post, so stick with us. This post will take you through all the details of tiger balm and its effectiveness on plantar fasciitis. We’ll also offer some alternatives that you can try at home for plantar fasciitis at the end of this blog post so keep reading.

What is tiger balm?

Tiger balm is a topical analgesic rub used for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pains. Some people use it as a liniment to relieve backache, joint pains, and even headaches. Tiger balm was developed in Singapore, back when they were a British colony.

Tiger balm has been widely marketed since the 1930s, although it has existed for hundreds of years as traditional Chinese medicine. Tiger Balm was originally created by a Chinese herbalist named Aw Chu Kin who found it in 1843.

The inventor came up with this magic potion as an alternative to allopathic medicines that could be sold at retail outlets in Asian markets around the world. His invention really took off globally and soon everybody started using it for muscle aches or low back pain or even for the treatment of migraines, toothaches and colds.

It is made from a unique blend of herbs and essential oils.  The ingredient most responsible for its medicinal properties is camphor & menthol. Unlike many other ointments on the market, Tiger Balm contains no petroleum products.

Tiger balm for plantar fasciitis: how does it work?

Tiger balm, a topical rub traditionally made from various Chinese herbs, is a top option among patients suffering from plantar fasciitis. At first glance, the substance may seem strange: why would you apply tiger balm to your feet?

However, this topical pain reliever has proven to be one of the best remedies for plantar fasciitis available today, with patients seeing fast and effective results. 

Tiger balm contains menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, and essential oils, which may help relieve pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Studies show that these ingredients have both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties which makes tiger balm a perfect natural remedy for plantar fasciitis.

These ingredients work by stimulating receptors in your skin that send pain signals to your brain. They also have a mild numbing effect that can help relieve some discomfort caused by this condition.

The active ingredients in tiger balm are absorbed through the skin and enter your bloodstream through capillaries just below the surface of your skin. This allows them to reach areas deep within muscles, joints, and bones where they can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Best Tiger Balm For Plantar Fasciitis

When you need more relief, you need Tiger Balm Sports Ultra Strength Ointment. This ointment is formulated with 49% essential oils and contains the strongest concentration of Tiger Balm’s herbal ingredients to provide warm, comforting relief for joint and muscle discomfort, stiff muscles, backaches, and more.

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Ingredients of tiger balm

Tiger Balm contains many different herbs that are traditionally used to treat these conditions. They include:

Camphor

Camphor acts as an analgesic (painkiller), antirheumatic (relieves joint pain), rubefacient (causes blood vessels to expand), and counter-irritant (draws blood away from an area). It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for rheumatic pain and muscle aches. It’s also found in some over-the-counter pain medications.

Menthol

Menthol is an aromatic substance found in mint leaves, peppermint oil, and other similar plants. Menthol acts on nerve endings in the skin, making them more sensitive to touch and temperature changes. This produces a cooling sensation when applied topically.

Menthol may also help ease muscle cramps and reduce inflammation by stimulating the production of prostaglandins (hormone-like substances that have an effect on blood vessels). Menthol also has mild analgesic properties similar to those of camphor.

METHYL SALICYLATE

An anti-inflammatory agent. It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins that cause inflammation. Studies have shown that methyl salicylate can reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other inflammatory conditions. In addition, it has been shown to be effective against headaches as well as muscular pains and sprains.

CASSIA OIL

Cassia oil comes from an evergreen tree native to China and Southeast Asia called “cassia.” The oil contains cinnamic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for treating joint pain like arthritis or bursitis. It also helps reduce muscle stiffness and spasms after strenuous exercise or injury by promoting circulation and easing muscle tension.

Capsicum extract

Capsicum (also known as cayenne pepper) is derived from a chili pepper fruit. The active ingredient in capsicum is capsaicin, which produces a burning sensation when applied to the skin. Capsaicin works by stimulating sensory nerve endings, causing them to release substance P, which transmits pain signals to the brain. Capsaicin can also reduce swelling and inflammation by inhibiting the activity of substance P.

Clove Oil

Clove oil contains eugenol, which acts as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli (E. coli). Clove oil also contains antioxidants that help prevent cell damage from free radicals produced by inflammation or infection.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol, which acts as a local anesthetic for sore muscles and joints and it contains several active ingredients called monoterpenes, which have been shown to reduce inflammation. Eucalyptus oil also contains other compounds that are thought to reduce inflammation such as thymol and carvacrol.

Different forms of tiger balm

Tiger balm for plantar fasciitis comes in many different forms:

Ointment

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The ointment form of tiger balm is a thick paste that can be applied directly to the skin with your fingers or a soft cloth or pad. The ointment contains camphor and menthol as active ingredients, along with other natural oils such as clove oil and cinnamon oil.

Cream

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The cream form of tiger balm is similar to the ointment but it has been whipped into a lighter consistency that spreads more easily on the skin. The cream also contains camphor and menthol as active ingredients but may also have added herbs such as ginger root powder or eucalyptus leaf oil.

Gel

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The gel form of tiger balm is similar to the cream but has been whipped into an even lighter consistency so that it’s almost like an oily liquid rather than a solid mass like the creams and ointments. Tiger Balm Gel contains a high concentration of menthol combined with other essential oils like eucalyptus oil that help soothe tired muscles and joints while reducing inflammation.

Spray

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The spray form of tiger balm contains medicated oils that are absorbed into the skin when sprayed onto it. Spray tiger balm is a convenient way to apply the product directly to your affected area without having to touch it with your hands or rub it into your skin. A spray bottle can also help you reach hard-to-reach areas on your body, such as between your toes.

Rubs

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These are the most popular form of tiger balm and can be applied directly on the skin for relief from pain. They come in roll-ons, sticks, or tubes and can be put on any part of your body where you feel pain or discomfort. Rubs are easy to apply and are suitable for use at home or during travel.

Patches

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Patches are similar to rubs but they come in small round discs that you stick on your skin with tape or an adhesive sticker. They contain concentrated amounts of active ingredients which work faster than rubs do, making them ideal for treating acute pain such as headaches or muscle strains. Patches don’t have any fragrance so they won’t irritate your nose like some other forms of tiger balm do.

Other uses of tiger balm

Besides the use of tiger balm for plantar fasciitis other common uses of tiger balm include:

Back pain

Tiger balm can soothe back pain and muscle strain by increasing circulation to the affected area. It also reduces inflammation, which helps speed healing.

Common colds

Tiger balm relieves congestion and sore throats by opening up breathing passages to prevent coughing and wheezing. It also loosens phlegm (mucus) so you can expel it more easily.

Congestion

If you have a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold, tiger balm can help clear your nasal passages by thinning mucus and relieving sinus pressure.

Headaches

Tiger balm relieves headaches caused by tension or stress by releasing endorphins in your brain — natural painkillers that make you feel good without causing drowsiness or addiction like prescription medications do!

Flu-related symptoms

Tiger balm helps relieve flu-related symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, coughs, and fever.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Tiger balm can help reduce the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis by improving blood flow and reducing muscle stiffness.

Side effects of tiger balm

While tiger balm is generally safe for use, it can cause some side effects if you use it incorrectly or for too long. These include:

Burning sensation.

Itching or rash.

Stinging or tingling sensation.

Irritation of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).

Other home remedies to try

Other home remedies that you can try in addition to tiger balm for plantar fasciitis include:

Massage

Massaging the affected area may help relieve pain caused by plantar fasciitis. This type of massage uses firm pressure over the entire foot to stretch and loosen tight muscles, improve circulation and relieve tension in surrounding joints, ligaments, tendons, and fascia — all of which can contribute to the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Massage your feet daily using a massage gun or golf ball to massage out knots and ease tension in your feet and calves.

Hot or Cold Therapy

Applying heat or cold therapy can help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, depending on which method works best for you personally according to your preferences and needs. For example, hot water bottles are often used for this purpose but cold packs may also work just as well depending on what feels best for each person’s needs.

Proper shoes

A good pair of shoes can go a long way toward preventing plantar fasciitis by distributing weight evenly across your feet and supporting your arches. Try getting shoes with cushioning in the heels, arch support and shock absorption features to make walking easier on your feet and help relieve pain associated with this condition.

Stretching

Stretching is one of the most important things you can do if you have plantar fasciitis. Stretching exercises help stretch out muscles, tendons, and ligaments that may be tight from overuse or injury. Stretching also increases blood flow to muscles and joints, which helps them heal faster after an injury.

Summary

In conclusion, the use of tiger balm for plantar fasciitis is highly recommended by a lot of people as well as experts. It has been known to be effective in relieving pains and is used by people who are suffering from several health issues. Tiger balm can calm the nerves, thereby reducing pain, it can help in relaxing your muscles, it reduces inflammation and swelling, and removes knots and soreness. Tiger balm for plantar fasciitis is a good way to treat the pain of this condition and make it possible for you to carry out your day-to-day activities without much discomfort.

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Author
Lucas Bonetti is a web developer from Italy. He enjoys using his skills to contribute to the development of blogging throughout his community. Lucas is passionate about open-source software and loves working on projects that make it easier for people to share their stories online. When he's not coding, Lucas likes to spend time with his wife and children, and go hiking near his home.
Photo of author
Author
Lucas Bonetti is a web developer from Italy. He enjoys using his skills to contribute to the development of blogging throughout his community. Lucas is passionate about open-source software and loves working on projects that make it easier for people to share their stories online. When he's not coding, Lucas likes to spend time with his wife and children, and go hiking near his home.