How it works

The science of MEDISTIK

Seriously Strong Pain Relief That Works!

Learn how MEDISTIK's three easy to use applications work well on their own, or together as part of the integrated pain management system to assist you with managing pain.

The strong one

Many people are frustrated with topical pain relievers because most analgesics only contain small amounts of active ingredients called counterirritants whose only purpose is to temporarily mask pain for short-term relief.

MEDISTIK goes beyond masking pain. MEDISTIK PRIMES your body by attacking pain and inflammation so you can PERFORM at your best, then assist with RESTORING your muscles and joints for long-lasting relief.

MEDISTIK’s high percentage of active ingredients and its use of Methyl Salicylate, a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), assists with providing relief by blocking pain signals. This helps with longer-term recovery by blocking the enzymes that cause inflammation, the main cause of pain, while increasing blood and oxygen flow, relaxing tight muscles and enabling mobility. Combined, the medical action and power of MEDISTIK’s ingredients helps provide long-term pain relief.

Easy to use

MEDISTIK is simply applied to the skin for targeted action to affected muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.

MEDISTIK is a strong alternative to oral medications. MEDISTIK does not have the internal or gastrointestinal side effects found in many oral or injected Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

CAUTION: If you are allergic to salicylates (Aspirin), please use our Ice Natural Roll-on, as it does not contain Methyl Salicylate. If you use any medications, always consult your doctor.

MEDISITK is very easy to use, without messy creams or getting the product on your hands, thanks to our stick, spray or roll-on applicators. There is no need to worry about washing hands. Just apply and go.

The science of pain

Pain can be our body’s best friend and worst enemy. It can save us from additional harm or cause us great discomfort.

As our friend, pain acts as an early warning signal when injured. It alerts our body that something is wrong and protects us from repeated injury or more serious damage. At the same time, inflammation is triggered and oxygen and blood are routed to the site of injury. This is our body’s way of protecting and healing itself.

Pain can also be our enemy because it hurts, seizes up our muscles, creates inflammation and stops us from moving, which can often be essential to healing. With some types of chronic pain, the body’s pain system malfunctions, causing us severe unnecessary or excessive ongoing pain.

Causes of pain include injury from trauma or shock, repetitive motion or overuse; muscle strains, soreness, pulls or tears; improper warm up and cool down; poor form and posture; stress and tension; autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis; neurological and muscle disorders; infection; obstructed blood flow, or drug side effects.

MEDISTIK works to manage pain by:

1. Assists in reducing inflammation at the source

2. Helps increase circulation, oxygen and blood flow

3. Assist in blocking pain signals to the brain

4. Helping restore muscles and joints

Methyl Salicylate, Menthol, Camphor, Peppermint Oil and Eucalyptus Oil are the active ingredients in MEDISTIK products, that prime your muscle and joints to help you perform at your best by dealing with pain.

MEDISTIK helps reduce inflammation

MEDISTIK works by targeting the enzymes that cause inflammation, the number one source of pain throughout the body.

When you get injured, enzymes in your body create chemicals that cause pain and inflammation, often experienced as redness, swelling, and warmth as blood rushes to deliver oxygen to the area. Painful inflammation can last many days as your body goes through the healing process.

Methyl Salicylate (the main ingredient in Aspirin) is an organic compound. It is a key active ingredient in our Extra Strength Dual Action Stick and Spray. Methyl Salicylate is a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that assists with decreasing inflammation by blocking the enzyme processes that cause inflammation and pain.

PRO TIP: By using MEDISTIK before an activity, you may lower the possibility of experiencing pain by priming and relaxing your body and reducing the chance of inflammation.

MEDISTIK helps with oxygen and blood flow

When you hurt yourself, the body releases chemicals near the site of an injured blood vessel that causes it to tighten. Injury can disrupt the blood supply to the affected tissue, reducing flow of oxygen to these cells.

Tight muscles, stiff joints, and old injuries all require an increase in blood flow to help manage pain. Oxygen and nutrient rich blood help promote healing and increases tissue extensibility.

Applied directly to the area of pain, MEDISTIK’s active ingredients increase vasodilation. This action opens up blood vessels to increase blood and oxygen flow to the affected area and attracts reparative cells. Tight muscles relax, while stiff joints regain some range of motion and scar tissue from old injuries can begin to break up. Our body’s level of stress is reduced, helping to accelerate pain relief and the healing process.

PRO TIP: By using MEDISTIK before a therapeutic activity, such as massage, physiotherapy and stretching/mobility exercises, MEDISTIK helps increase mobility, enabling deeper and more effective treatment.

MEDISTIK assists with blocking pain signals

When you are injured, local nerve cells send pain signals to the spinal cord and brain, telling us to stop what we are doing. The challenge is that the sensation of pain often continues even after you removed yourself from a painful situation. This sensation creates discomfort and limits your ability to move, stopping you from the movement that may help you recover.

All MEDISTIK products include active ingredients known as counterirritants that produce a heating or cooling “irritation” by stimulating sensory receptors in the skin to block those pain signals. This pain relief process is called the Gate Theory of Pain discovered by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall in 1965.

PRO TIP: Use MEDISTIK Fast-Acting Spray right after experiencing pain. The Spray delivers immediate relief through a cooling sensation, while also absorbing into the muscles and joints to directly address inflammation. Then apply MEDISTIK Long-Lasting Extra Strength Stick to lock in the treatment for lasting recovery.

MEDISTIK supports lasting therapeutic results

MEDISTIK products are formulated to address inflammation, the main source of pain. This along with other benefits, such as increasing blood flow and blocking pain signals, assists your body before and after activity, as well as aid in therapy and rehabilitation.

MEDISTIK easily integrates with clinical therapies such as physiotherapy, massage, ultrasound, laser, aromatherapy, acupressure, exercise, and joint and spine mobilization. Ask your clinician about using MEDISTIK in your treatment!

PRO TIP: MEDISTIK is used by over 4,500 health care professionals who tell us that by applying MEDISTIK before a treatment, they are able to work deeper and more effectively with their patients. They also highly recommend MEDISTIK for home pain self-management in between treatments.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the recommended way to use the Spray + Stick together?

The page’s “pro tip” suggests: use the Fast-Acting Spray right after pain for immediate cooling sensation and absorption, then apply the Long-Lasting Extra Strength Stick to “lock in” the treatment for lasting recovery.

How does MEDISTIK work in simple terms?

MEDISTIK is built as an integrated pain management system (stick / spray / roll-on) that supports pain management by: assisting in reducing inflammation at the source, helping increase circulation and oxygen/blood flow, assisting in blocking pain signals, and helping restore muscles and joints.

What does “PRIME, PERFORM & RESTORE” mean?

It’s a 3-step way to use MEDISTIK around activity and recovery:

PRIME: prep and relax the area (often before activity)

PERFORM: support mobility while you stay active

RESTORE: support muscles/joints for lasting relief after activity or treatment

Is MEDISTIK just “masking pain” like most topicals?

MEDISTIK positions itself as going beyond short-term masking, explaining that many topicals rely on small amounts of counterirritants mainly for temporary relief—while MEDISTIK emphasizes a high percentage of active ingredients and a system designed to address both pain and inflammation.

Why does MEDISTIK create a hot/cold sensation?

MEDISTIK explains that its products include counterirritants that create a heating or cooling “irritation” by stimulating sensory receptors in the skin—helping block pain signals (the page references the Gate Theory of Pain).

How does MEDISTIK support inflammation management?

The page states that MEDISTIK targets enzymes involved in inflammation and highlights Methyl Salicylate as assisting with decreasing inflammation by blocking enzyme processes linked to inflammation and pain.