Arm and shoulder pain relief
There are many causes of arm and shoulder pain, but effective pain relief can help you get back to doing the things you love. Whether you’ve got a tennis elbow, or you’ve gone too hard at the gym, Icy Hot® Ice + Heat Therapy* helps you find the relief you need while you recover.
PRO Massaging Balm
- HSA/FSA
- PRO
- No-Mess
- Balm
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Icy Hot® PRO Pain Relief Massaging Balm delivers fast, targeted relief with two maximum-strength ingredients that work on more pain points.**
PRO No Mess
- PRO
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Get fast-acting, next-level pain relief** with Icy Hot® PRO No-Mess.
Nighttime Recovery No-Mess
- HSA/FSA
- Nighttime
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
It’s the fast-acting, targeted pain relief you love, infused with a crafted fragrance blend of lavender and eucalyptus to help you unwind before bed.
No-Mess Roll On
- HSA/FSA
- No-Mess
- Original
- Roll On
- Back Pain Relief
- Menthol
Get fast-acting pain relief with Icy Hot® No-Mess Roll On. Roll on powerful pain relief that you can feel working instantly.*
Revive & Recovery No-Mess Pain Relief Roll On
- No-Mess
- Roll On
- Menthol
Explore the Icy Hot Revive & Recovery range - our popular No-Mess Pain Relief applicator now available in three NEW fragrances. Formulated with 8% Menthol.
Original Dry Spray
- Original
- Spray
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Spray-on powerful pain relief that you can feel working instantly*.
PRO Dry Spray
- PRO
- Spray
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Get PRO-level pain relief with a formula that dries quickly, works at any angle, and relieves achy muscles and joints.
Original Cream
- Cream
- Original
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Relieve pain with targeted contrast therapy✝.
Advanced Cream
- Advanced
- Cream
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Powerful, fast-acting pain relief through targeted therapy. It includes two maximum-strength pain relievers that work on more pain points**.
Original Balm
- Cream
- Original
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Relieve pain fast with Icy Hot® Balm. It works quickly, penetrating down to your nerves to help you get back in the game.
Pro Patch
- PRO
- Patch
- Menthol
- Back Pain Relief
Targeted relief, no mess, all performance. The PRO Pain Relief Patch sticks where it hurts, delivering fast-acting, next-level relief** for sore muscles and joints.
Arm, Neck And Leg Patch
- HSA/FSA
- Lidocaine
- Patch
- Menthol
Targeted, fast-acting pain relief for your arms, neck, and legs that you can wear for up to eight hours.
FAQs about arm and shoulder pain relief
Why does my shoulder hurt when I lift my arm?
Sometimes the top edge of your shoulder blade rubs against the rotator cuff underneath it. This is called shoulder impingement syndrome and it causes pain when the arm is lifted. 1
What causes arm and shoulder pain?
Arm and shoulder pain could have many causes. Common injuries that are caused by overuse include tennis elbow, tendonitis, and a rotator cuff tear. Other causes include a pinched nerve, cervical disk herniation, or shoulder impingement syndrome. Arm and shoulder pain could also be caused by an underlying health condition, like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or heart-related conditions. 1
How to relieve nerve pain in shoulder and arm?
Nerve pain due to a pinched nerve usually resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. Over-the-counter painkillers can be used to help manage the pain, and Ice and heat treatments help to reduce swelling.2 Icy Hot® is available over the counter to provide temporary relief of minor aches and pain of muscles and joints associated with shoulder and arm pain.
When should I be worried about arm and shoulder pain?
You should also consult a doctor for arm and shoulder pain if:
- You have sustained a trauma to your arm or shoulder.
- Your pain gets worse after exercise.
- You have severe pain and swelling.
- You are struggling to move your arm as usual.
- Your pain doesn’t clear up with treatment at home.
- You experience sudden or prolonged pain.
Seek medical attention urgently if you have severe arm or shoulder pain that comes on quickly and is accompanied by chest pain as this could be a sign of a heart attack. 1
Why can’t I put my arm behind my back without feeling pain?
If you have a shoulder injury, it may be difficult to achieve a normal range of motion. 3
Can carpal tunnel cause arm pain?
Yes, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause arm pain due to the median nerve in the wrist being compressed. 1
Can tennis elbow cause shoulder pain?
Yes, tennis elbow can cause shoulder pain as more stress is put on the joint to compensate for the elbow injury. 4
When to see a doctor for arm or shoulder pain?
Most arm pain may ease up with rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever. But some symptoms are worth taking seriously. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you notice:
- Sudden, severe arm, shoulder, or back pain—especially alongside chest pain or pressure, which could signal a heart attack
- A visible injury to your arm, wrist, or hand
- Pain that worsens with activity but eases with rest
- Significant swelling paired with severe arm pain
- Trouble moving your arm normally
- Arm pain that isn't improving after a few days of home care1
If you've had an acute shoulder injury and the pain is intense, seek medical care as soon as you can. If shoulder discomfort is milder, it may be okay to rest for a few days and see if things improve on their own. But if your symptoms stick around or start to feel worse, it's time to check in with a doctor. 3
Note: Use all products only as directed. Icy Hot products containing counterirritants are indicated for temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated with: arthritis, simple backache, strains, sprains, bruises. Icy Hot products containing Lidocaine are indicated for the temporary relief of pain. For questions about your specific situation, talk to your healthcare provider for further advice.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Arm pain: causes & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2024 Feb 19 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/arm-pain
- Cleveland Clinic. Pinched nerve: what it is, causes, symptoms & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2024 Jun 25 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6481-pinched-nerves#management-and-treatment
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Shoulder pain and common shoulder problems [Internet]. Rosemont (IL): AAOS; [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-pain-and-common-shoulder-problems
- Nabil BA, Ameer MA, Abdelmohsen AM, Hanafy AF, Yamani AS, Elhafez NM, Elhafez SM. The impact of tennis and golfer's elbow on shoulder external rotators and abductors' peak torque. J Sport Rehabil [Internet]. 2020;29(4):469-475 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31034312
*Refers to cooling and warming sensations.