If you're looking for immediate soothing, icing an inflamed joint for 20 minutes -not more-can reduce swelling and ease discomfort. And for stifness, heat can loosen tight muscles and tissues around a sore joint. You can also get temporary relief of mild or moderate pain with topical creams and gels. Use them on joints that are closest to the surface of you skin-like those in your hands and feet. These preperations usually come with one of three pain-suppressing active ingredients. The first option is salicylate: This is the same pain fighting substance as aspirin. Second is menthol. Menthol creates a warm/cold sensation that lessens your ability to feel pain. And the third option is capsaicin, which stops your nerve cells from sending pain signals.