People always ask me if I get lots of aches and joint pains from running. Surprisingly, I was in more pain post-marathon from trying some new exercise classes that involved rowing, kettlebells and barre. Ooh boy. I was super stiff and achy – especially my lower back. Luckily before my post marathon exercise fest, I was contacted by Phi Naturals to see if I wanted to check out their Joint Repair Products. Phi Naturals was started by two physicians and their products are formulated by the doctors with the assistance of chemists, herbalists and nutritionists. They sent me Joint Repair Excel and Multiflex Excel Joint Pain Cream. Both products are all natural, made in the USA at an FDA-registered lab and come with a full money back guarantee.
Multiflex Excel topical cream provides fast pain relief. They say, “Its powerful ingredients work to soothe aching joints or sore muscles on contact.” The active ingredients are menthol (11%) and camphor (13%) and other ingredients include aloe vera and coconut oil. The full ingredient list is: Menthol, Camphor, Bromelain, Aloe Vera, Devil’s Claw, Horse Chestnut, Rosemary, MSN, Glucosamine, Boswellia and Fulvic minerals.
I tried this after the marathon post my flight and sitting all day for work. My lower back was very tight and this warmed and soothed it really well. After my rowing and kettlebells class, my back was in knots. I used a pea sized amount of this cream on my back and it really helped to loosen it up. I used it twice a day for a few days and will definitely use this again after races or other ill-advised adventures where I find myself terribly sore. This smells like Tiger Balm. The smell is strong but not unpleasant and it really works to minimize the ache/stiffness quickly and naturally.
The Joint Repair Excel product contains collagen and hyularonic acid which is intended to support joint health. The supplement is intended for long term use to nourish the cartilage and joints. Just like the folks who use bone broth and such, the Phi Naturals team is taking a page from the past when many broths contained collagen, joint and bones from using the whole animal in cooking.
I have used this supplement for a few days so far, so I can’t weigh in on whether it works or not. I am interested to use it for 30 – 60 days to see if I notice any difference. The taste is light and pleasant. It mixes in well with water. Despite many, many miles of running and countless people suggesting that I “must have bad [insert joint here],” I don’t. That said, I am willing to try new, all natural options to keep running strong for a long, long time. I’ll be back with a report in a few months!
You can find Phi Naturals on their website or on Amazon. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Please note: I received these items at no cost in exchange for an honest product review. All opinions are my own. Also, Phi Naturals’ product statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not proven to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases or conditions. Consult your healthcare practitioner before starting a supplement regimen.