This stuff works great. The pain goes away immediately, and then you get a little burning sensation; the active ingredient behaves kind of like cinnamon, and smells similar as well. The burning doesn't really hurt, it just tingles a little; unless of course you apply too much. These little jars don't hold much, but you don't need much. If you scoop a glob on your finger and apply a thick layer across your skin you'll learn what bad sunburn feels like; I like to just slide my finger along the surface until it melts, then take the slick coated fingertip to the muscle and apply this stuff sparingly. Rub it in quickly, and reach for more if you need it. I like Tiger Balm because it doesn't contain methyl salicylate like Ben-Gay or IcyHot. Arielle Newman, died April 3 2007 age 17, overdose of methyl salicylate absorbed through the skin; she was using cream and patches in excess. The poisoning occurs slowly, you don't just slap it on and die; so I avoid those kinds of creams and stick with Tiger Balm.