Osteoarthritis
"I used capsaicin for relief of neck pain (eventually resolved by surgery) &amp; now for very painful arthritic knees. 



It was very effective for the neck pain AFTER i slowly built up to effective dose.  Currently trying to reach therapeutic level for knees -- slow going due to hot weather &amp; sweating.



Capsaicin can cause very bad burning pain if it gets wet during bathing or sweating before one has built tolerance.  In fact, i swore off it twice due to agonizing burning before learning to manage the early months of use much more carefully &amp; start low &amp; slow (as I&#039;m doing now with knees).  However it&#039;s a great pain treatment once you learn to use it carefully &amp; build tolerance.  Wash hands twice or use gloves to avoid possible eye contact!"