These patches used to be amazing for the very bad osteo in my knees...slap one on each knee at night and I would be able to sleep relatively pain free, peel them off the next morning before showering. They have since reformulated them, and getting them to stick for even a few minutes is close to impossible.
The previous versions were super sticky and sometimes a little bit ouchy to peel off, but that didn't matter because they did such a great job at relieving the ache in my knees. I was their biggest fan and would tell people about them and give them out to people who had joint pain all the time.
Since they changed them, they just don't work. I guess because they barely adhere to skin, i feel like maybe the transmission of whatever the stuff on them is that relieves pain has no way to absorb into your skin since it's barely touching your skin.
I keep trying to use them since I bought a bunch of them at once, but even with leggings on to try to hold them in place they don't stick and the medicine doesn't get absorbed.
It makes me sad that such an amazing product "upgraded" and became essentially useless.
I'm still trying different products as a replacement for the old salonpas patches, I will update the review if and when I find something that works as well.

Having suffered over the past few days with a debilitating lower back ache (with sciatica's shooting pain down my legs), I had my husband pick up a package of Aspercream patches. Not only did they NOT help the pain, the patches wouldn't stick to my skin! My doctor had prescribed me a 30-day supply of lidocaine patches which my insurance refused to pay, and no wonder: $500.00 for 30 patches!!!! Instead, I found these patches on Amazon and ordered two packs. I put one patch on just the morning and it was activated within minutes! What a difference between the two products! I just placed an order for more and hope they arrive soon. They give off a wonderful, soothing feeling and I am feeling better already. I am taking them with me on vacation as I plan to return to my activities as soon as I am able (swimming, walking, kayaking, racquetball, etc.). At my age (early 60's), I can't afford to miss a day of exercise. SO HAPPY to have found this wonderful product!

LOVE Salon Pas - especially the largest patches!!
I have multiple pain issues, including fibromyalgia and arthritis, and pain in my hip & down my leg that started recently. I'd tried for years to find something - anything - to help me, just help me sleep - but nothing worked, including painkillers. I belonged to an online group that spoke highly of Salonpas patches, and after researching, I decided to try them. I found some locally, and though they were ridiculously small, I used a bunch of them all over my lower back, hips, and shoulder. And they really seemed to work! They pulled off too easily, because I tended to roll around in my sleep, and they didn't cover but a couple of inches each. Then, a few years ago, my area pharmacies finally started carrying these large patches, and I was thrilled! (I also started using a CPAP, which stopped me from rolling around when I sleep, which helped the patches stay in place...) These large patches were my answer. I really wish that they'd make a really large one, like the 7" capsicum patches - those would be perfect for my back and hips! But for now, I'm thrilled with these.
And I like the aroma of camphor & menthol - for me, it brings back pleasant childhood memories, so no problem here. :)

Salon pas do not contain any pain relievers, but does contain Camphor, Menthol and Methyl salicylate, which are strong topical analgesics. Basically this is a very hot/cold pad compress. I used it for my lower back and the feeling is intense and lasts hours. They can be cut into any shape you want to fit the circumstances of your area of pain.

One of the bad aspects to Salon pas is that the smell is very strong and can be smelled though clothing in public places. It also can permeate your sheets if you wear them to bed. It takes a washing to get it out. The last point is that these are very sticky and will not fall off. However if you are hairy, like I am, it is very very painful to remove them.

For the price and the amount of relief they can give, I'd recommend them, noting that you have to deal with the smell and the pain of removal.

I have been using Salonpas for about a year. My insurance does not cover other prescription pain relief patches. My doctor check Salonpas out and he said it was fine for me to use. I am very impressed with the product. I get instant relief. I have a shoulder with no cartilege, so every week or so the pain is bad enough for me to use a patch. Also, have a bad back, so I use it for that whenever my back flares up. The product works very well, and I would recommend it for anyone wanting to avoid shoulder or other joint surgery.