Using menthol on the skin acts in a similar way to capsaicin because it disrupts the pain signals going to your brain. A menthol rub can help relieve pain in the muscles, joints, and tendons of the hand. A study into how effective menthol is in relieving hand pain showed that it helped to relieve pain by 95%. The study said that menthol rubs should be considered as an effective alternative to regular analgesics to manage chronic pain.[11] You can also use the beneficial effects of menthol to relieve pain by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a carrier oil and then massage it into your hands. Also, there are topical pain relief lotions that contain this ingredient because of how effective it is at relieving pain.