When I have a sore back , I use Icy Hot Patches with Lidocane ( numbs your skin) Each one is about 4 x 5 inches and they're good for 8 hours . I'm on my 3rd box of them ! They do have a smell when you first open them up , but it goes away. Totally worth it !

I use arnica. It comes in various forms. Liquid, rub on roller, gel, spray, etc most don't have a scent. Walmart has some types.

https://www.google.com/search?q=arnica&oq=arnics&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.5559j0j7&client=ms-android-asus&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I use Aspercreme. It does not smell but when I could find it the one without aloe worked much better on my hip than the current one with aloe. One suggestion for any topical rub is to use only a small amount and smooth not rub it on. Some of the ones with menthol, capsaicin, or wintergreen can irritate or even burn your skin if rubbed on.

While they do smell for a while I also use the small Salonpas patches. The ones with lidocaine do little for me. For my achy hands I use good old fashion Vicks.

I like Aspercreme. In fact, I just put some on my sore foot awhile ago.

I love the smell of A-535!!! But it's available unscented now.

Blue-emu. No odor and it works.

always, as you can see, there are several options for topical analgesics. I've used many and almost always see some relief. Be sure to read and follow directions when you use a new product.

always1stepbehind - I suggest that you see if unscented Myoflex is available in the U.S. I used to buy it in Canada but it became impossible to find and the drugstores started to carry Voltaren which does have an odor that supposedly disappears in short order - well in some of us it doesn't - the odor increases. I obviously fall into the latter category.

I contacted the maker of Myoflex (Bayer, Canada) and was advised that the product isn't being sold in Canada any longer - but no mention was made of the U.S. There are many things that we used to be able to buy here that we no longer can.

The A-535 as mentioned by Jasdip does come in unscented but it does not absorb the same way as the Myoflex did - I have a couple of tubes on the go - my husband can use the Voltaren, but prefers the A-535 unscented - but agrees that Myoflex was the best.

The active ingredient in Myoflex is the same chemical in Aspercreme, trolamine salicylate. The active ingredient in Voltaren (diclofenac) is of concern to me personally. So much so that I refused a prescription from my doctor.

The numbing chemical Lidocaine 4% is available over-the-counter now. Aspercreme is one brand. Salonpas is another brand; only some of their products contain lidocaine. I can buy a box of 15 Salonpas w/lidocaine 4% at Costco for $16.49. They are large enough that I can sometimes use half a patch at a time where I have back pain. You're to wear one for no more than 8 hours.

I like Biofreeze. The smell doesn't last long.

I like Blue Emu and now they make it with Lidocaine. Good stuff and no smell.

A caution with the products with lidocaine. It can apparently build up within your body with constant use. Look up lidocaine toxicity. Since I garden among other things since talking to my doctor about this I do not use products that I would be putting on my body for more than a few days.

rhizo-1 - Yes, diclofenac is the active ingredients in the OTC sold Voltaren gel. People often use too much of the OTC gels thinking that they will not be as harmful over the long term as taking the actual pills - but they certainly can be. I believe that several years ago a U.S. runner died from overuse of such a gel - I don't know which gel she was using or if she mixed them.

I expect that since you referred to refusing a prescription from your doctor that he/she wanted to prescribe the pills - unless in the U.S. you can get a script for the gel - in Canada, you can't - at least not where I live, if it is sold OTC. In my case I guess I don't need to worry since I do have issues with so many products - good thing that I am relatively healthy for my age.

The runner died of apparently methyl salicylate poisoning. She spread it all over her body in the attempt to prevent the cramping that some distance runners can have. Many of the things do have wintergreen in them as it does relieve muscle problems but it was her overdoing it all at one time that lead to her death.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19208195/ns/health-fitness/t/sports-cream-warnings-urged-after-teens-death/