Unlike products such as heat patches and cooling gels that work by only cooling or heating the skin, Voltarol Emulgel P contains a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) called diclofenac which targets pain at its source. See my low back pain tutorial for extremely detailed information about medications for back pain. However, it probably does not work well for deeper tissues in most cases. Voltaren Emulgel® Original effectively relieves back, knees, neck, and shoulders pain caused by minor injuries and reduces inflammation in joints and muscles. Back pain, especially lower back pain, is one of the most common causes of body pain. Look at the symptoms and causes, as well as how to relieve back pain. Look at the symptoms and causes, as well as how to relieve back pain. About Voltarol® Voltarol® is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever which provides up to 3 times more effective pain relief than non-medicated gels. Voltarol Back and Muscle Pain Relief Gel and Voltarol Osteoarthritis Joint Pain Relief Gel should be rubbed gently into the skin. Depending on the size of the affected site to be treated 2-4g (a circular shaped mass approximately 2.0-2.5cm in diameter) should be applied 3 - 4 times a day. Learn about back pain. Back pain, especially lower back pain, is one of the most common causes of body pain. Here we look at the symptoms and causes, as well as how to relieve back pain. I was prescribed both the Voltaren pills and gel but I find more relief from the gel. The gel seems to work on my nerve pain by 'numbing' it, if you will, and it takes about 10-15 minutes for the pain to go down but I can feel it as the pain does go down. Pain Relief How does Voltarol work NSAIDs and Pregnancy Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis Pains & Treatments Neck Pain Shoulder Pain Back Pain Hip Pain Wrist Pain Knee Pain Foot and Ankle Pain Muscle Pain Joint Pain Common Injuries Our Products Voltarol Joint Pain Relief 2.32% Gel Voltarol Back and Muscle Pain Relief 1.16% Gel Voltarol 12 Hour Joint Pain Relief 2.32% Gel Voltarol Back. How does Voltarol gel work? Voltarol gels contain the active ingredient diclofenac diethylammonium, which is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).