I would stay away from any kind of creams until you ask a doctor or pharmacist. The chemicals do absorb into your skin and there are definitely some types of creams that are unsafe. Stick with heating pad or hot water bottle until you can ask your doc. If you don't have a heat pad or water bottle, take a ziploc bag,fill it with hot water and wrap it in a rag or towel. You can also take a sock, fill it with dry rice and heat it in the microwave. That works wonderfully!!