AKRON, Ohio — Performance Health plans to launch Biofreeze topical pain reliever over the counter at retail stores beginning this fall.

The company said Saturday that Biofreeze cold therapy gel will be sold at drug store, supermarket and mass merchant retailers. The product — which alleviates pain from backaches, arthritis, sore muscles and joints, sprains and strains — has thus far been available only via the pharmacy and through health care professionals such as chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and podiatrists.

Described as a safe, effective option for pain sufferers, Biofreeze is non-systemic and non-narcotic, and it contains no NSAIDs, salicylates or addictive substances. The topical contains U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-grade menthol to provide fast-acting pain relief and has no parabens and propylene glycol.

Biofreeze comes in its signature green gel and in a dye-free colorless gel. When Biofreeze is applied, its menthol binds with temperature-sensitive receptors in the skin to modulate pain signals through the body’s natural pain relieving systems, according to Performance Health.

“Our expansion into retail will expose more people to the power of both Biofreeze and our partners, this country’s talented pain relief professionals,” stated Ethan Pochman, vice president global marketing at Performance Health. “The success of Biofreeze and its army of supporters rally around one simple fact: It’s proven to work. In addition to being the No. 1-recommended brand of pain relief professionals, Biofreeze is also the No. 1 topical pain reliever recommended by retail pharmacists, and the topical pain relief brand most searched for on the Internet. That speaks to 25 years of pain relief that really works.”