It's not just hair products either. According to some experts in the pet care industry, borrowing products meant for animals is a fast-growing trend. Recently, the storeowner of Sandhills Feed Supply in Southern Pines, N.C., Janet Fowler, has noticed an equine pain reliever that helps with human aches.

"Many customers walk in and ask for Absorbine Veterinary Gel -- and we know most of them use it on themselves as well as their animals!" says Fowler, "We use it ourselves and tell our customers we couldn't get along without it. And it's from a company that is over 120 years old so you can depend on them. Once a customer tries it, they usually come back and get another for a relative or friend -- it's a good product with a good reputation."

Absorbine Gel is a spearmint-scented gel with a trio of botanical extracts: calendula, echinacea and wormwood. The natural agents, combined with menthol to loosen stiff joints and reduce swelling, offer fast relief from joint pain, muscle aches and strains.

"For me, nothing compares to Absorbine Gel for pain relief," says Tom Bruno of New Canaan, Conn. "Old football injuries have left me with shoulder and lower back pain. I rub it on, and I experience hours of relief; I can go skiing, lift weights and work out. I like that it's made for horses. If it works on them, it sure can work for me."

Bruno isn't the only athlete to use Absorbine Gel to help maintain an active lifestyle.

"I started using Absorbine Gel seven or eight years ago to allow me to continue my active lifestyle -- I play hockey, run and work out regularly," says Eric Pomeroy of West Springfield, Mass. "I use it not only for pain, but to help loosen up before exercising and for post-workout relief. I would compare it to applying heat and ice in one shot. It's a great product."

If you're still curious, learn more about Absorbine on Facebook or at www.absorbine.com.