The subject-matter of the present invention is the use of a therapeutic composition comprising, in an applying carrier, at least one essential oil for relieving muscle and/or joint pain in an animal subject, wherein said composition topically treats an area of the skin of said subject, characterized in that said composition comprises methyl salicylate, which constitutes, with at least one essential oil of the composition containing same in only a small amount or not at all, an active agent within which the rate of transport of the methyl salicylate through the skin is increased by virtue of the oil, which is an essential oil.
