Patches for back pain

Back pain occurs for various reasons, for example, heavy physical activity, sedentary work, injuries and diseases of the spine. To eliminate discomfort, tablets and injections are used more often, however, these dosage forms can cause serious negative reactions. There is a safer method of treatment - patches for back pain. These are transdermal agents that stick to the diseased area and slowly release drugs, providing a long-term therapeutic effect. Patches are safer to use, since the amount of active substances that penetrate into the blood is minimal. In addition, they are simple and effective to use. However, before you buy, you should know what types of patches exist, when and how they can be used.

Indications for the use of patches

The causes of back pain can be quite serious, so you should not try to solve the problem yourself. Visit a doctor who will diagnose and find out the cause of the pain. After that, you can ask a specialist if medicinal patches can be used.

Important!Before using the patches, it is necessary to exclude concomitant diseases, which can also appear as back pain. These include pathologies of the kidneys, respiratory organs, digestion and oncological formations.

Transdermal (TC) agents for the back and joints are used in the following cases:

• Osteochondrosis, which causes pain in the neck, chest segment or lower back.
• The presence of protrusions (protrusion of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the outer shell), hernias (prolapse of the nucleus pulposus between the vertebrae).
• Arthrosis or arthritis of the joints.
• Damage to the spinal cord or its roots due to displaced vertebrae.
• Back pain associated with injury, heavy physical work or prolonged sitting.
• Tight muscles around the spine.
• Compression of spinal nerves, etc.

As you can see, patches are used for inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the spine and joints.

Mechanism of action

Transdermal devices are intended for external use. The patch is attached to the painful area of the body, where it releases the medicine in doses. In this way, it helps to get rid of pain in the neck, back and bone joints.

The action of TCs is mainly aimed at relieving pain and inflammation, so they are recommended for use as part of complex therapy. Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system using only patches will not be effective. And they are great as a help.

TS have the following advantages:

• They are compact and convenient to use.
• The patient will not have to determine the dose, as the medicine will be supplied in the right amount.
• TS acts directly on the site of the lesion.
• The possibility of negative reactions is low, since the amount of active substances that penetrate into the blood is minimal.
• The active components of the patch do not interact with other drugs.

The therapeutic effect of TS varies, but they all consist of several layers:

• Fabric or synthetic base.
• A layer of medicinal substance that softens and begins to be absorbed under the influence of the heat of the human body.
• An adhesive layer that helps the patch adhere to the skin.
• Protective film to be removed before use.

The medicinal adhesive sticks to the diseased area, the medicinal layer softens, and the medicine penetrates deep into the skin, showing a therapeutic effect. The product acts directly on the source of pain and spasm. This method of treatment helps to avoid the negative effects of drugs on the gastrointestinal tract and the whole body.

Types of therapeutic plasters for the back and joints

Depending on the therapeutic effect, the following types of patches are distinguished:

• Anesthesia.This is a TS based on analgesics or anesthetics that reduce pain. Products containing NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation. They are used more often in the acute phase of spine diseases. TS, the adhesive layer of which contains anesthetics, only help to cope with pain, they do not affect the cause of its occurrence. The therapeutic effect is achieved by blocking surface receptors. Nanoplastics contain biologically active substances that affect pathological cells. Small nanoparticles surround the affected area, reducing unpleasant symptoms.
• ORTHOPEDICThe back contains chondroprotectors. The composition of the medicinal coating includes chondroitin, which protects the cartilage layers of the vertebrae and joints from damage and accelerates their recovery. They also contain glucosamine, which accelerates the regeneration of cartilage tissue. And thiamine saturates bone joints with nutrients, restores innervation and improves immunity.
• Phytoplasticscontain extracts of medicinal plants, essential oils, etc. They accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes in the damaged area, relieve pain and inflammation. Some products contain magnetic components that accelerate the penetration of active substances inside. The therapeutic effect of phytoplasts has not been confirmed by research, but, according to reviews, they are effective.
• Warm up.These TCs contain chili pepper or mustard seed extract. Heating the heat increases blood microcirculation, stimulates receptors and activates metabolic processes at the site of exposure. These products not only help to warm the tissues, but also improve their trophism and accelerate regeneration.
• Reflects heat.This group includes therapeutic adhesives containing rare metal nanopowder. They create a magnetic and infrared field in the body, which improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, reduces pain and inflammation, and heals tissues faster. They do not contain active ingredients, therefore they are considered the safest.

Reference.Most patches (except anesthetic products) have a complex effect. They accelerate the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to the injured area, then inflammation disappears faster, muscle spasms relax, cells are saturated with useful substances and tissue healing is accelerated.

To know exactly what kind of patches you should use in a particular case, you should consult your doctor.

The best tools

The question of which is the best patch to use when back pain occurs is quite important. It depends on the nature of the pain, the cause of its occurrence, contraindications, etc. A doctor will help you choose the most suitable medicine.

The best transdermal products:

• Pepper for back pain is the most popular pharmaceutical remedy. This is a tool with pepper extract applied to its base. It has a warming, distracting effect. You should keep the piece of pepper until the pain disappears and a burning sensation appears. The maximum exposure time is 48 hours. Pepper can be used to warm up muscles before exercise, to relieve symptoms after back injuries and also for diseases of the respiratory organs instead of mustard plasters. The price of the product depends on the size.
• An anti-inflammatory agent based on a derivative of phenylacetic acid. It helps to get rid of pain, swelling and reduces inflammation. Most often, TS is used for radiculitis, arthrosis and osteochondrosis. The patch can be left on the back or other area for no more than 24 hours, then you should take a short break. The therapeutic course lasts about 2 weeks.
• A patch based on a derivative of propionic acid is also a representative of NSAIDs. The active substance slowly penetrates the damaged area, showing a therapeutic effect. This medicine can be used twice a day.
• Best Japanese anesthetic patch. A layer of anesthesia is applied to its substrate. Patch helps to cope even with severe pain. The therapeutic effect lasts 3 hours. However, this product can suppress nervous reactions and is therefore not recommended for use before activities that require increased attention and precision.
• The Nanopatch contains a layer of tiny particles of rare earth metals that affect only the pathological cells. It is able to warm and stop inflammation. The adhesive is fixed on the back for 12 hours, and then a break is made. It can be used for 3 to 9 days.
• A patch based on activated carbon, powdered iron and salt has a pronounced warming effect. It relaxes tense muscles and relieves pain. The heating lasts for 12 hours, then you need to remove it and treat the skin with moisturizer.
• A phytoplast based on 10 medicinal plants is effective for radiculitis, degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs, arthrosis and myalgia (muscle pain). TS stimulates blood flow, relieves pain, reduces swelling and accelerates regeneration.

Also quite popular is a Thai patch based on camphor, peppermint oil, eucalyptus, menthol, etc. According to reviews, it helps relieve or stop back pain within minutes.

You can buy any of the drugs described above at many pharmacies or online.

Chinese transdermals

According to reviews from patients who have experienced the effects of Chinese patches, they help to quickly cope with back pain and rarely cause negative reactions. A major disadvantage of such products is that there are no clinical studies proving their effectiveness and safety.

Popular Chinese Patches for Back Pain:

• Patch with medicinal plant extracts, essential oils, venom from insects (scorpions, ants). It quickly relieves inflammation and pain, accelerates tissue restoration in the damaged area. The duration of using the heating compress is about 2 days, then you should take a break. You should use 6 to 8 patches per course.
• TC based on myrrh and boswellia is also suitable for patients with sensitive skin types, as it contains only plant substances. Before sticking the patch, you should massage the skin for a few minutes. The duration of wear is from 18 to 36 hours. Treatment may last several weeks.
• The patch is based on an extract of ginger, cinnamon, mint, chili pepper and is equipped with magnets that increase the effect of medicinal components. Such patch shows a therapeutic effect faster and brings relief to the patient. The product with magnets can be used for up to 2-3 weeks.
• TC containing about 20 medicinal plants that help to quickly relieve inflammation and pain. The therapeutic effect lasts up to 14 hours. The course of treatment can last from 15 to 20 days.
• A patch based on a whole complex of herbal ingredients, including safflower and Bornean camphor, is good for back pain. According to the manufacturer, the patch slows down the degenerative processes in the spine and accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues. The duration of use is 2 or 3 days, then a break of 5 hours is needed. You can use from 5 to 12 patches per course.

All products described above are uncertified and therefore unsafe. They can cause allergies as they contain a large amount of bioactive substances. Therefore, doctors advise abandoning them in favor of safer patches that have undergone clinical trials.

Precautions

There are few contraindications for using adhesive plaster for back pain:

• Pregnancy, lactation period.
• Hypersensitivity to patch components.
• The presence of cracks, scratches, open wounds, inflammation in the affected area.
• Age up to 15 years.
• Infectious diseases in the acute phase.
• The presence of oncological formations in the fixation area.
• Decreased blood clotting.

In other cases, the use of patches is allowed. But to avoid negative reactions, it is better to consult a doctor before using TC.

Careful.Heat patches cannot be applied to areas of the body where blood vessels are close to the skin. This is because of the risk of burning.

Side reactions after using patches are rare. Some people have experienced local irritation after using TC, but this disappears quickly after the product is removed.

Recommendations for use

Not all patients know how to use the patch. It is for them that the instructions for their use are presented below:

1. Before attaching the piece, wipe the desired area with a liquid containing alcohol.
2. Remove the protective film and stick to the healing plate.
3. Leave it for the required time and then carefully remove it.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated.

But often, problems arise while using the vehicle. For example, some patients are interested in whether it is possible to stick a piece of pepper on the back. If the pain is localized in the ridge, then fix the TS on the sides with the muscles surrounding it.

Careful.Before applying the patch to the back, it is recommended to do an allergy test. To do this, a part of it is fixed on the wrist; if after 15-30 minutes there is no negative reaction, then feel free to use it.

The related question is how long a vehicle is kept. The instructions for each patch indicate the recommended time, but it is better to rely on your feelings. Normally, even pepper equipment causes discomfort that can be tolerated. If the burning sensation is very strong, remove the product and consult a doctor.

If after a week of treatment the pain does not disappear, consult your doctor. A specialist will help you choose a more effective drug.

To easily remove the patch from irritated skin, use water or oil. The best option is to lie in the bath for a few minutes and then remove the adhesive.

hearing

Most patients are satisfied with the effect of back pain patches. They claim that the product helps to quickly get rid of pain and inflammation. Some people complain that they have allergies after using TC.

• "I suffered from back pain for a long time. I tried many ointments and creams, but they worked temporarily or did not help at all. Then, on the advice of a friend, I bought a nanoplaster. It did not work immediately, but after the course, the pain subsided and motor activity returned. After the break, I plan to take another course. "
• "I have tried many patches to relieve the symptoms of sciatica. And for myself, I have identified a few favorites - Japanese anesthetic and pepper plaster. During an exacerbation of the disease, I used an anesthetic-based patch and then attached aheating pads to improve blood circulation. This regimen allows me to get rid of pain for a long time. "
• "I often use patches for back pain, joint pain, headaches and colds. Over the years I have tried many patches, but the most effective were the Chinese magnet patch and the Japanese anesthetic patch. The patch basedin the poison of insects it caused me an allergy; a few minutes after fixing, a strong burning sensation and irritation appeared. I immediately removed the patch and did not use it again. "

Most important

Patches really help to reduce or completely stop back pain, but for this they must be used as part of complex therapy. There are sedatives, heaters, orthopedics and phytoplastics. When choosing a vehicle, you should take into account the diagnosis, age and the presence or absence of contraindications. It is better to entrust the choice of the medicinal product to the doctor. The specialist will tell you about the complications of its use. Doctors do not recommend the use of uncertified Chinese patches, although many people are satisfied with the effect of their use. But in any case, the choice is yours.