Back pain patches

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 more often used, however, these dosage forms can cause serious side effects. There is a safer method of treatment - back pain patches. These are transdermal agents that attach to the affected area and slowly release drugs, providing a long-lasting therapeutic effect. Patches are safer to use, because the amount of active substances that penetrate into the blood is minimal. In addition, they are simple and effective to use. However, before buying, you need to know what types of patches exist, when and how they can be used.

Indications for the use of the patch

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

Important!Before using the patch, it is necessary to rule out concomitant diseases that can also manifest as back pain. This includes pathologies of the kidneys, respiratory, digestive organs and oncological formations.

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

• Osteochondrosis, which causes pain in the neck, thoracic segment or lower back.
• The presence of protrusions (protrusion of the intervertebral disc without rupture of the outer shell), hernia (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.
• Strained 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 TC is mainly aimed at alleviating pain and inflammation, so they are recommended for use as part of complex therapy. Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system using only plasters will not be effective. And they are great as an aid.

TS has the following advantages:

• They are compact and practical to use.
• The patient will not have to determine the dose, because the medicine will be delivered in the right amount.
• TS acts directly on the lesion site.
• The probability of unwanted reactions is small, because 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 backing.
• A layer of medicinal substance that softens under the influence of the heat of the human body and begins to be absorbed.
• The adhesive layer that helps the patch adhere to the skin.
• Protective film that must be removed before use.

The medicinal sticker is stuck to the diseased area, the medicinal layer softens, and the medicine penetrates deep into the skin, exerting a therapeutic effect. The product acts directly on the source of pain and spasms. This method of treatment helps to avoid the negative effects of drugs on the gastrointestinal tract and the whole organism.

Types of therapeutic plasters for back and joints

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

• Anesthetic.This is TS based on analgesics or anesthetics that reduce pain. Products containing NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation. They are most often used in the acute phase of spinal disease. TS, whose sticky layer contains anesthetics, help to cope only 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. Tiny nanoparticles surround the affected area, reducing unpleasant symptoms.
• OrthopedicThe back patch contains chondroprotectors. The composition of the healing layer includes chondroitin, which protects the cartilage linings 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 speed up blood flow 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.
• Warming up.These TCs contain hot pepper or mustard seed extract. The heating patch improves blood microcirculation, stimulates receptors and activates metabolic processes at the point 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 stickers containing nanopowder of rare earth metals. They create a magnetic and infrared field on the body that improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, reduces pain and inflammation, and heals tissue faster. They do not contain active components, so they are considered the safest.

Reference.Most plasters (except products with anesthetic) have a complex effect. They accelerate the flow of blood and lymph fluid to the painful area, then inflammation disappears faster, spasmodic muscles relax, cells are saturated with useful substances, and tissue healing accelerates.

To know exactly which type of patch to use in a particular case, you should consult your doctor.

The best tool

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

The best transdermal products:

• Pepper plaster for back pain is the most popular pharmaceutical remedy. This is a vehicle with paprika extract applied to its base. It has a warming and distracting effect. You need to keep the pepper patch until the pain goes away and the burning sensation appears. The maximum exposure time is 48 hours. Pepper patch can be used to warm up muscles before exercise, relieve symptoms after back injuries, as well as for respiratory diseases instead of mustard patch. The price of the product depends on the size.
• Anti-inflammatory agent based on phenylacetic acid derivatives. 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 longer than 24 hours, after which a short break should be taken. The therapeutic course lasts about 2 weeks.
• A patch based on propionic acid derivatives 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.
• The best Japanese anesthetic patch. A layer of anesthetic is applied to its base. The plaster helps to solve even severe pain. The therapeutic effect lasts for 3 hours. However, this product can suppress nervous reactions and is therefore not recommended for use before activities that require increased attention and precision.
• Nanopatch contains a layer of tiny particles of rare earth metals that act only on pathological cells. It is able to warm and stop inflammation. The sticker is fixed on the back for 12 hours, and then there is a break. 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 tight muscles and relieves pain. The heating of the patch lasts 12 hours, and then you have to remove it and treat the skin with a moisturizing cream.
• Phytoplast based on 10 medicinal plants is effective for radiculitis, degenerative changes on 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, mint oil, eucalyptus, menthol, etc. According to reviews, it helps relieve or stop back pain within minutes.

You can buy any of the medicines described above in many pharmacies or on the Internet.

Chinese transdermal

According to the reviews of patients who have experienced the effect of Chinese plasters, they help to quickly cope with back pain and rarely cause unwanted reactions. The big disadvantage of such products is that there are no clinical studies proving their effectiveness and safety.

Popular Chinese Back Pain Patches:

• Plaster with medicinal plant extracts, essential oils, poisons for insects (scorpions, ants). It quickly relieves inflammation and pain, accelerates tissue regeneration in the damaged area. The duration of using the heating pad is about 2 days, and then you need to take a break. You need to use 6 to 8 patches per course.
• TC based on myrrh and boswellia is suitable even for patients with sensitive skin types, as it contains only plant substances. Before sticking the patch, it is necessary to massage the skin for several minutes. The duration of wearing is from 18 to 36 hours. Treatment may last several weeks.
• The patch is based on extracts of ginger, cinnamon, mint, hot pepper, and is equipped with magnets that enhance the effect of medicinal components. Such a patch exhibits a therapeutic effect faster and brings relief to the patient. The product with the magnet can be used for up to 2-3 weeks.
• TC contains about 20 medicinal herbs 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 components, including safflower and Bornean camphor, is good for back pain. According to the manufacturer, the patch slows down degenerative processes in the spine and accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissue. Duration of use is 2 to 3 days, then a break of 5 hours is required. You can use from 5 to 12 patches per course.

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

Precautions

There are several contraindications for using an adhesive patch 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 area of fixation.
• Reduced blood clotting.

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

Attention. Patches with a heating effect cannot be applied to parts of the body where blood vessels are close to the skin. This is due to the risk of burns.

Adverse reactions after using the patch 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. For them, instructions for their use are presented below:

1. Before sticking the patch, wipe the desired area with a liquid containing alcohol.
2. Peel off the protective film and stick to the healing board.
3. Leave for the required time and then carefully remove.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated.

But often problems arise when using the vehicle. For example, some patients are interested in whether it is possible to stick a pepper patch on the spine. If the pain is localized in the ridge area, then fix the TS from the side to the muscles surrounding it.

Attention.Before putting the patch on your back, it is recommended to do an allergy test. To do this, a piece is fixed on the wrist; if there is no negative reaction after 15-30 minutes, feel free to use it.

The relevant question is how long the vehicle is kept. The instructions for each patch state the recommended time, but it's better to rely on your own feelings. Normally, even a pepper device causes tolerable discomfort. If the burning sensation is severe, remove the product and consult a doctor.

If the pain does not disappear after a week of treatment, consult a 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 sticker.

Reviews

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

• "I suffered from pain in the lower back for a long time. I tried many ointments and creams, but they worked temporarily or did not help. Then, on the advice of a friend, I bought a nanoplaster. It did not work immediately, but after finishing the course, the pain subsided and the motoractivity is back. After the break I plan to attend another course. "
• "I have tried many plasters to relieve the symptoms of sciatica. And I have identified a few favorites for myself - the Japanese anesthetic and the pepper plaster. During the exacerbation of the disease, I used an anesthetic-based plaster, and then I applied a heating sticker to improve blood circulation. This regimen weit allows me to get rid of pain for a long time. "
• "I often use patches for back pain, joint pain, headaches and colds. I have tried many patches over the years, but the most effective were the Chinese magnet patch and the Japanese anesthesia patch. The insect venom patch caused an allergy in me a few minutes afterafter fixation, a strong burning sensation and irritation appeared. I immediately took off the patch and did not use it again. "

The most important

Patches really help to reduce or completely stop back pain, but for this they need to be used as part of a complex therapy. There are painkillers, heating, orthopedic and phytoplastics. When choosing a vehicle, it is necessary to take into account the diagnosis, age, presence or absence of contraindications. It is better to entrust the choice of medicine to a doctor. A specialist will tell you about the intricacies of its use. Doctors do not recommend using uncertified Chinese plasters, although many people are satisfied with the effect of their use. But in any case, the choice is yours.