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 the discomfort, tablets and injections are used more often, but these dosage forms can cause serious side effects. There is a safer method of treatment - patches for back pain. These are transdermal agents that attach to the diseased 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 easy 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 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 understand the cause of the pain. You can then ask a specialist if medicated patches can be used.

important!Before using patches, it is necessary to rule out concomitant diseases, which can also manifest as back pain. These include pathologies of the kidneys, respiratory, digestive organs and oncological formations.

Transdermal means (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 tearing 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.
• 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 fixed to the painful area of the body, where it releases the drug in doses. Thus, it helps to get rid of pain in the neck, back and bone joints.

The action of TS 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 with the help of patches alone will not be effective. And they are great as an aid.

TS have the following advantages:

• They are compact and easy to use.
• The patient will not have to determine the dose, since the drug will be delivered in the right amount.
• TS acts directly on the lesion site.
• The probability of adverse 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 is different, but they all consist of several layers:

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

The medical sticker is attached to the diseased area, the drug layer is softened, and the drug 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 patches for back and joints

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

• Anesthesia.It is a TC based on analgesics or anesthetics that reduce pain. Products containing NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation. They are most often used in the acute stage of diseases of the spine. TS, the sticky layer of which 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 cartilaginous sheaths 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 herbs, essential oils, etc. They accelerate blood flow and metabolic processes in the damaged area, relieve pain and inflammation. Some products contain magnetic components that accelerate the penetration of the active substances inside. The therapeutic effect of phytoplasts has not been confirmed by research, but according to reviews, they are effective.
• I'm 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 site of impact. These products not only help to warm the tissues, but also improve their trophicity and accelerate regeneration.
• Reflects heat.This group includes therapeutic stickers that contain 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 tissues faster. They do not contain active components, which is why they are considered the safest.

reference.Most patches (except anesthetic products) have a complex effect. They accelerate the flow of blood and lymph fluid to the painful area, after which inflammation disappears faster, spasmodic muscles relax, cells are saturated with useful substances and tissue healing is accelerated.

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

The best means

The question of which is the best patch for back pain 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:

• The pepper patch for back pain is the most popular pharmaceutical remedy. It is a vehicle with pepper extract applied to its base. It has a warming, distracting effect. You need to keep the pepper patch until the pain disappears and a burning sensation appears. The maximum exposure time is 48 hours. A pepper plaster can be used to warm up muscles before training, relieve symptoms after back injuries, as well as for diseases of the respiratory organs instead of mustard plasters. The price of the product depends on the size.
• 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, after which 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.
• The best anesthetic Japanese patch. A layer of anesthetic is applied to its substrate. The patch helps to cope even with severe pain. The therapeutic effect lasts for 3 hours. However, this product can suppress nervous responses and is therefore not recommended to be used 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 sticker is fixed on the back for 12 hours, after which a break is taken. It can be used from 3 to 9 days.
• The paste based on activated carbon, iron powder and salt has a pronounced warming effect. It relaxes stiff muscles and relieves pain. The heating patch works for 12 hours, after which you need to remove it and treat the skin with a moisturizer.
• 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 in a few 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 effects of Chinese patches, they help to quickly deal with back pain and rarely cause side effects. A major drawback of such products is that there are no clinical studies to prove their effectiveness and safety.

Popular Chinese patches for back pain:

• Patch with extracts of medicinal plants, essential oils, poison for insects (scorpions, ants). It quickly relieves inflammation and pain, accelerates tissue recovery in the damaged area. The duration of using a warming compress is about 2 days, after which you should take a break. You should use 6 to 8 patches per course.
• TC based on myrrh and boswellia is suitable even for patients with sensitive skin, 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, hot red pepper and is equipped with magnets that enhance the effect of the medicinal components. Such a patch exhibits a therapeutic effect faster and brings relief to the patient. The product with magnet 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 plant components, including saffron 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. The duration of the reception is 2-3 days, after which a break of 5 hours is necessary. You can use from 5 to 12 patches per course.

All the 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 passed clinical trials.

Precautions

There are several contraindications to using a plaster for back pain:

• Pregnancy, breastfeeding 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 stage.
• Presence of oncological formations in the area of fixation.
• Reduced blood clotting.

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

attentionPatches with a warming effect cannot be stuck on areas of the body where blood vessels are located close to the skin. This is due to the risk of burning.

Adverse reactions after using the patches are rare. Some people have experienced local irritation after using TC, but this quickly disappears 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 sticking the patch, wipe the desired area with a liquid containing alcohol.
2. Remove the protective film and stick to the healing plate.
3. Leave for the required time and then carefully remove.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated.

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

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

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

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

Reviews

Most patients are satisfied with the effect of back pain patches. 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 lower 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 nanoplast. It did not work immediately, but after completing the course, the pain decreased and motor activity was restored. 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 applied a warming sticker 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. I've tried many patches over the years, but the most effective were the Chinese magnet patch and the Japanese anesthetic patch. The patch based on insect venom 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.

The 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 pain relievers, warming, orthopedic and phytoplastics. When choosing a vehicle, you must take into account the diagnosis, age and the presence or absence of contraindications. It is better to entrust the choice of medicine to a doctor. The specialist will tell you about the subtleties 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.