Back pain occurs due to various reasons, such as heavy physical activity, sedentary work, injuries and spinal diseases. Pills and injections are more often used to eliminate discomfort, but these dosage forms can cause serious side effects. There is a safer method of treatment - plasters for back pain. These are transdermal agents that attach to the diseased area and slowly release the drugs, providing a long-term therapeutic effect. The use of patches is safer, as the amount of active substances that penetrate into the blood is minimal. They are also easy and efficient to use. But before you buy, you should know what types of fixes exist, when and how they can be used.
Indications for the use of patches
The causes of back pain can be quite serious, so don't try to solve the problem on your own. Consult a doctor who will diagnose and find out the cause of the pain. After that, you can ask a specialist whether the patch can be used.
Important!Before using the patches, concomitant diseases, which may also manifest as back pain, must be ruled out. These include pathologies of the kidneys, respiratory organs, 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, chest segment or lower back.
- The presence of protrusions (protrusion of the intervertebral disc without tearing of the outer shell), hernias (prolapse of the nucleus pulposus between the vertebrae).
- Arthrosis or arthritis.
- 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, the 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 neck, back and bone joint pain.
The effect of TCs is primarily aimed at alleviating pain and inflammation, so their use is recommended as part of complex therapy. Treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system with plasters alone will not be effective. And they are great for help.
TS has the following advantages:
- They are compact and convenient to use.
- The patient does not need to determine the dose, as the drug is delivered in the correct amount.
- TS acts directly at the site of the lesion.
- The probability of side effects is low, since the amount of active substances entering the blood is minimal.
- The active components of the patch do not interact with other medications.
The therapeutic effect of TS is different, but each consists of several layers:
- Fabric or synthetic base.
- A layer of medicinal material that softens and begins to be absorbed by the heat of the human body.
- An adhesive layer that helps the patch adhere to the skin.
- Protective film that must be removed before use.
The medicine sticker is glued to the diseased area, the medicine layer softens, the medicine penetrates deep into the skin and has 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 can be distinguished:
- Anesthetic. This is a TS based on painkillers or anesthetics that reduce pain. Products containing NSAIDs help relieve pain and inflammation. It is most often used in the acute stage of spinal diseases. TS, the adhesive layer of which contains anesthetics, only helps to treat 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 medical layer includes chondroitin, which protects the cartilage lining of the vertebrae and joints from damage and accelerates their healing. They also contain glucosamine, which accelerates the regeneration of cartilage tissue. And thiamine saturates the bone joints with nutrients, restores innervation and improves immunity.
- Phytoplasticsherbal extracts, essential oils, etc. containThey speed up blood flow and metabolic processes in the injured area, relieve pain and inflammation. Some products contain magnetic components that accelerate the penetration of active ingredients. The therapeutic effect of phytoplasts has not been confirmed by research, but according to opinions, they are effective.
- Warming up.These TCs contain hot pepper or mustard seed extract. The heating patch 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 speed up regeneration.
- It reflects heat.Therapeutic stickers containing rare earth nanopowder belong to this group. 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 ingredients, so they are considered the safest.
Reference.Most patches (except products containing anesthetic) have a compound effect. They speed up the flow of blood and lymph fluid to the painful area, then the inflammation disappears faster, the spasmodic muscles relax, the cells are saturated with useful substances, and the healing of the tissues is accelerated.
To know exactly what type of patch to use in a particular case, consult your doctor.
The best tool
The question of which patch is best for back pain is quite topical. It depends on the nature of the pain, the cause of its occurrence, contraindications, etc. The doctor will help you choose the most suitable treatment.
The best transdermal products:
- Wine patch for back pain is the most popular medicine. It is a vehicle with paprika extract at its base. It has a warming and distracting effect. You need to keep the paprika patch until the pain disappears and a burning sensation appears. The maximum exposure time is 48 hours. The paprika patch can be used to warm up the muscles before training, to alleviate symptoms after back injuries, and also in the case of respiratory diseases instead of the mustard patch. The price of the product depends on the size.
- An anti-inflammatory agent based on a phenylacetic acid derivative. It helps to get rid of pain, swelling and reduces inflammation. Most often, TS is used to treat radiculitis, arthrosis and osteochondrosis. The patch can be left on the back or other area for up to 24 hours, after which you should take a short break. The therapeutic course lasts about 2 weeks.
- A patch based on a propionic acid derivative is also a representative of NSAIDs. The active ingredient slowly penetrates the damaged area and exerts a therapeutic effect. This medicine can be used twice a day.
- The best anesthetic Japanese patch. An anesthetic layer is applied to its base. The patch helps to cope even with severe pain. The therapeutic effect lasts for 3 hours. However, this product can suppress nervous reactions, so it is not recommended to use it before activities that require increased attention and precision.
- The nanopatch contains a layer of tiny particles of rare earth metals that only affect the diseased cells. It is able to warm and stop inflammation. The sticker is fixed on the back for 12 hours and then they take a break. Can be used for 3-9 days.
- The patch based on activated carbon, iron powder and salt has a pronounced warming effect. It relaxes spasmodic muscles and relieves pain. The heating patch lasts for 12 hours, after which it must be removed and the skin treated with a moisturizing cream.
- Phytoplast based on 10 herbs is effective for radiculitis, degenerative changes of the discs, arthrosis and myalgia (muscle pain). TS stimulates blood flow, relieves pain, reduces swelling and accelerates regeneration.
Camphor, peppermint oil, eucalyptus, menthol, etc. are also very popular. based Thai patch. It is said to help relieve or stop back pain within minutes.
You can buy any of the medicines described above at many pharmacies or online.
Chinese transdermal agents
According to patients who have experienced the effects of Chinese plasters, they help to quickly cope with back pain and rarely cause side effects. A huge disadvantage of such products is that there are no clinical studies to prove their effectiveness and safety.
Popular Chinese plasters for back pain:
- Patch with herbal extracts, essential oils, insect venom (scorpions, ants). It quickly relieves inflammation and pain, and accelerates tissue recovery in the damaged area. The duration of the warming compress is about 2 days, after which you should take a break. You should use 6-8 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 applying the patch, you should massage the skin for a few minutes. Wear time 18-36 hours. The treatment may last several weeks.
- The patch is based on extracts of ginger, cinnamon, mint, and chili pepper and is equipped with magnets that enhance the effect of the medicinal components. Such a patch exerts its therapeutic effect faster and brings relief to the patient. The magnetic product can be used for up to 2-3 weeks.
- TC with about 20 herbs that quickly relieve inflammation and pain. The therapeutic effect lasts up to 14 hours. The treatment course can last 15-20 days.
- A patch based on a whole complex of plant ingredients, including saffron and camphor from Borneo, is good for back pain. According to the manufacturer, the patch slows down the degenerative processes of the spine and accelerates the regeneration of damaged tissues. The duration of use is 2 or 3 days, followed by a 5-hour break. You can use 5-12 patches per course.
All of the products described above are not certified 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.
Precautionary measures
There are few contraindications to using the adhesive patch for back pain:
- Pregnancy, lactation period.
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the patch.
- The presence of cracks, scratches, open wounds, inflammation in the affected area.
- Up to the age of 15.
- Infectious diseases in the acute stage.
- Presence of oncological formations in the area of fixation.
- Reduced 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.
Attention.Warming patches cannot be stuck on parts of the body where the blood vessels are close to the skin. This is due to the risk of burns.
Side effects after using the patches are rare. Some people have experienced local irritation after using TC, but this goes away quickly after the product is removed.
Usage suggestions
Not all patients know how to use the patch. Instructions for their use are presented below:
- Before applying the patch, wipe the desired area with an alcohol-containing liquid.
- Remove the protective film and stick it to the healing disc.
- Leave for as long as needed and then carefully remove.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated.
However, problems often arise when using the vehicle. For example, some patients are interested in whether it is possible to stick a plaster of paris on the spine. If the pain is localized in the spine, then attach the TS on the sides to the surrounding muscles.
Attention.It is recommended to perform an allergy test before applying the patch. For this, a piece is attached to the wrist, if there is no negative reaction after 15-30 minutes, then feel free to use it.
The essential question is how long the vehicle will be stored. The instructions on each patch indicate the recommended time, but it is better to rely on your own feelings. Normally, even the pepper machine causes tolerable discomfort. If the burning sensation is very strong, remove the product and consult a doctor.
If the pain does not go away after a week of treatment, consult your doctor. A specialist will help you choose a more effective drug.
Use water or oil for easy removal from irritated skin. The best solution is to lie in the bath for a few minutes and then remove the sticker.
Opinions
Most patients are satisfied with the effect of the patches on their back pain. The product is claimed to help get rid of pain and inflammation quickly. 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 did not help temporarily or at all. Then, on the advice of a friend, I bought a nano plaster. It did not work immediately, but after the course ended, the pain subsided and motor activity was restored. I am planning another course after the break.
- "I tried many patches to relieve the symptoms of sciatica. And I have identified several favorites for myself - the Japanese anesthetic and the paprika patch. During the aggravation of the disease, I used an anesthetic-based patch, and then glued a heating sticker that improves blood circulation. With this regimen, I can get rid of pain for a long time. "
- "I often use the patch for back pain, joint pain, headaches and colds. I have tried many patches over the years, but the most effective were the Chinese magnetic patch and the Japanese anesthetic patch. The insect venom-based patch caused an allergy in me, a strong burning sensation and irritation appeared a few minutes after application. I immediately removed the patch and did not use it again. "
The most important
Patches really help to reduce or completely eliminate back pain, but for this they must be used as part of complex therapy. There are pain-relieving, warming, orthopedic and fitoplasty. When choosing a vehicle, the diagnosis, age and the presence or absence of contraindications must be taken into account. It is better to entrust the selection of the drug to a doctor. The specialist will tell you the intricacies of its use. Doctors do not recommend the use of uncertified Chinese plasters, although many are satisfied with the effect of their use. But anyway, the choice is yours.