Back pain patches are medical products for external use. It is widely used for orthopedic problems, back and joint discomfort, inflammation and injuries. The efficiency and safety of the transdermal therapeutic system have been confirmed by numerous studies and patient evaluations.
The dosage form is convenient because it is glued to the skin, ensuring a slow and dosed penetration of medical substances through the skin directly into the blood vessels. Pain-relieving patches do not cause side effects on the body's systems and environment, have minimal contraindications and are easy to use.
General mechanism of action and efficacy
The modern world, with its constant rush and busyness, does not allow full-scale treatment at home or in a hospital. Children, work, relatives and friends, pets - all this requires tireless attention, leaving no time for yourself.
But when back pain becomes unbearable and pain relievers no longer help, a new remedy is needed. At the same time, it is desirable that it does not require a lot of time, is easy to use, and enables operation and a therapeutic effect. All these properties are inherent in the pain relief patch.
The mechanism of action of transdermal systems is based on the controlled release of medical substances and continuous atraumatic penetration into the patient's body. At the same time, they maintain a constant active substance concentration close to the average therapeutic level in the bloodstream.
Back pain relief patches are quite effective with long-term use and have the following effects:
- relieves inflammation and pain;
- improves microcirculation;
- eliminates swelling;
- stimulates metabolic processes.
In addition, therapeutic patches cope well with muscle spasms caused by nervous or physical stress, injuries, bruises or weather dependence. The transdermal system can be used in any part of the back, as well as in case of neck pain.
Types of patches used for back pain
Today there is a huge selection of different therapeutic patches for the back and joints. They can be organized based on the composition and method of the effect on the diseased area. Depending on these factors, all external agents are divided into several groups.
Warming patches on the back
The purpose of these pain spots is to increase blood flow to the affected area. As a result of active microcirculation, metabolic processes improve, the elimination of metabolic products accelerates, and pain and inflammation disappear.
The most popular adhesive plasters with a warming effect:
- Pepper. Cheap and quite effective. Sticking it directly on the skin, it is recommended to keep it on for 1-2 days, but if discomfort occurs, it can be removed sooner;
- Ketonal Thermo. A more active product, it relieves pain well and relaxes muscles. It consists of water, metal powder and activated carbon.
Do not use a heating patch if you have a skin condition or are allergic to the ingredients. Pregnant and nursing mothers should consult a doctor before use.
Reflective back patches
The pain patches in this group contain nanopowder of rare earth metals, which can increase the local temperature at the site of inflammation. This is the most natural and safest type of transdermal system. They work at the expense of the body's own resources, reflecting the heat emanating from the human body. They have practically no contraindications.
Such patches are placed on both the skin and clothing over the affected area. Examples of such products are TTS Nanoplast forte.
Back patches that relieve inflammation and pain
The main active ingredient of anesthetic transdermal systems are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances.
Patches belonging to this group are effective for pain in any part of the back. Depending on the ingredients, they can be divided into two classes:
- NSAID-based products. They prevent the production of prostaglandins, which increase the body's sensitivity to pain. Prominent representatives of this type of patches are Ketonal, Ketotop and Voltaren;
- Anesthetic systems. They contain novocaine or lidocaine and many other components that accelerate the regeneration of soft tissues and cartilage. Examples of such products are Versatis.
Patches against inflammation and pain should only be used at the moment of worsening discomfort and for a maximum of 14 days.
Chinese Herbal Back Patches
This group of transdermal systems is represented by all kinds of Chinese-made patches made according to the recipes of alternative medicine. Despite the fact that they are classified as cosmetic products in our country, many consumers note their strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
The composition of Chinese plasters is rich in herbs, essential oils and other organic components that improve blood circulation and relieve swelling. You can use the products for more than 2 weeks, but preferably in combination with medicines, massage and physiotherapy.
Orthopedic back patches
Transdermal patches of this type are indispensable for diseases of the spine and joints. They help alleviate the suffering of patients with radiculitis, osteochondrosis and lumbago, relieve tension in muscles and ligaments. Excellent treatment for back injuries and bruises.
An overview of effective back stains
Each group of transdermal patches contains the most effective and safest products. Check them out below.
Back patch with chondroprotectors
Patches with chondroprotectors appeared on the shelves of pharmacies not long ago.
The product is a 3x3 cm transparent polymer plate, one side of which is sprinkled with glucosamine, chondroitin and thiamine. These substances are structural elements of the cartilage and bone tissue of the spine and actively restore damaged segments. True, you need to use the regenerating patch for more than a month.
Pain relief patch for the back
NSAID patches are helpful for lower back pain. Diclofenac sodium, which is part of the Voltaren transdermal drug, has a local irritant, antiseptic and analgesic effect.
The product must be applied to the inflamed area for 24 hours. For the treatment of spinal pain, Voltaren patch can be used for up to 3 weeks, unless otherwise recommended by a doctor.
If there is no improvement after 7 days, or if your health condition worsens, stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor.
The transdermal patch is prohibited for children under 15 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, patients with bronchial asthma and patients with hypersensitivity to diclofenac. It is prescribed with caution in the elderly, people with impaired kidney and liver function, as well as heart muscle pathologies.
Transdermal back patch
The transdermal product is well proven in the treatment of osteochondrosis, radiculitis, intervertebral hernia and protrusion.
The patch looks like a soft black disc. It is made from a mixture of nanopowder, rare earth magnets crushed into a fine dispersion and hypoallergenic polymer. An adhesive layer covered with paper is applied to the base. It is removed before use.
A therapeutic anesthetic patch is applied to clean skin in the inflamed area for 12 hours. The next procedure can be performed no earlier than 6 hours later. The system must not be reused.
Warming back patch
Warming patch. It helps to relax the deep back muscles, relieves pain in the spine and shoulder girdle. Valid until 10am, stick to leather or cotton t-shirts if the heating temperature seems too high.
The patch cannot be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as during menstruation.
May cause burns if applied directly to thin, sensitive skin.
Back patch with lidocaine
Pain reliever with lidocaine. It has a fast pain-relieving effect, it sticks to the inflamed area once a day for up to 10-12 hours. If necessary, the plate can be cut into several parts.
The anesthetic patch is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is carefully prescribed to children under the age of 18, who are highly sensitive to anesthetics, heart failure, impaired liver and kidney function.
Chinese back spots
It is recommended to stick medicinal plasters based on medicinal herbs to the acupuncture points of the spinal column. Thus, the effectiveness of transdermal agents increases several times, blood flow improves, metabolic processes accelerate and pain disappears.
You can use the following external remedies to eliminate back discomfort:
- The plate contains ginger powder and clove bark, belladonna, aconite, galangal root, pine and myrrh ester extracts.
- The development of Chinese doctors not only relieves pain, but also treats pathology. It contains bee venom, scorpion dust, borneol and more than 30 other ingredients.
- It is made on a fabric base, on which a layer of active ingredient is applied. The skin under such a patch does not sweat or get wet.
All Chinese transdermal systems have a cumulative effect, so pain relief occurs after a few days. The products are not recommended for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Contraindications
All medicated patches have common contraindications that should be kept in mind. These include:
- individual intolerance to the components of the transdermal patch;
- childhood (not always);
- damage and inflammation of the skin in the gluing area;
- pregnancy and lactation period.
Contraindications for individual products are indicated in the instructions for use.
Which patch is best for back pain? This question cannot be answered clearly. Each transdermal product has its own indications for use and limitations. The patient's skin type and ease of use play a significant role. Therefore, it is better to entrust the selection of an external remedy for back pain and inflammation to a doctor.