Patches for back pain are a health product for external use. It is widely used for orthopedic problems, lower back and joint discomfort, inflammation and injuries. The effectiveness and safety of the transdermal therapeutic system has been confirmed by numerous studies and patient reviews.
The dosage form is convenient in that it is attached to the skin, ensuring slow and dosed penetration of medicinal substances through the dermis directly into the blood vessels. Patches for pain do not cause side effects on body systems and environments, have a minimum of contraindications and are easy to use.
General mechanism of action and effectiveness
The modern world, with its constant rush and burden, does not allow a full course of treatment at home or in the hospital. Children, work, relatives and friends, pets - all this requires tireless attention, leaving no time for yourself.
But when back pain becomes unbearable and analgesics no longer help, a new drug is required. At the same time, it is desirable that it does not take much time, be easy to use, allow it to work and give 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 their continuous atraumatic penetration into the patient's body. At the same time, a constant concentration of the medicinal substance is maintained in the bloodstream, close to the average therapeutic level.
Back pain relief patches are quite effective with long-term use and have the following effects:
- relief of inflammation and pain;
- improvement of microcirculation;
- eliminate swelling;
- stimulate metabolic processes.
Also, therapeutic stains cope well with muscle spasms caused by nervous or physical stress, injury, bruising or weather dependence. The transdermal system can be used on any part of the back, as well as for neck pain.
Types of back pain patches
Today there is a large selection of different therapeutic patches for the back and joints. They can be systematized according to the composition and method of impact on the diseased area. Depending on these factors, all external agents are divided into several groups.
Back heating pad
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 is accelerated, pain and inflammation go away.
The most popular adhesive plasters with a warming effect:
- Pepper. Cheap and quite effective. It is attached directly to the skin, it is recommended to wear it for 1-2 days, but if unpleasant sensations appear, you can remove it earlier;
- Thermo Ketonal. A more active product, it relieves pain well and relaxes muscles. It consists of water, metal powder and activated carbon.
Heating patches should not be used if you have skin conditions or allergies to the ingredients. Pregnant and lactating women should consult a doctor before use.
Reflective patches on the back
The pain spots of this group contain nanopowders 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 systems. They work at the expense of the body's resources, reflecting the heat emanating from the human body. They practically have no contraindications.
Such stains are applied both to the skin and to clothing over the affected area. An example of such products is TTS Nanoplast forte.
Back spots that relieve inflammation and pain
The main active component of transdermal anesthetic systems are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances.
The patches of this group are effective for pain in any part of the back. Depending on the ingredients, they are divided into two classes:
- NSAID based products. They block 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 ingredients that accelerate the regeneration of soft tissues and cartilage. An example of such products is Versatis.
Patches for inflammation and pain should only be applied when the discomfort worsens and not for more than 14 days.
Chinese Herbal Back Patches
This group of transdermal systems is represented by all types of patches made in China made according to the prescriptions of alternative medicine. Despite the fact that in our country they are classified as cosmetic products, many consumers note their strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
The composition of Chinese patches is rich in medicinal herbs, essential oils and other organic ingredients that improve blood circulation and relieve swelling. You can use the products for more than 2 weeks, but preferably in combination with medications, massage and physiotherapy.
Orthopedic back patches
Transdermal patches of this type are indispensable for diseases of the spine and joints. They help relieve the suffering of patients with radiculitis, osteochondrosis and lumbago, and relieve tension in muscles and ligaments. Excellent treatment for back injuries and bruises.
Review of effective back patches
Each set of transdermal patches contains the most effective and safest products. Let's look at them below.
Back patch with chondroprotectors
Not so long ago, patches with chondroprotectors appeared on pharmacy shelves.
The product is a transparent polymer plate measuring 3x3 cm. One side is sprinkled with glucosamine, chondroitin and thiamine. These substances are structural elements of cartilage and bone tissue of the spine and actively restore damaged segments. True, you will have to use the regeneration patch for more than a month.
Patch for back pain relief
For back pain, NSAID patches are helpful. Diclofenac sodium, which is part of the transdermal drug Voltaren, has an irritating, antiseptic and local analgesic effect.
The product is applied to the skin over the inflamed area for 24 hours. When treating pain in the spine, the Voltaren patch is used for no more than 3 weeks, unless otherwise recommended by a doctor.
If there is no improvement after 7 days or if your health worsens, you should stop the medication 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 hypersensitivity to diclofenac. Carefully prescribe the elderly, people with impaired kidney and liver function, as well as heart muscle pathology.
Transdermal back patch
The transdermal product has proven itself well in the treatment of osteochondrosis, radiculitis, intervertebral hernia and prolapse.
The patch looks like a soft black plate. Made from a mixture of nanopowder, rare earth magnets crushed into a fine distribution and a hypoallergenic polymer. An adhesive layer covered with paper is applied to the base. It is removed before use.
A piece of therapeutic anesthesia is applied to clean skin in the area of inflammation for 12 hours. The next procedure can be performed no earlier than 6 hours later. The system should not be reapplied.
Back heating
Patch heating. It helps to relax the deep muscles of the back, relieves pain in the back and shoulder girdle. Valid for 10 hours, stick to leather or cotton T-shirt if the heating temperature seems too high.
The patch is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as during menstruation.
May cause burns when applied directly to thin, sensitive skin.
Lidocaine back patch
Pain reliever with lidocaine. Gives a quick analgesic effect, sticks to the inflamed area once a day for a period of up to 10-12 hours. If necessary, the plate can be cut into several parts.
The anesthetic plate is not used during pregnancy and breastfeeding; it is prescribed with caution to children under 18 years of age, with increased sensitivity to anesthetics, heart failure and impaired liver and kidney function.
Chinese back patches
It is recommended to stick medicinal patches based on medicinal herbs to the acupuncture points on the spine. Thus, the effectiveness of transdermal agents increases several times, blood flow improves, metabolic processes accelerate and pain goes away.
To eliminate back discomfort, you can use the following external remedies:
- The dish contains ginger powder and clove bark, extracts of belladonna, aconite, galangal root, pine and myrrh esters;
- The development of Chinese doctors not only relieves pain, but also treats pathology. 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 substances 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 use by women during pregnancy and lactation.
Contraindications
All medicated patches have common contraindications that must be kept in mind. This includes:
- individual intolerance to the components of the transdermal patch;
- childhood (not always);
- damage and inflammation of the skin in the attachment area;
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
Specific contraindications for each product are indicated in the instructions for use.
Which patch is best for back pain? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally. Each transdermal product has its own indications and limitations for use. The patient's dermis type, as well as ease of use, also play an important role. Therefore, it is better to leave the choice of an external medicine for pain and inflammation in the back to the doctor.