Every person has experienced back and lower back pain at least once in their life.It could be sharp and cutting, dull and long-lasting.There are a huge number of reasons that cause it.
There are also many medicines for elimination and treatment.One of these remedies, quite simple to use, but no less effective, is a patch for back pain.
Classification of plasters
The transdermal therapeutic system is used to treat connective tissue pathologies of an inflammatory or degenerative nature.
A patch for back and joint pain refers to local methods of treating pain symptoms.This method can quickly drown out unpleasant sensations and help eliminate the cause of their development.You can buy such products in hospital pharmacies or order them online.
Back pain patches vary in composition and mechanism of action.They have different periods of use and indications for use.
Based on their composition and mode of action, all patches can be divided into several groups.
Heat reflective
A very interesting medicine, which is actually not a medicine.In this case the reflective surface plays a decisive role.
A person generates heat and this patch reflects it.As a result, a rather intense heating of the desired area occurs, but without a greenhouse effect, since this type of product is not attached to the body, but to clothes.
In essence, this is the same heating belt, but it is much thinner and is practically invisible under clothing.There is no direct effect on the skin, so there are practically no contraindications.
Irritating action
This is the famous pepper patch.It looks like a strip of fabric and has a specific smell.The dimensions are different: 6 x 10 cm, 10 x 18 cm.It is very simple to use: you need to remove the transparent protective film and carefully stick it to the desired area.
One square centimeter of this drug contains 8 g of pepper extract and 0.6 g of nightshade dry extract.In addition, the composition includes other substances:
- eucalyptus oil and petrolatum,
- natural and synthetic rubber,
- zinc oxide,
- anhydrous lanolin,
- basic rosin.
The action is based on the irritation of nerve receptors in the skin, due to which pain is reduced.
There are contraindications for use:
- Birthmarks and any skin lesions on the affected area.
- Individual allergy and intolerance to the components of the drug.
- Increased body temperature.
- Children's age up to 14 years.
- Pregnancy.
The patch must remain on the body for at least 48 hours, but if severe burning begins, remove it immediately and apply baby cream or Vaseline to the reddened skin.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect
All plasters that have an analgesic effect can be divided into several groups based on their composition.
Local anaesthetics
They contain substances that block pain.These include novocaine or lidocaine;substances that promote rapid tissue healing are added to the composition.Used for very intense pain.
The analgesic effect occurs quite quickly when applied.But there are also many contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug;
- children under 2 years old;
- violation of the integrity of the skin.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
The action is based on the suppression of prostaglandin synthesis, resulting in reduction of inflammation and disappearance of pain.
They cannot be used for more than two weeks;many unwanted consequences can occur, such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, and various liver and kidney problems.Cannot be used by pregnant women and children under 14 years of age.
Medicinal herbs
These are the so-called Chinese patches.In the pharmaceutical sector they are registered as cosmetics;there is no documentary evidence of their therapeutic effect.But many patients believe in the effectiveness and uniqueness of these drugs.
The composition includes a wide variety of herbs, selected in the right proportions.According to the manufacturers, their products have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Modern technologies are used to produce the extracts to make the most of the power of medicinal plants.
Depending on the type, the duration of use on the painful area of the back is 1-3 days.The entire course of treatment lasts at least 5 days.
Chinese manufacturers emphasize the exceptional safety of these products, since the composition is exclusively natural.But don't forget that allergies can also occur to natural ingredients.
Nanoplastics
The recently introduced and extremely popular nanopatches for back pain can be distinguished into a separate group.
From the instructions for use you can find out that magnetic powder consisting of rare earth metals is applied to the polymer base.Due to their "nanosize", all bioactive components, penetrating through the skin, act exclusively on diseased cells.
The product must remain on the skin for at least 12 hours.Relieves inflammation and pain and promotes healing of soft tissues.
It causes no side effects and has practically no contraindications.The only thing is that it is not recommended for use on open wounds and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Opinions on this type of patch are diverse and ambiguous.Some consider it a super medicine and practically a panacea.Others are charlatans based on the placebo effect.The choice - which patch for back pain is better - is up to the patient.
But in any case, you should never buy the medicine yourself, even something as harmless at first glance as a plaster.
A mandatory consultation with your doctor is necessary.Only he is able to correctly assess the patient's condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.