Everyone has had back pain at least once in their life. It could be sharp and pointed, dull and long. The reasons are many.
There are also many medications for elimination and treatment. One of these remedies, which is quite simple to use, but no less effective because of this, is a patch for back pain.
Classification of adhesives
The transdermal therapeutic system is used to treat connective tissue pathologies of an inflammatory or degenerative nature.
Patch for back and joint pain refers to local methods of treating a painful symptom. This method can quickly eliminate discomfort and help eliminate the cause of their development. You can buy these funds at stationary pharmacies or order via the Internet.
Patches for back pain differ in their composition and mechanism of action. They have different usage times, indications for use.
Depending on their composition and mode of exposure, all patches can be divided into several groups.
reflective heat
A very interesting drug, in fact, it is not a drug. In this case, the reflective surface plays a decisive role.
A person radiates heat, and this patch reflects it. As a result, a fairly 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 fact, it is the same heating belt, but much thinner and almost invisible under clothing. There is no direct effect on the skin, so there are practically no contraindications.
Irritant action
This is a well-known pepper patch. It looks like a strip of fabric, has a specific smell. The sizes are different - 6 by 10 cm, 10 by 18 cm. It's very simple to use - you need to remove the transparent protective film and carefully stick it on the desired area.
One square centimeter of this preparation contains 8 g of capsicum extract and 0. 6 g of belladonna dry extract. In addition, the composition includes other substances:
- eucalyptus oil and vaseline,
- natural and synthetic rubber,
- zinc oxide,
- anhydrous lanolin,
- base rosin.
The action is based on the irritation of the nerve receptors of the skin, due to which the pain syndrome is reduced.
There are contraindications for use:
- Birthmarks and skin lesions on the affected area.
- Allergy and individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Children's age up to 14 years.
- Pregnancy.
The patch should remain on the body for at least 48 hours, but if a severe burning sensation begins, it should be removed immediately and applied to the reddened skin with baby cream or petroleum jelly.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic action
All patches with an analgesic effect can be divided into several groups according to their composition.
Local anesthetics
They contain substances that block pain. These include novocaine or lidocaine, are added to the composition and substances that promote the fastest healing of tissues. Used for very intense pain.
The analgesic effect when applied occurs quite quickly. But there are many contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug;
- children's age up to 2 years;
- violation of the integrity of the skin.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
The action is based on the suppression of the synthesis of prostaglandins, as a result of which the inflammation is suppressed and the pain disappears.
They can not be used for more than two weeks, many undesirable consequences may occur, such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, various liver and kidney problems. Do not use in pregnant women and children under 14 years old.
medicinal herbs
These are the so-called Chinese patches. In pharmaceuticals, 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 correct proportions. According to the manufacturers, their products have a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
For the production of extracts, modern technologies are used to maximize the use of the potency of medicinal plants.
Depending on the type, the period of application to the painful area on the back is 1-3 days. The total duration of treatment is at least 5 days.
Chinese manufacturers emphasize the exceptional harmlessness of these products, since the composition is only natural. But remember that even natural ingredients can be allergic.
Nanoplasts
The recently appeared and extremely popular nano-patches for back pain can be distinguished as a separate group.
From the instructions for use, you can find out that a magnetic powder of rare earth metals is applied to the polymer base. Due to their "nanometer size", all bioactive components, penetrating through the skin, act exclusively on diseased cells.
The product should be kept on the skin for at least 12 hours. It relieves inflammation and eliminates pain, and also promotes soft tissue healing.
It does not cause any side effects and has practically no contraindications. The only thing is that it is not recommended to use it for open wounds and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Opinions on this type of patch are different and ambiguous. Some consider it a super medicine and almost a panacea. Others are quackery based on the placebo effect. The choice - which back pain patch is best - is up to the patient.
But in any case, buying a medicine yourself, even as harmless at first glance as a patch, is by no means impossible.
Mandatory consultation with the attending physician is required. Only he is able to correctly assess the patient's condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.