Many people know firsthand what back pain is. Sometimes it completely paralyzes a person, the slightest movement is given with great difficulty, sometimes pulling pain sensations accompany it for a long time and reduce the quality of life. Those who first felt the symptoms go to the doctor, others who have the problem more than once try to cope with it on their own. The main task in this case is to eliminate pain and stop the inflammatory process. There are several forms of analgesics: injections, tablets, rectal suppositories, ointments, gels, patches for back pain.
Pharmacological group
pharmacological action
Analgesic (non-narcotic) drugs. Anti-inflammatory local drugs.
Indications for using a patch for back pain
Using a patch is a very convenient way to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms caused by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. Indications for the use of patches are hernias, osteochondrosis, chronic myositis, spondylitis, subluxation of the vertebrae. You can not count on an immediate reaction, the therapeutic effect is slow due to the intake of small therapeutic doses, but side effects are minimal.
release form
If earlier we knew only one type of patch - pepper - now it comes in several forms of release:
- Pain relieving patches for back pain made using: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; local anesthetics; medicinal herbs; bioadditives;
- warming patches - with mustard, pepper to create an irritating effect on the body;
- retain heat - does not contain any medication, but has an internal reflective surface;
- with the use of chondroprotectors - agents that restore the cartilaginous tissue of the joints;
- combined action.
Names of medicinal patches
On the modern pharmacological market, patches are represented by a fairly wide range. To understand and choose the right one, let's list their names and brief characteristics:
- Back Pain Nano Patch is an innovative development to relieve inflammation, pain, swelling, resorption of bruises, relaxation of muscle tension. The therapeutic effect on the affected area is due to the metal powder that creates magnetic and infrared fields. It is a plate to which an adhesive substance is applied, and then a protective film that is removed before use. Plates are sold in three sizes: 7 x 9 cm, 9 x 12 cm and 11 x 16 cm. Most effective in complex therapy with other drugs of the same direction;
- Chinese plaster - products are made from a fabric base impregnated with various medicinal compounds. It can be pine resin, myrrh, drynaria, ginseng, beeswax, black ants, chili pepper, cinnamon, ginger root, menthol, camphor and other natural ingredients. The patch is perforated, so it does not prevent air from penetrating to the surface of the skin and does not disturb metabolism. In addition to symptomatic treatment, it has a healing effect on the entire body, because. the medicinal substances of its components penetrate into the bloodstream and spread through it to all tissues;
- Pepper patch - for its manufacture, red hot pepper is used, which produces an irritating and warming effect, and belladonna, which contains tropane alkaloids, the pharmacological effect of which is to relieve pain and relieve spasms. There is smooth and perforated. The latter is more expensive, but preferable because of the more beneficial effect on the skin;
- Anesthetic patch - a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is applied to its surface: with an area of 70 cm2- 15mg, 140cm2- 30mg. It treats inflammation, pain, swelling with damage to muscles and joints;
- Magnetic plaster - the use of a biomagnetic field in combination with medicinal herbs (myrrh, girdle, Sophora japonica) - an innovative development of Korean and Chinese scientists aimed at damaged musculoskeletal tissues. It is effective for back pain caused by torn lumbar muscles, intervertebral hernia, cysts on the spine, joint inflammation;
- Japanese plaster - its active ingredients are methyl salicylate and menthol, the pharmacological action of which is aimed at reducing pain and inflammation. There are different types of such products, some have a slightly warming effect, others have a cooling effect;
- a patch for back pain with an anesthetic that blocks pain signals through the pores. It acts directly on the nerve endings, has a minimal negative effect on the body and is preferable to other forms of the drug. There are three types of such patches;
- Heat patch, it contains metal powder, activated carbon, salt and water. Irritates the body surface, relaxes muscles and relieves pain;
- Mustard plaster - irritates the nerve endings of the skin, improves blood circulation and relieves pain.
pharmacodynamics
Medical plasters eliminate back pain, loosen muscle stiffness, under their influence congestion and inflammation decrease. The pharmacodynamics of the Chinese patch allows you to apply it to the region of the cervical vertebra with its osteochondrosis, leads to the restoration of cerebral blood flow, relieves migraine attacks, relieves tinnitus. Heat plasters activate blood circulation at the application sites, which ensures their therapeutic effect. The patch's mechanism of action is based on inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins – hormone-like substances that affect muscle contraction.
The lidocaine patch inhibits the increase in sodium ion permeability, which leads to the stabilization of neuronal cell membranes, thereby blocking pain sensitivity.
pharmacokinetics
Patches involving natural products have not been studied for pharmacokinetics. The active substance of the patch is excreted mainly by the kidneys, its half-life is 1-3 hours, lidocaine is 1. 5-2 hours.
dosage and application
Each patch type comes with instructions for use. Using the instructions inside, the nano patch is applied to the skin for 12 hours, once removed, the next one can be applied after 6 hours. The maximum duration of treatment is up to 9 days in chronic pathology of the joints, spine. With inflammatory processes - from 3 to 9, and bruises, hematomas - 3-6.
A Chinese plaster, including a magnetic one, is stuck on the painful area, after previously cleaning it with alcohol or detergent and leaving it for 2 days. The next patch can be applied after 6-7 hours. Repeat this for 2 to 5 weeks.
Japanese imposition at 8am.
Applying pepper and mustard is done on a grease-free surface, after removing the protective film and leaving it for a day or two. With a strong burning sensation, it is recommended to remove the skin with petroleum jelly and not endure. The next treatment should be after some time or the patch should be moved to another place.
The anesthetic patch is left for a day, the duration of treatment is no more than 14 days.
The patch with lidocaine is kept on the body for 2-10 hours, it is applied once a day, the period of wear is 12 hours, the total duration of treatment should not exceed two weeks. 3 plates can be used at the same time.
The patch is sometimes applied to a light fabric during the day because. it causes severe stinging. The duration of action is up to 10 hours, you can only use it again after 24 hours.
application for children
The effectiveness and safety of most proposed patches in children have not been studied. With confidence we can recommend pepper, mustard in the absence of a local reaction.
Using a patch for back pain during pregnancy
No studies have been conducted on treatment with a Chinese nanopatch during pregnancy, so this category of patients is not recommended. Heat patches: pepper, mustard in the lumbar region can cause undesirable consequences during pregnancy. It is best to refuse the use of an anesthetic patch for the entire period of childbirth and feeding a child. It can lead to miscarriage, heart disease in the early stages, third trimester - delayed labor or the length of its course. This also applies to lidocaine patches.
contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the components used in the manufacture of the product prohibit its use. The patches are not applied to open wounds or broken skin. Warts, sutures, neoplasms, fresh sutures are also contraindications for use. Heat patches are not recommended for patients with thrombophlebitis, elevated body temperature and hypertension. Painkillers should not be used by people with asthmatic manifestations when taking acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs, open gastric ulcers. Lidocaine patches are not suitable for elderly people over 65 years of age with diagnoses of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, cardiac arrhythmias and heart defects.
Side effects of the patch for back pain
Medicated patches can cause local side effects. Before use, it is necessary to study their composition so as not to provoke an allergic reaction to one or another component. Pepper, mustard plasters can cause burns, painkillers - undesirable reactions in the elderly, as well as in people with diseases of the kidneys, heart and liver.
overdose
Due to the small dose of the therapeutic substance that enters the bloodstream when applied topically, overdose is impossible.
Interactions with other drugs
There are drug interaction warnings for the patches that use drugs. Therefore, the anesthetic patch should not be used simultaneously with other local nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substances, but there are no such warnings for lidocaine.
storage conditions
Some types of patches are sold in packs and cannot be used immediately. They should be stored in a dry place out of the reach of children.
expiry date
The average shelf life of such products is 2-3 years, it is indicated on the packaging of each type.
analogues
Analogues of the patches described are other applicators with a similar therapeutic effect, but with a different pharmacological effect, as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy in the form of tablets, injections, physical procedures (therapeutic exercises, massage, electrophoresis, Darsonval).
Results
There are many people who have back pain. Even after relieving acute attacks, the pain makes itself felt for a long time, but you need to maintain the normal rhythm of life and work. In this case, according to people's reviews, it is very convenient to use only this form of treatment. The patches are thin, they are not visible under clothing, they leave no traces and do not impede movement, they are odorless, not addictive and, when used selectively, cannot actually have any undesirable side effects. It is difficult to name which patch is the best and most effective because. everything is individual. Having eliminated the pain that does not allow movement with applicators with painkillers, you can resort to warming ones. Feeling warm during the day means relaxing muscles and experiencing comfort.