Many people know firsthand what back pain is. Sometimes it completely paralyzes a person, the smallest movement is given with great difficulty, sometimes feelings of withdrawal of pain are followed for a long time, reducing the quality of life. Those who first felt the symptoms go to the doctor, others who repeatedly encounter the problem try to deal with it themselves. The primary task in this case is to eliminate pain and stop the inflammatory process. There are different forms of analgesics: injections, tablets, rectal suppositories, ointments, gels, back pain patches.
Pharmacological group
pharmacological effect
Analgesic (non-narcotic) drugs. Anti-inflammatory topical medications.
Indications for the use of plasters for back pain
Using a patch is a very convenient way to get rid of unpleasant symptoms caused by degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine. Indications for the use of plasters are hernias, osteochondrosis, chronic myositis, spondylitis, vertebral subluxation. You cannot count on an immediate reaction, the therapeutic effect is slow due to taking small therapeutic doses, but the side effects are minimal.
Release form
If earlier we were familiar with only one type of plaster - pepper, then at the current stage it exists in various forms of release:
- back pain patches made from: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; local anesthetics; herbs; bioadditives;
- heating patches - using mustard, pepper for an irritating effect on the body;
- heat retention - does not contain drugs, but has an internal reflective surface;
- with the use of chondroprotectors - agents that restore the cartilaginous tissue of the joints;
- combined action.
Names of medical patches
On the modern pharmacological market, plasters are represented in a fairly wide range. In order to understand and choose the right one, we list their names and brief characteristics:
- nano patch for back pain is an innovative development designed to relieve inflammation, pain, swelling, resorption of bruises, relaxation of muscle tension. The therapeutic effect on the affected area occurs thanks to the metal powder that creates magnetic and infrared fields. It is a plate on which an adhesive substance is applied, followed by a protective film that is removed before use. The panels are sold in three sizes: 7 x 9 cm, 9 x 12 cm and 11 x 16 cm. The most effective in complex therapy with other drugs of the same direction;
- Chinese plaster - products are made from a canvas base impregnated with various medicinal compounds. It can be pine resin, myrrh, drinaria, ginseng, beeswax, black ants, chili pepper, cinnamon, ginger root, menthol, camphor and other natural ingredients. The patch is perforated, so it does not prevent the penetration of air on the surface of the skin and does not disturb the metabolism. In addition to symptomatic treatment, it has a healing effect on the entire body, because. medicinal substances of its ingredients penetrate into the bloodstream and spread through it to all tissues;
- pepper patch - for its production, red hot pepper is used, which creates an irritating and warming effect, and belladonna, which contains tropic alkaloids, their pharmacological action is pain relief and spasm relief. It comes in plain and perforated form. The latter is more expensive, but is preferable because of its more favorable effect on the skin;
- anesthetic patch - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug is applied to its surface: 70 cm in area2- 15 mg, 140 cm2- 30 mg. Treats inflammation, pain, swelling with muscle and joint damage;
- magnetic patch - the use of a biomagnetic field in combination with medicinal herbs (myrrh, cinquefoil, sophora japonica) - an innovative development by Korean and Chinese scientists aimed at damage to musculoskeletal tissue. 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, whose pharmacological action is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation. There are several types of such products, some of them have a slight warming effect, others have a cooling effect;
- back pain patch with anesthetic that blocks pain signals through the pores. Acting directly on the nerve endings, it has a minimal negative effect on the body and is preferable to other forms of the drug. There are three types of such patches;
- heating patch, contains metal powder, activated carbon, salt and water. Stimulates the surface of the body, relaxes muscles and reduces pain;
- mustard plaster - irritates the nerve endings of the skin, improves blood circulation, reduces pain.
Pharmacodynamics
Medical plasters eliminate back pain, relax muscle stiffness, and under their influence, congestion and inflammation are reduced. The pharmacodynamics of the Chinese patch allows you to apply it to the area of the cervical vertebra with its osteochondrosis, it leads to the restoration of blood circulation in the brain, relieves migraine attacks, relieves ringing in the ears. Heating patches activate blood flow at the application sites, which ensures their therapeutic effect. The mechanism of action of the patch is based on inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins - hormone-like substances that affect muscle contraction.
The lidocaine patch inhibits the increase in sodium ion permeability, which stabilizes the neuron membranes, thereby blocking pain sensitivity.
Pharmacokinetics
The pharmacokinetics of patches, which include natural substances, have not been studied. The active substance of the patch is excreted mainly by the kidneys, the half-life of elimination is 1-3 hours, lidocaine is 1. 5-2 hours.
Dosage and administration
Each type of patch is supplied with instructions for use. According to the instructions contained in it, the nano-patch is applied to the skin for 12 hours, after removal, the next one can be applied after 6 hours. The maximum course of treatment is up to 9 days in the case of chronic pathology of the joints and spine. In inflammatory processes - from 3 to 9, and bruises, hematomas - 3-6.
The Chinese plaster, including the magnetic one, is stuck to the painful area, previously cleaned with alcohol or detergent, left for 2 days, the next one can be applied after 6-7 hours. Repeat for 2 to 5 weeks.
The Japanese impose at 8 o'clock.
Paprika and mustard are applied to the fat-free area after removing the protective film and leaving it for a day or two. With a strong burning sensation, it is recommended to remove, rather than endure, lubrication of the skin with petroleum jelly. The next treatment should be done after some time or the patch should be moved to another place.
The anesthetic patch is left on for one day, the duration of treatment is no longer than 14 days.
The patch with lidocaine is kept on the body for 2-10 hours, it is applied once a day, the duration of wearing is 12 hours, the total duration of the treatment cannot be longer than two weeks. 3 boards can be used simultaneously.
The patch is sometimes placed on a light cloth during the day, because. causes intense burning. The period of its action is up to 10 hours, you can use it again only after 24 hours.
Application for children
The efficacy and safety of most of the proposed patches in children have not been studied. We can confidently recommend pepper, mustard in the absence of a local reaction.
Use of plasters for back pain during pregnancy
Studies on treatment with Chinese nano patch during pregnancy have not been done, therefore this category of patients is not recommended. Warming patches: pepper, mustard in the lumbar region can cause unwanted consequences during pregnancy. It is best to refuse to use the anesthetic patch for the entire period of carrying the child and feeding. It can cause miscarriage, heart disease in the early stages, in the third trimester - delayed childbirth or the duration of their course. This also applies to lidocaine patches.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the components used in the production of the product prohibits its use. Patches are not applied to open wounds or damaged skin. Warts, sutures, neoplasms, fresh sutures are also contraindications for use. Heating patches are not recommended for patients with thrombophlebitis, elevated body temperature and high blood pressure. Painkillers should not be used by people with asthmatic manifestations on the reception of acetylsalicylic acid and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, open stomach ulcer. Lidocaine patches are not suitable for elderly people over 65 years old, with diagnoses of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, arrhythmias and heart defects.
Back pain patch side effects
Medical patches can cause local side effects. Before use, it is necessary to study their composition in order not to cause an allergic reaction to one or another component. Pepper plasters, mustard can cause burns, painkillers - adverse reactions in the elderly, as well as those with kidney, heart and liver diseases.
Overdose
Due to the low dose of the therapeutic substance that enters the bloodstream when applied locally, its overdose is impossible.
Interactions with other drugs
There are warnings about interactions with other drugs for those patches in which drugs are used. Therefore, the anesthetic patch should not be used simultaneously with other local non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances, but lidocaine does not have such warnings.
Storage conditions
Some types of patches are sold in packages and cannot be used immediately. They should be stored in a dry place out of the reach of children.
Best by date
The average shelf life of such products is 2-3 years, it is indicated on the packaging of each type.
Analogues
Analogues to the described patches are other applicators similar in therapeutic effect, but with different pharmacological action, 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 the relief of acute attacks, the pain is felt for a long time, but you have to maintain a normal rhythm of life, work. In this case, according to people's reviews, it is very convenient to use this form of treatment. Patches are thin, they are not visible under clothes, they do not leave marks on them and do not interfere with movement, they are odorless, they do not cause addiction, and due to spot application, they cannot actually have unwanted side effects. It is difficult to name which patch is the best and most effective, because. it's all individual. After removing the pain that does not allow movement with the applicators with painkillers, you can resort to those that heat. Feeling warm during the day means relaxing your muscles and experiencing comfort.