Back Pain Patches: Mechanism of Action and Popular Brands Review

Low back pain patch is a kind of external health product. Widely used for orthopedic problems, lower back and joint discomfort, inflammation and injuries. The effectiveness and safety of transdermal therapeutic systems have been proven by numerous studies and patient reviews.This dosage form is convenient because it sticks to the skin, ensuring slow, measured delivery of the drug across the dermis directly into blood vessels. Pain relief patches cause no side effects on the body's system or environment, have minimal contraindications, and are easy to use.

General mechanism of action and effectiveness

The modern world is constantly busy and does not allow for complete treatment at home or in the hospital. Children, work, friends and family, pets – it all demands relentless attention, leaving no time for yourself.But when back pain becomes unbearable and pain medications no longer help, a new treatment method is needed. At the same time, hopefully it doesn't take much time, is easy to use, works and has a therapeutic effect. All of these properties are inherent to pain relief patches.The mechanism of action of transdermal systems is based on the controlled release of medical substances and their sustained and damage-free penetration into the patient's body. At the same time, the drug concentration in the bloodstream remains constant, close to the average therapeutic level.The back pain relief patch is very effective after long-term use and has the following functions:

• Relieve inflammation and pain;
• Improve microcirculation;
• Reduce swelling;
• Stimulates metabolic processes.

Additionally, therapeutic patches work well for muscle spasms caused by nerve or physical stress, injury, bruises, or weather dependence. Transdermal systems can be used on any part of the back as well as for neck pain.

Types of patches to treat back pain

Today, there are a large number of different back and joint treatment patches available. They can be systematized by composition and method of impact on diseased areas. Based on these factors, all external agents are divided into groups.

back warmer

The purpose of these pain patches is to increase blood flow to the affected area. Due to active microcirculation, metabolic processes are improved, the elimination of metabolite products is accelerated, and pain and inflammation disappear.The most popular thermal adhesive plasters:

• black pepper. It's cheap and very effective. It sticks directly to the skin and is recommended to be left on for 1-2 days, but if an unpleasant feeling occurs, it can be removed in advance;
• Keto fever. A more active product that works great for pain relief and muscle relaxation. Composed of water, metal powder and activated carbon.

You should not use warming patches if you have skin problems or are allergic to ingredients. Pregnant and nursing women should consult a doctor before use.

Reflective patch on back

These pain patches contain rare earth metal nanopowders that increase local temperature at the site of inflammation. This is the most natural and safest type of transdermal system. They operate at the expense of the body's own resources and reflect the heat emitted by the body. They have almost no contraindications.These patches can be placed either on the skin over the affected area or on clothing. An example of such a product is TTS Nanoplast forte.

Back patch to relieve inflammation and pain

The main active ingredients of anesthetic transdermal systems are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substances.This set of patches is effective for pain anywhere on the back. Depending on the components, they are divided into two categories:

• NSAID-based products. They block the production of prostaglandins, which increase the body's sensitivity to pain. Prominent representatives of this type of patch are Ketonal, Ketotop and Voltaren;
• Anesthesia system. They contain novocaine or lidocaine and many other ingredients that speed up the regeneration of soft tissue and cartilage. Versatis is an example of such a product.

Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving patches should only be used if discomfort worsens and should not be used for more than 14 days.

Chinese herbal back patch

Representative of this group of transdermal systems are various Chinese-made patches based on alternative medicine formulations. Although they are classified as cosmetics in our country, many consumers note their powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.The composition of herbal patches is rich in herbs, essential oils, and other organic ingredients that improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. You can use these products for more than two weeks, but they are best used in conjunction with medications, massage, and physical therapy.

Orthopedic back patch

This type of transdermal patch is essential for spinal and joint conditions. They help relieve pain in patients with radiculitis, osteochondrosis, and low back pain and relieve muscle and ligament tension. Great for back injuries and bruises.

Review of effective back patches

Each group of transdermal patches contains the most effective and safest products. Let's take a look at them below.

Back patch with cartilage protectant

Not long ago, patches containing chondroprotectants appeared on pharmacy shelves.The product is a 3x3cm clear polymer plate with one side sprayed with glucosamine, chondroitin and thiamine. These substances are structural elements of spinal cartilage and bone tissue and actively repair damaged segments. Indeed, the regeneration patch must be used for more than 1 month.

Back pain relief patch

For low back pain, NSAID patches can help. Diclofenac sodium is part of the transdermal drug Voltaren and has local stimulant, antiseptic and analgesic properties.Apply the product to the skin in the inflamed area for 24 hours. When treating spinal pain, the Voltaren patch should be used for no more than 3 weeks unless your doctor advises otherwise.If there is no improvement after 7 days or your health worsens, you should stop taking the medication and consult your doctor.The transdermal patch is contraindicated in children under 15 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, patients with bronchial asthma, and patients allergic to diclofenac. Use with caution in the elderly, people with impaired renal and liver function, and people with cardiomyopathy.

Transdermal back patch

This transdermal product is well proven in the treatment of osteochondrosis, radiculitis, intervertebral hernias and herniations.The patch looks like a soft black plate. Made from a blend of nanopowders, rare earth magnets crushed into a fine dispersion, and hypoallergenic polymers. An adhesive layer covered with paper is applied to the substrate. Remove before use.Use a therapeutic anesthetic patch to cleanse the skin in the inflamed area for 12 hours. The next procedure can be performed no earlier than 6 hours later. The system may not be reapplied.

Warming back patch

Warming patch. Helps relax deep back muscles and relieve spine and shoulder girdle pain. Valid for 10 hours, if heating seems too high, stick to skin or cotton T-shirt.Do not use this patch during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menstruation.Applying directly to thin, sensitive skin may cause burns.

Lidocaine back patch

Use lidocaine for pain relief. It has a rapid analgesic effect and can be applied to the inflamed area once a day for up to 10-12 hours. If desired, the board can be cut into sections.Anesthetic patches should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding; use with caution in children under 18 years of age, those with increased sensitivity to anesthetics, heart failure, and impaired liver and kidney function.

China back sticker

It is recommended to apply medicinal patches based on medicinal materials on the spinal acupoints. As a result, the effectiveness of transdermal preparations increases several times, blood flow improves, metabolic processes accelerate, and pain disappears.To eliminate back discomfort, you can use the following external treatments:

• The disc contains ground ginger and extracts of clove bark, belladonna, aconite, galangal root, pine, and myrrh esters.
• The development of traditional Chinese medicine can not only relieve pain, but also treat pathology. Contains more than 30 ingredients including bee venom, whole scorpion powder, and borneol.
• It is made on a fabric base that is coated with a layer of active substances. The skin under this patch does not sweat or get wet.

All Chinese transdermal systems have a cumulative effect, so pain relief occurs after a few days. This product is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

All medicinal patches have common contraindications that should be kept in mind. These include:

• Personal intolerance to ingredients in transdermal panels;
• childhood (not always);
• Skin damage and inflammation in the bonded area;
• Pregnancy and lactation.

Specific contraindications for each product are indicated in the instructions for use.Which patch is best for back pain relief? It is impossible to answer this question definitively. Each transdermal product has its own indications and limitations of use. The type of patient's dermis and ease of use also play an important role. Therefore, it's best to leave the choice of topical treatments for back pain and inflammation to your doctor.