Back pain is a problem faced by people of different ages and professions. It causes discomfort, limits life activities and can occur at the most unexpected moments. In some cases, you can get out of this situation using a plaster for back pain or kinesiotape. The main thing is to choose a quality one and apply it according to instructions.
Why does back pain appear?
Before choosing a medical patch, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of back pain. Conventionally, the reasons can be divided into 3 groups:
- The most common is muscle pain. They appear as a result of stretching, injury, too much energy, sedentary work, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, and so on.
- Another cause is degenerative pathology of the spine (spondyloarthrosis, intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, etc. ). Back pain in this condition occurs because the nerve is pinched.
- Diseases of the internal organs sometimes give rise to the appearance of pain. For example, renal colic is associated with severe lower back discomfort.
Back pain patches can be used regardless of the cause of discomfort. But it should be understood that for the treatment of serious diseases, problems with internal and organs and the spine, additional measures of influence will be required.
What are the advantages of a back patch?
The main task when using a patch is to relieve symptoms. That is, this is only an additional measure that will help alleviate the condition, but in no way replace the medication in severe cases. However, pain spots are popular for several reasons:
- Drugs in the composition of anesthetic patches penetrate the skin in minimal doses, affecting only the focus of inflammation. At the same time, the circulatory system and gastrointestinal tract are not involved in any way, and harm to the body is minimized.
- More practical to use than gels, smears and ointments. Therefore, it can be used in any situation without staining your hands and clothes. Plus, you can always take it with you, as the patch takes up little space in the bag.
- There are patches on the market that use only natural ingredients, so they are harmless and can be used even without a doctor’s recommendation.
How do anesthetic patches work?
In the treatment of injuries, all additional means are aimed at eliminating pain, improving blood circulation and lymph outflow, and relieving inflammation. Moreover, this effect is achieved due to different active ingredients. Currently, there are several types of plasters on sale - irritating, reflective, analgesic and combined action. Each of them has the right effect, but you need to choose the appropriate version of the patch based on the condition, skin condition and predisposition to allergic reactions.
Irritated back patches
The therapeutic effect of the drug is similar to that of a warming ointment. Hot red pepper and mustard extracts are used as the main components, which are applied to every centimeter of the fabric base. Upon contact with the skin, the main active ingredient irritates nerve endings and receptors, causing strong blood flow to the affected area and, due to this, pain is reduced. Thanks to the warming effect, a person feels better and lasts for several hours. Usually, after applying the patch, a pleasant warming warmth is felt, the pain subsides. But if you feel a strong burning sensation, you need to remove it, wipe the residue of the product from the skin with oil and rinse with water.
But such patches should not be used in case of damage at the site of application, as this will only worsen the situation. In addition, the patch should not be used at high body temperatures, in children and pregnant women.
Reflective plaster
If your back is stretched, you can use a heat -reflective patch. In fact, there is no medicine in it - only a reflective surface is applied on the inside. Thanks to this, in painful places, heat is retained and the heating effect is enhanced. Put it on your underwear. The main advantage is that the patch can be used without any harm to the body.
The strip relieves pain
The principle of operation of such patches is similar to the action of gels and ointments. The drug, applied to the inner surface of the patch, is absorbed into the skin, relieving pain and helping to relieve inflammation. But different active ingredients are used as a basis:
- Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal patches can effectively relieve pain, as they neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation. But you can use it no more than two weeks, and if possible, take it only in case of acute pain, as it causes side effects.
- Anesthetic patches use a substance that blocks the surface receptors of the skin so that pain is reduced. This type of patch is used as a pain reliever in the acute phase of the disease.
- Herbal patches are made based on the principles of alternative Chinese medicine. The healing effect is provided by a complex of medicinal plants in certain proportions - the composition contains concentrated extracts from it. The use of such plasters is practically harmless, with the exception of the possibility of allergies, because the composition contains natural ingredients.
Nanoplastics - a novelty in the market of regenerative medicine
A relatively new pain reliever is a type of patch based on supplements. Bioactive materials are applied on a polymer basis in several layers, obtained by grinding plant products into nanoparticles. Reviews of the patch are vague, but it is believed that such small details penetrate the skin and have a direct effect on the center of inflammation.
Combined action products
When making a plaster, two effects are combined - anesthetic and warming. The advantage is that when the strip is attached, the pain is stopped simultaneously, blood circulation is increased and inflammation disappears. Various combinations of active ingredients are available on sale, therefore, contraindications to the patch depend entirely on the chosen composition.
How to use the patch properly?
There are no basic requirements and complex application schemes to use the hold. The back at the application site should be dry and clean, free of injuries, open wounds and burns. The only difficulty is that you need to accurately determine the localization of the uncomfortable sensation, because the size of the plaster is not too large. If it is difficult enough to determine the localization, for example, if the back "shoots in several places, then several stickers can be applied at once - on one and the other side of the spine.
After that, you need to remove the protective film and attach the strip to the selected area. Keep in mind that most plasters are not compatible with the use of water treatment. Therefore, while wearing the patch, you should carefully bathe.
The course of treatment depends on the disease, its phase and complex, additional measures. For example, if you periodically "shoot" the lower back, then you can have a supply of plasters for emergency care - taking a full course does not make sense. And in the case of chronic diseases, a set of measures is required in addition to the use of thermal adhesives.
Which to choose?
Before choosing a patch, you need to know the cause of the appearance of unpleasant symptoms - the doctor will choose a scheme for use of drugs and duration of use. There are situations when help is needed immediately - in this case, use a patch, but choose the safest. If the discomfort is increasing and does not go away, or the pain becomes persistent, then be sure to consult a specialist.
At a pharmacy or store, you can take several patches at once. Contact a specialist who will help you choose only the best drugs from trusted manufacturers, constantly adding variety with new products. If you are having difficulty choosing a drug, not finding an interesting product in the catalog, or are interested in a particular brand of product, then contact an online store consultant for assistance.