Ointments for back pain

Back pain ointment is an effective remedy that helps to get rid of painful sensations in a short period of time. Let's consider the main indications for the use of ointment, the most effective remedies for back pain, contraindications and possible side effects.

Every fifth person suffers from back pain. Ointments, gels, creams and balms are the most popular external remedies. All these medications can be used both in complex therapy and separately.

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Indications for use

Indications for the use of ointments for back pain are based on the causes that caused the painful sensations and the corresponding symptoms. Very often, back pain appears due to osteochondrosis, in which case the patient cannot even lie still. Pain can appear due to a draft, due to uncomfortable sleep on a hard mattress or due to injuries. In this case, patients use a variety of ointments to relieve pain.

The ointment is used for muscle and ligament strains, i.e. pain of traumatic origin. Pain in the spine, stiffness and damage to the neck muscles, joint and bone pain of rheumatic origin (osteoarthrosis). Inflammatory processes of various etiologies, gout attacks, thrombophlebitis, bursitis and other diseases.

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacodynamics of back pain ointment is the mechanism of action of the drug after application to the affected area. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the release of cytokines and inhibit the activity of neutrophils, which provide protection of the body from infectious lesions. With joint pain and swelling, back pain ointment reduces stiffness and increases range of motion.

The action of the ointment is based on inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Back pain is reduced due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic action of the drug. After application to the skin, the ointment reaches the site of inflammation and provides local treatment of lesions causing pain syndrome.

Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics of back pain ointment is the effectiveness and speed of action of the drug after application to the skin. After skin application, the ointment is slowly absorbed and maintains the concentration of active substances in inflamed and diseased tissues. Due to this, the therapeutic effect is maintained over a long period of time. Back pain ointments penetrate into connective tissues and synovial fluid. At the same time, the absorption of the drug is insignificant, and bioavailability is at the level of 5-7%.

The ointment penetrates through the skin, it is recommended to apply the ointment every 5-6 hours and no more than 5-7 g. This amount is enough for the drug to have its therapeutic properties. The ointment for back pain does not accumulate in the body, and the half-life is about 3 hours, the ointment is excreted through the kidneys.

The most effective substances included in ointments for back pain:

• Bee and snake venom - the substance is biologically active proteins, amino acids, fats, volatile oils, enzymes and microelements. After applying ointment with bee or snake venom to the skin, the preparation increases the skin temperature and dilates capillary vessels.
• Camphor is a substance that has analgesic, antiseptic and irritant effects.
• Mustard and pepper extracts have an irritating effect, which increases blood flow and raises the temperature of the skin to which the ointment was applied.
• Menthol – causes a burning, cold and tingling sensation. The substance has an antiseptic effect. The analgesic effect occurs due to irritation of skin receptors that affect the nervous system.

Names of ointments for back pain

The names of ointments for back pain help you navigate when buying and choosing a medicine. Ointment for relieving pain in the back and joints, for external use, is popular among patients of all ages. It is used both in complex therapy and as monotherapy and prevention of pain. Let's look at the names of the most popular products.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for external use.

Fastum gel, Bystrum gel, Berlin-chemi, Ketoprofen, Finalgel, Nise gel, Voltaren and a number of other drugs. These ointments relieve back pain caused by hypothermia and other pains.

• Drugs with analgesic and local irritant action.

The drug Finalgon contains nonivamide and nocobixil. The active ingredients dilate blood vessels, improve tissue nutrition and metabolism. The drug is used for back pain that occurs due to increased physical activity, injuries, hypothermia. This group also includes: Analgos cream, Apizartron, Nikoflex.

• Chondroprotector ointments.

This group of ointments includes Chondroxide and Arthrocin. The composition of the preparations includes such active substances as: dimethyl sulfoxide and chondroitin sulfate. The ointment restores cartilage tissue and stops degenerative lesions in osteochondrosis.

• Homeopathic pain relievers

The most popular ointment in this category is Ziel T. The main indications for use are osteochondrosis, scapulohumeral periarthritis, back pain. The active ingredients of the drug are mineral and plant components that have an immunostimulating effect. The ointment helps in the treatment of injuries and any inflammatory and painful processes in the back and joints.

In addition to the above-described drugs, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs based on bee and snake venom are especially popular.

• The most popular ointments containing snake venom are Viprosal and Vipratox.
• The most effective ointments based on bee venom are Virapin and Apizartron.

The main contraindications to the use of the above-described drugs are individual intolerance, kidney and liver diseases and lesions, pregnancy and lactation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis.

Method of administration and dosage

The method of application and dosage of the ointment for back pain are described in the instructions for external use. When using any pain-relieving ointment, it is recommended to apply a 5-7 cm strip of the product to the affected area. But the amount of ointment applied should depend on the size of the affected area. It must be thoroughly rubbed in, leaving no residue on the skin. The drug can be used no more than 2-3 times a day.

Some ointments come with special caps for rubbing the medicine. It can be in an aluminum tube or in a special container with a dispenser, i.e. a dispensary. In this case, to apply the ointment, you need to press the dispenser a couple of times and rub the product in a thin layer on the skin. On average, the course of use of any medicine should not exceed ten days.

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Use during pregnancy

The use of ointment for back pain during pregnancy is possible only for medical reasons. Back pain during pregnancy is a common painful symptom that can occur in the first months of pregnancy. It is not recommended to use any medications, since the active substances included in their composition negatively affect the development of the child and the general course of pregnancy.

As for back pain ointments, during pregnancy, you cannot use products with warming properties, as they affect normal blood flow and can provoke a miscarriage or premature birth. Let's look at several back pain ointments that can be used during pregnancy.

1. Diclofenac is a painkiller for external use. It can only be used in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, and only after consultation with a doctor and his permission. In the third trimester, Diclofenac is contraindicated.
2. Indomethacin is an effective remedy for dorsalgia. It is prohibited to use it in the last months of pregnancy, as the drug can pose a threat to pregnancy. When used in the first months of pregnancy, in the second trimester and during lactation, the drug can be used only with the permission of a doctor.
3. Menovazin is an ointment for back pain that produces an analgesic effect. The drug is approved for use only with a doctor's opinion.
4. Duphaston is another effective pain-relieving ointment that can be used during pregnancy. The drug is not recommended for use during lactation, as Duphaston is excreted in breast milk and can enter the unprotected body of the child.

Contraindications for use

Contraindications to the use of back pain ointment are based on individual contraindications that are associated with the presence of diseases and lesions of the body. Some pain-relieving ointments are not recommended for use due to hypersensitivity to the active ingredients of the drug. Back pain ointment is not recommended for use in dermatoses, eczema and other skin lesions.

The preparations are prohibited to be applied to the skin in the presence of wounds and infected abrasions. Back pain is treated with special care during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pain-relieving ointments are not used in case of increased sensitivity of the skin to solar radiation, i.e. photosensitivity.

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Side effects

Side effects of the ointment for back pain are possible if the conditions for using the drug, which are prescribed in the instructions for the drug, are not followed. Side effects are manifested in the form of skin allergic reactions. Due to prolonged use of the ointment, addiction may occur. In this case, it does not have the expected therapeutic effect.

To treat side effects, it is recommended to stop using the drug. Before complex therapy, it is necessary to conduct a test for an allergic reaction to the ointment. It is enough to apply a little ointment to the skin and see what the reaction will be in a couple of minutes. If, due to the use of the drug, the skin turns very red and an unbearable burning sensation occurs, it is recommended to wash the area of the body where the ointment was applied with soapy water.

Overdose

An overdose of ointment for back pain may occur due to prolonged use of the product or individual sensitivity to the painkiller. The main symptoms of an overdose are skin allergic reactions (redness, itching, rashes).

Treatment of overdose is symptomatic. First of all, it is necessary to stop using the ointment. If back pain continues, it is recommended to seek medical help. The doctor will prescribe an effective remedy for pain treatment and help eliminate the manifestations of overdose symptoms.

Interactions with other drugs

The interaction of back pain ointment with other drugs is possible only if complex therapy is carried out. Since ointments are used for external use, they can increase the effect of drugs that cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity of the body to ultraviolet radiation).

When interacting with coumarin anticoagulants, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the body and heart rate. It is not recommended to apply several ointments to the same affected area of skin at the same time, as this will cause an allergic reaction.

Storage conditions

The storage conditions for back pain ointment must comply with the rules described in the instructions for the drug. Any pain-relieving ointment must be stored in a dry place, protected from sunlight and inaccessible to children. The storage temperature should be from 15–25 °C.

If storage conditions are not observed, the ointment loses its medicinal properties. If the storage temperature is not observed, the drug changes its color and consistency. In this case, it is not recommended to use it and it is better to dispose of it.

Best before date

The shelf life of the ointment for back pain may vary, on average it is from 12 to 24 months. The shelf life is affected by compliance with the storage conditions of the drug. If the storage rules are not followed, the medicinal and physicochemical properties of the drug are lost. And this indicates that the drug has expired.

Back pain ointment is the most popular and sought-after medicine. There are many ointments that have different principles of action, but are equally effective in relieving back pain that occurs for various reasons.