Back pain can affect everyone. In recent years, this ailment has become much younger. And if earlier only elderly people suffered from sciatica or osteochondrosis, now back problems can occur in youth. This is due not only to a sedentary lifestyle, but also to the abundance of stress, as well as to improper nutrition. In most cases, special ointments for lower back pain can help the sufferer. The use of local funds is considered not only more effective, but also safer. Indeed, no more than 10% of the active active ingredients of the ointment are absorbed through the skin into the blood. But despite this, only a doctor can decide which drug is better. After all, back pain can be caused not only by problems with the musculoskeletal system, but also by diseases of the heart, intestines or genitourinary system. And there are so many remedies for back pain that a layman simply cannot choose the most suitable one.
What are the ointments for back pain
Modern medicine offers a large selection of local remedies for the treatment of back pain. Ointments for back pain can be used both as part of complex therapy, and as an independent treatment. They differ in the active substances that make up their composition. Now these groups of drugs are distinguished:
1. Homeopathic remedies are highly effective in inflammatory diseases. They are easily tolerated by patients and have almost no contraindications.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for back pain of any etiology. But you need to use such ointments only as prescribed by the doctor, since they have many contraindications and side effects.
3. Warming, or, as they are also called, local irritants, help well if your back hurts after an injury, intense physical exertion or from hypothermia.
4. Chondoprotectors are drugs that contain substances that protect cartilage from damage and have anti-inflammatory properties.
5. In recent years, combined ointments, which include various active components, have become more popular. Therefore, they act in several directions at once.
Anti-inflammatory ointments
These drugs are considered the most effective when lower back hurts. An ointment containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances, quickly relieves pain. But such drugs can have many side effects, even with topical application. Therefore, in choosing a medicine you need to focus only on the advice of a doctor. Commonly used ointments:
- “Ketoprofen”, also known as “Fastum gel”, “Ketonal” or “Flexen”. It is effective for any inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as after injuries. It is used for osteochondrosis, bruises, radiculitis and inflammatory processes.
“Nise is by far the best ointment for low back pain.” Effective in any disease, but the drug can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor.
“Diclofenac,” or “Diclac,” or “Voltaren.” These ointments have the same composition and effectively relieve pain and inflammation in the back.
- Preparations based on ibuprofen: Finalgel, Piroxicam or Ibuprofen have a similar effect.
Warming ointments for the lower back
Such preparations contain irritating substances that cause a rush of blood to the place of their use, vasodilation and activation of blood circulation. In doing so, they have a local anesthetic effect. Such an ointment for the lower back is most often used after hypothermia, sports injuries, pinched nerves, with lumbago and myalgia. They are not used to treat children with allergies or damage to the skin. Apply non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with the help of an applicator and only as directed by a doctor. The most famous ointments for warming lower back pain are:
- “Finalgon” - contains chemicals that have a vasodilating effect and activate metabolism.
- “Capsicam”, in addition to chemical components, contains camphor and gum turpentine. The drug effectively relieves inflammation and pain.
- “Efkamon” contains many natural ingredients: tincture of pepper, menthol, essential oils of cloves, eucalyptus and mustard. This ointment warms well, relieves inflammation and relaxes muscles.
- “Viprosal” is an ointment with a completely natural composition. Contains snake venom, which quickly relieves pain and inflammation.
Chondroprotectors
- “Chondroitin sulfate” was created on the basis of cartilage in cattle. The drug effectively restores broken ligaments and cartilage, has a beneficial effect on bone tissue. It is used for osteochondrosis and other degenerative diseases of the spine.
- “Teraflex M” in addition to chondroitin contains glucosamine, which also has chondroprotective properties. Both substances of this drug enhance each other's action.
Combination drugs
- “Sophia” - an ointment for pain in the back and lower back has anti-inflammatory, and analgesic, and chondroprotective properties, thanks to the unique composition, which includes many plant components.
- The most popular combination drug is Dolobene gel. It relieves pain and inflammation, restores cartilage and has a thrombolytic and absorbable effect.
- One of the most effective means for treating back pain is Arthrocin gel. It contains chondroitin, which restores cartilage, essential oils with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well as pepper extract, which warms and improves blood circulation.
Homeopathic remedies
Such ointments contain substances that, in addition to the analgesic effect, improve metabolism and help restore cartilage. Not all doctors believe that such an ointment for pain in the back and lower back is effective. But as an aid to the complex treatment of diseases, if they are at the initial stage, they can be used. Now there are two homeopathic remedies:
- “Goal T” is used for osteochondrosis, polyarthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other bone diseases. After all, this ointment has analgesic, chondoprotective and regenerative effects.
- “Traumeel” helps better with inflammatory processes of soft tissues: sciatica, lumbago or radiculitis.
How to choose the right drug
In many cases, with back pain, a person does not go to the doctor, but to the pharmacy. Some follow the advice of pharmacists, others buy a frequently advertised ointment for lower back pain. Reviews of patients who have tried many drugs, note that their effectiveness does not depend on the price or popularity of the manufacturer. In addition, often what has helped one is useless for another.
Therefore, when choosing a medicine for a sore back, you must first focus on the recommendations of the doctor who will prescribe the drug in accordance with the cause of the disease. In addition, a medicine is selected necessarily taking into account individual tolerance and the presence of allergic reactions.
Contraindications and side effects of local funds
The most common local allergic reactions, especially after the application of warming ointments. Such drugs can cause not only urticaria, but even swelling of the tissues and bronchospasm. Therefore, it is recommended that you first try the ointment on a small area of the skin. But side effects can cause any means. The most dangerous in this regard are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which, if released into the blood even in small amounts, can negatively affect the internal organs. Therefore, it is contraindicated to use any ointments for pathologies of the kidneys, bronchial asthma, intolerance to some component. Most drugs are also not prescribed for children under 14 years of age and pregnant women.
Application features
- Usually, the treatment with local remedies for back diseases does not last more than 10 days.
- Apply ointments 2-3 times a day with light rubbing movements. Only homeopathic medicines can be used up to 6 times.
- In some cases, it is necessary to additionally wrap a sore spot on top of the applied ointment.
- To enhance the effect of treatment, before applying the product, you need to wash the sore spot with warm water and soap.
- When using heating agents for the first time, you need to check the reaction to it on a small area of the skin, usually on the inner surface of the bend of the elbow.
- With caution, warming ointments should be used for back pain, as they can be caused by inflammatory processes in the internal organs.