Warming muscle ointments promote blood flow to the muscles, ligaments, cartilage and joints. Due to this, they act: the supply of nutrients is mandatory with the bloodstream. Ointments and gels with a warming effect provide a mild analgesic effect for various injuries - these are bruises, hematomas, and sprains. They accelerate healing, effectively relieve pain, prevent complications, and reduce the inflammatory process. A warming ointment for colds will also help: relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu, nasal congestion and sore throat.
The principle of action of heating agents
The effect of a rush of blood to the treated area is provided by the following components:
- bee or snake venom;
- camphor;
- capsacin;
- turpentine.
Most modern warming ointments are made not with one, but with several active ingredients at once. This provides a comprehensive effect in a wide variety of conditions and diseases. There are warming ointments for the neck, shoulders, joints, spine, sternum, feet or fingers. Depending on the degree of manifestation of the ailment, ointments and creams can be used as an independent tool or as part of complex therapy. For example, with osteochondrosis, the pain can be so strong that the patient is forced, in addition to the local drug, to use a potent tablet anesthetic.
Apply warming ointments should be in gloves or with your fingertips. The fact is that many patients make a common mistake: rub the ointment with the palm of the hand. Then they wash their hands poorly and touch their face or eyes. As a result, many unpleasant consequences can occur: from an allergic reaction of the upper layer of the epidermis of the face to a burn of the eye mucosa. Such consequences can be fatal - in some cases, an eyesore may remain on the eye of such an inattentive patient. So you should either wash your hands very thoroughly with soap or apply warming creams and ointments with gloves.
Field of application of heating agents
Use both as an independent tool and as part of complex therapy is possible with the following conditions and ailments:
- osteochondrosis, lordosis, scoliosis of any spine;
- bruises with or without hematoma;
- dislocations and sprains;
- sports injuries caused by stretching or excessive effort of a contracted muscle bundle;
- pain after fractures.
Some massage therapists use warming ointments for osteochondrosis directly during the procedure. Some patients are against this use of ointment, since in some cases the components (in particular, bee or snake venom) can provoke the development of an allergic reaction. As a result, the patient loses the pain provoked by osteochondrosis, but then acquires dermatological problems.
In some cases, the use of ointments with turpentine during massage is justified. For example, a popular canned cellulite massage for women can be more effective when using ointments with a strong warming effect.
List of the most effective tools
By cost and effectiveness, the following warming ointments can be distinguished:
- Capsicum.
- Finalgon.
- Efkamon.
- "Lifeguard forte."
- Viprosan.
- Virapin
- "Dr. Mom."
The cost of each of them is from one hundred fifty to four hundred rubles. You can buy them in almost any pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.
Contraindications to the use of creams, balms and ointments
Contraindications to the use of warming ointments are as follows:
- open and closed head injuries;
- open wounds;
- the most minor violations of the integrity of the skin;
- children's age up to three years;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature;
- individual intolerance to the components of the ointment.
What warming ointments are possible with oncology? This question worries many patients. Before using any of them, you need a consultation with an oncologist, since a rush of blood can supply the tumor with substances that will contribute to its growth. This cannot be allowed for either benign or malignant neoplasms. For this reason, you can not use warming ointments to remove pain in the area of cones and adiposes of unknown origin. Lipomas are generally better not to try to treat on their own - this often causes their growth and degeneration of cells.
Capsicam: turpentine and camphor against pain
This is one of the most popular warming ointments for joints. Meanwhile, the instruction for the tool also offers many areas of application.
It is worth remembering contraindications: the ointment cannot be used on skin areas with abrasions, wounds and scratches. It is undesirable to use it during pregnancy and lactation (only after consultation with your doctor). Children are also better off not being treated with Capsicam: delicate and sensitive skin is almost guaranteed to receive a burn from turpentine, which is part of the product. For the same reason, it is extremely undesirable to use ointment on the mucous region. It will take even more time to treat a burn than the initial ailment. But "Capsicum" is ideal for the treatment of ligaments and joints.
Turpentine and camphor as part of the ointment penetrates the upper layers of the skin without disturbing its respiratory functions. Due to this property, the ointment was adopted by athletes. Before serious loads on the ligamentous apparatus, they perform special bandages, which on the side resemble a compress. Capsicum is applied to problem areas of the body, and from above, after partial absorption, the knees and hands are bandaged with elastic bandages. This prevents sprains, and if they hurt - relieves pain in problem areas. Hands, knees, lower back are the most common places on which Capsicum is applied under elastic bandages.
The cost of one package, in comparison with other drugs of the same action, is very attractive. Sredsto you can buy without a prescription in any pharmacy at a fairly cheap price in any corner of our country. Prices, depending on the region:
- tube of 50 g - about 350 rubles;
- 30 g tube - about 200 rubles.
"Finalgon": a popular remedy for pain from injuries
The composition of this, perhaps, the most popular warming ointment includes two active ingredients - nicoboxyl and nonivamide. The product is sold in 20 mg metal tubes. The cost of one is about four hundred rubles. The price is quite high - this is largely due to very aggressive marketing and massive advertising of this tool on TV.
Instructions for use with ointment "Finalgon" reports that the drug is effective as an independent drug or as part of complex therapy for the following ailments and conditions:
- Myalgia of muscle tissue, provoked by excessive physical exertion.
- Neuritis is severe pain in different parts of the body, provoked by aseptic (non-infectious) inflammation of the peripheral nerves.
- Arthralgia of rheumatic origin.
- Bursitis is an inflammation of the joints, which is most often accompanied by sharp pain when trying to act with a sore arm or not step on the foot.
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joint that gives patients unbearable pain, makes the feet or hands inoperative, and in some cases, the joints of the fingers.
- Lumbago (pain in the lumbar region of the ridge) caused by inflammatory processes.
- Sprain caused by excessive physical exertion and overwork.
The product is intended for external use. The conditions for safe use must be observed. Instructions for use with ointment "Finalgon" informs that it should not be used by pregnant and lactating women, applied to skin with wounds, scratches, abrasions. In no case should you apply ointment to areas of the mucosa.
After just ten minutes after applying a thin layer of “Finalgon” to the area of the skin, a strong burning begins. This is completely normal - due to it, the ointment also acts. A rush of blood to a sore joint provides relief of pain after twenty to thirty minutes. To consolidate the effect, ointment should be used three to four times a day.
Efkamon: cheap and effective
Camphor is a part. This is the main component, due to which an inexpensive warming ointment has a healing effect. The product is packaged in tubes of 20 mg. The cost of one is about one hundred and fifty rubles. Method of application - standard for a warming ointment for the back: apply a thin layer to a sore spot. You can not bandage or cover with a blanket or try to warm the sore spot in another way. Efkamon will work without such events.
After about ten minutes, a rather severe burning sensation will begin. Camphor allows you to maintain cellular respiration, despite its cheapness. In some cases, an allergic reaction develops on this component: the epidermis is covered with small red pimples, and the patient experiences not just a burning sensation, but severe pain. With such symptoms, immediately wash off the product with cold water. Pay special attention: cold water.
If you wash off the warming ointment with hot water, the patient will experience severe pain, and in some cases, a burn may occur. It is very important to use the most cold water - in this case, even with individual intolerance to camphor, you can get rid of the unpleasant consequences of using the ointment.
Thermobalm "Lifeguard forte"
This is an inexpensive and popular tool, the main active component of which is a capsaicin solution, sea buckthorn and ghee, retinol and tocopherol. Thanks to this combination of ingredients, the ointment has not only a warming effect, but also a nourishing, moisturizing one. It is thanks to the rich composition that the manufacturers designated the product not just as an ointment, but as a thermal balm.
Pharmacological action of the baller "Lifeguard forte":
- capsaicin oil solution will warm muscles and joints, improve microcirculation and increase blood circulation in muscles and joints;
- turpentine oil and methyl nicotinate will relieve swelling of the joints due to the vasodilating effect;
- essential oil of fir and calendula oil extract will stop the inflammatory process;
- oil extracts of Rhodiola rosea and eleutherococcus, sea buckthorn oil will relieve tension in the muscles and joints and restore mobility and performance;
- Vitamin E protects the body from the damaging effects of free radicals and prevents premature aging of muscles and joints;
- Vitamin A will improve the condition of the skin and the body's ability to resist infections.
How to apply balm to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect? You can simply apply a thin layer on the back, hands or feet. Already after ten to fifteen minutes, a rather tangible warming effect will begin. Can be applied under elastic bandages - this method is usually chosen by weightlifters who fear a possible sprain. If a person has sensitive skin - you can apply the product under a wet compress. This will provide the most soft and delicate effect and prevent the development of a possible burn.
The oils in the composition can leave greasy marks on clothes, so thermal balm is better to use under a bandage if the patient is going to dress and leave the house. Treatment can be carried out at home. In this case, you can apply thermal balm just to the skin, without any additional dressings.
Viprosal with snake venom from pain
It is used only externally as a warming and painkiller for arthritis, rheumatic pains. Orthopedists often prescribe ointment for pain caused by diseases of the spine - osteochondrosis, scoliosis, lordosis. Neurotropic snake venom effectively restores bundles of muscle tissue. Thanks to this action, "Viprosal" is actively used by athletes during the period of maximum load. With stretching muscles, ligaments, with injuries of cartilage, the ointment has proven effective. You can use it as a compress or elastic bandage, or simply apply a thin layer. Please note that the oils in the composition may leave greasy stains on clothing.
Contraindications to the use of ointment are reduced to the presence of snake venom in its composition:
- lupus;
- insufficiency of cerebral and coronary circulation;
- extreme degree of physical exhaustion and asthenia;
- anorexia and general weakness:
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
Snake venom is an effective warming and anti-inflammatory agent that also has the ability to restore joint integrity. But the abundance of contraindications and a rather high possibility of developing an allergic reaction already at the first application makes Viprosal not the most popular remedy.
The warming "Doctor Mom" with a cold
This remedy can even be used to treat children. The safest warming ointment. From cough, runny nose, sore throat, she has repeatedly proved its effectiveness. Among tens of thousands of Russians, this remedy is considered the most effective at the first sign of the flu, the common cold. The almost complete absence of side effects, the natural composition and the ability to use Dr. Mom for the treatment of children played a role.
The composition includes eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor, thymol. The warming effect of this ointment is not the strongest. Therefore, it can be used on the nasal mucosa: it almost never causes an allergic reaction or side effects. On the contrary, runny nose and nasal congestion almost instantly go away. In some cases, individual intolerance to camphor is found. Despite the fact that it is not much in the composition of the ointment, it causes a slight swelling and discomfort. With such symptoms, it is better not to apply this inexpensive warming ointment to the nasal mucosa.
When coughing, Dr. Mom should be rubbed over the surface of the chest and going to bed, covered with a warm blanket. As a rule, as part of a comprehensive treatment, the ointment helps to get rid of coughing within two to three days.
Medical advice: how to use warming ointments for muscles
Simple tips will help prevent possible unpleasant consequences (burns, burning and pain) from using such drugs:
- wash off the ointment only with cool water;
- apply the ointment only with gloves;
- avoid applying to the skin on which there are at least small cracks, not to mention wounds and scratches;
- do not use in the face and scalp;
- Do not use warming ointments to get rid of cosmetic skin defects.