Warming patches for back pain: how do they work?

Back pain is among the most common health disorders. A disorder that, sometimes, turns out to be very limiting in movements and in carrying out normal daily actions. Among the most effective methods to solve this condition are warming patches for the back.

It is a type of treatment that uses heat as a therapeutic tool with analgesic and soothing purposes, to treat and cure certain diseases.

Taking advantage of the thermal principle, the patches act against muscle tension and joint pain in various parts of the body and in case of stiffness in the wrist, shoulder and neck areas.

The causes of back pain

Back pain can be located in various places in the spine, from the lumbar to the thoracic, from the cervical to the sciatic nerve.

The most common causes of back pain usually include:

• Contractures to the back muscles;
• Trauma to the bones or back muscles;
• Incorrect posture;
• Degenerative diseases, such as herniated discs, scoliosis or osteoarthritis;
• Strong stress;
• Overweight or obesity;
• Pregnancy;
• Too sedentary life;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, dental disorders or vascular problems;
• Intense practice of some sports (such as running that subjects the column to stresses and microtraumas).

What to use back warming patches for

The patches and self-heating bands are used for the treatment of osteo-muscular pain, chronic or occasional, mainly due to:

• Cramps;
• Contractures;
• Wryneck;
• Osteoarthritis (arthrosis);
• Muscle fatigue;
• Stretches.

How patches and heating bands work

The patches and bands use the active ingredients of thermotherapy or heat therapy to treat disorders of various kinds. Applied to the painful area, they allow the heat to penetrate deep into the muscle tissues, immediately inducing:

• Vasodilatation;
• Reactivation of blood circulation and tissue metabolism;
• Better oxygenation and tissue nourishment;
• Stimulation of nerve endings, sensitive to temperature, modulating (reducing) the transmission of pain signals to the brain;
• Production of endorphins, endowed with analgesic activity;
• Relaxation of the contracted muscle and its functional recovery;
• Attenuation of painful sensation.

What patches to use to relieve back muscle pain?

Two main categories of back patches can be distinguished:

• Anti-inflammatory patches;
• Self-heating patches.

The latter, unlike the former, do not contain pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs, but perform the same function thanks to the combined action of some thermal agents, such as iron, water, activated carbon and salt.

These are contained inside the heat cells of the patches which, once applied in direct contact with the skin, react chemically with the oxygen present in the air, heating up progressively, thus acting on the pain caused by excessive tension of the back muscles.

Warming back patches: how to use them

Patches that heat up are usually available in packs of 2 to 5 disposable bands (i.e. they are not reusable), and are designed to adapt perfectly to different parts of the body, following their movements.

They are very simple to use and also comfortable to wear under clothes.

Here are the 5 steps to follow for proper use:

1. Clean and dry the area to be treated;
2. Open the wrapper and remove the protective paper from both ends;
3. Place the product directly on the painful area, making sure that there is no skin lesion;
4. Make a slight pressure so as to make the adhesive part adhere perfectly to the skin;
5. The band will reach the correct therapeutic temperature in about 30 minutes.

Its beneficial effects will last for the next 8 hours. In this way you can get a prolonged relief over time.
Warming patches are generally effective in counteracting muscle and joint pain in the back.

The use of these patches does not present significant side effects that could be encountered. However, if you notice irritation, burning, swelling or redness in the area where you applied the product, remove it immediately and consult a doctor.