Various injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system cause severe pain in the joints, ligaments and muscles. Often they are accompanied by inflammation and swelling of the tissues. In order to cope with this condition, painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are used. They quickly help relieve pain and swelling. But there are a lot of such drugs, and they all have a different composition and mode of action. Therefore, before use, you should consult a doctor.
Features of the action of such drugs
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are used for various injuries, pain in muscles and joints due to hypothermia or overexertion, for osteochondrosis, sciatica and arthrosis. They are very effective in the complex therapy of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Their popularity can be explained by the fact that when applied to the skin, they have the following effect:
- relieve pain;
- improve tissue nutrition;
- accelerate blood circulation;
- reduce swelling and inflammation;
- eliminate muscle spasms.
Pain Relief Ointment Groups
Such drugs are prescribed depending on the characteristics and causes of pain. It is necessary to consult a doctor so that he can help you choose the right medicine. All painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments, depending on the characteristics of the action, are divided into several groups:
- drugs with a cooling effect relieve pain, swelling and redness;
- means containing analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances are prescribed for muscle or joint pain, sciatica and osteochondrosis;
- to resolve congestion in tissues, ointments with a warming and irritating effect on the skin are used;
- preparations containing chondroprotectors help with diseases of the joints.
Ointment with cooling effect
Such drugs are used immediately after an injury to quickly relieve pain and prevent swelling and hematoma. They usually contain menthol, plant essential oils, camphor and other substances. Most often, such drugs are produced in the form of a gel, so the active ingredients penetrate deeper into the tissues faster. Do not rub them into the skin, as this can cause swelling. They are prescribed for pain in the spine and joints associated with overstrain, after sprains and muscles. Most often, such ointments with a cooling effect are used: Quick Gel, Ben Gey, Reparil and others.
Warming ointments
Such fundscontain components that irritate the skin, accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes in tissues. Therefore, they have an analgesic effect, relieve muscle spasms and warm. Due to the pronounced stimulating effect on the nervous system, such drugs are not used at night. You can use them to warm up the muscles before training or with osteochondrosis, myalgia, sciatica.
Painkillers and warming ointments should not be used immediately after an injury, as they can provoke increased inflammation or bleeding. The basis of such drugs can be different components:
- medicinal plants and essential oils, such as Myoton ointment;
- bee venom contains Apizartron;
- Snake venom contained in Viprosal ointment also has a warming effect;
- Means based on capsaicin, an extract of hot peppers, such as Nicoflex, are also effective.
Ointments with chondroprotective action
These drugs also have an analgesic effect. But this happens due to the restoration of cartilage tissue and the removal of inflammation. They contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which are the basis of cartilage. Most often, "Chondroitin" (ointment) is prescribed by doctors for dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. Such drugs restore the volume of intra-articular fluid and slow down degenerative processes in arthrosis and osteochondrosis. You need to know that such drugs do not have a quick analgesic effect, you need to use themlong courses.
The most famous drugs of this group are "Artrocin", "Honda", "Chondroxide" and "Chondroart" ointment. When choosing a drug, you need to look so that it contains dimexide, which helps the active ingredients to penetrate into the deeper layers of tissues. It is because of him that Chondroitin, an ointment with a chondroprotective effect, is so effective.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Such funds should not be used for a long time without a doctor's prescription. They contain components that can accumulate in tissues and have systemic side effects. These painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments are among the most popular remedies for the treatment of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system and internal organs:
- muscle inflammation due to hypothermia or increased physical activity;
- renal colic;
- pain after injury or surgery;
- sciatica, lumbago or sciatica;
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis.
They include various analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substances. Such ointments relieve pain by suppressing the activity of mediators of the inflammatory process. They relieve swelling and pain symptoms. All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be divided into groups depending on the main active ingredient.
- Ketoprofen-based ointments relieve pain and help remove swellingfabrics. This substance prevents the release of enzymes that provoke the inflammatory process. Ketoprofen quickly penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue, especially if the drug is made in the form of a gel. The most popular drugs based on it are Ketonal, Fastum Gel.
- Ointments containing ibuprofen, a substance considered the safest and most effective for relieving pain and inflammation. They are used for arthritis, gout, pinched nerves, sciatica, rheumatism and muscle pain. The most commonly used ointments based on ibuprofen are Nurofen, Dolgit, Ibuprofen, Deep Relief and others.
- Diclofenac effectively relieves pain and inflammation. This substance not only inhibits the synthesis of mediators of the inflammatory process, but also improves blood circulation, and is also involved in tissue regeneration. The most popular remedy of this group is Voltaren Emulgel. Its price is quite high and can reach 500-600 rubles, depending on the packaging and manufacturer. But this does not stop patients, because the drug is very effective. In addition to it, "Ortofen", "Diklak" and "Diklovit" (ointment) are often used.
- Another anti-inflammatory substance can be part of ointments - nimesulide. It quickly relieves pain in muscles and joints caused by various reasons. It contains the drug "Nise", which can be used for a long time without the risk of side effects.
- The most inexpensive means are ointments based on indomethacin. This substance has long been used to treat arthritis, gout and osteochondrosis. Ointment "Indomethacin" can be bought for40-50 rubles.
Combination ointments
Such drugs contain several components and have a complex effect. They not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also accelerate cell regeneration, have a resolving and thrombolytic effect. They penetrate deep into the tissues and quickly relieve swelling after injury. Due to the improvement of blood circulation, the hematoma passes. In addition, combined ointments restore damaged cartilage, which improves joint mobility. The most famous remedy of this group is Dolobene.
The drug contains sodium heparin, which improves blood circulation and dissolves blood clots, an anti-inflammatory agent dimethyl sulfoxide and essential oils of plants.
"Fastum gel": instructions for use
The price of this popular drug is not very high - from 215 rubles. But it is very effective, so many with osteochondrosis, sciatica or muscle pain choose it. The basis of the drug is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance ketoprofen. In addition to relieving pain and swelling, it improves blood circulation and prevents blood clots. An ointment is used for radiculitis, osteochondrosis, arthritis, after injuries. It effectively relieves morning stiffness in the joints.
Voltaren ointment
This is another popular drug that is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Not only after bruises and sprains, but also with osteochondrosis, radiculitis and arthritis, "Voltaren emulgel" is prescribed. Its average priceis 350 rubles, but they often buy the drug due to its effectiveness. It quickly relieves pain and restores mobility.
Rules for using such ointments
For temporary pain relief, you can use any drug. But with long-term treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. After all, even external agents can have contraindications and sometimes cause allergic reactions. Therefore, you need to know how to use such ointments correctly.
- These products are applied in a thin layer to the affected area. In some cases, it is recommended to rub the ointment with massage movements and apply a warming bandage. This is done 2-3 times a day.
- Such ointments should not be used for various skin lesions, dermatitis and eczema.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used for longer than 2-3 weeks.
- Warming ointments are not used immediately after an injury.
- Preparations based on snake and bee venom can cause severe irritation and an allergic reaction.
