Warming ointments are used for prophylaxis (in order to avoid damage during exercise), directly in the treatment of trauma (stretch marks, breakdowns, the like), for diseases of the musculoskeletal system (inflammation, bursitis, pain in swellings, etc.).
Direction of drug action:
- warms up tissue;
- improves blood flow;
- removes inflammation;
- relieves pain;
- reduces swelling after injury.
Relief comes from the irritating properties of the outer tissues. When they warm up, heat increases in the inner layers of the sore spot, blood circulation accelerates, muscle fibers warm up, and stiffness in movements disappears.
Apply only externally. If there is an injury, they turn to the doctor for advice, the doctor prescribes complex treatment.
Warming ointments for training
Recommended for athletes in athletics not only special creams, balms, gels, but also various ointments with the effect of hyperemia.
Athletes can choose among the following items:
- based on bee venom: Apizartron, Virapin, Forapin;
- contains snake toxin: Vipratox, Viprosal;
- based on irritants of plant origin: Kapsikam, Kapsoderma, Gevkamen, Efkamon;
- Ben-Gay;
- Finalgon;
- Dolpik;
- Nikoflex;
- Emspoma (type "O", type "Z");
- Mobilat.
The main purpose of the above means is treatment! In addition to the main active ingredients, warming drugs include complex drugs: antiseptic, analgesic, relieving inflammation, tissue regeneration.
Why do we need warming ointments?
They are useful not only for athletes. Athletes of any discipline need to prepare tissues for stress. In cold weather, during training, it is easy to pull a muscle, tendon or "rip" the back. One awkward movement while jogging can give pain in an unheated muscle or the meniscus and lower back will react.
To prevent this from happening, start your workouts correctly: light warm-up + application of a warming agent. In case of injuries, heat therapy comes to the rescue. We are talking only about cases when there are no breaks and other dangerous damages!
The composition of useful ointments for athletes
The active substance that is part of the composition is aimed at local irritation and must quickly, sharply or gently, warm the area, penetrating inside. All components of this group are of plant or animal (poisons) origin.
The main substance in the compositions:
- pepper extract;
- mustard extract;
- bee venom;
- snake poison.
Excipients act as analgesics, have an anti-inflammatory effect, complement the action of other components.
Additional substance in the formulations:
- salicylates;
- ketoprofen;
- ibuprofen;
- indomethacin;
- diclofenac;
- oils (fir, mustard, eucalyptus, cloves; others);
- sap;
- turpentine;
- paraffin, petrolatum, glycerin, the like;
- other substances.
It happens that the composition contains camphor, menthol. They act as an antiseptic, reduce the side effect of active ingredients (they tend to cool, so there is no strong burning sensation). The presence of such a component reduces the degree of heating.
What are the best ointments for this purpose?
The tool is selected based on the purpose of the destination:
- warm up tissue before training;
- relieve stress, fatigue after physical exertion;
- to calm down, to cure in case of illness, injury.
Before sports activities, select mild drugs that stimulate muscle activity: Nikoflex, Gevkamen, Efkamon, Emspoma (type "O").
After training, focus on the relaxing properties of drugs: Ben-Gay, Emspoma (type "Z").
For the treatment of injuries, a competent person (doctor, trainer) will be offered to choose: Kapsikam, Diclofenac, Artro-Active, Apizartron, Virapin, Forapin, Vipratox, Viprosal, Finalgon, Dolpik, and others.
What to look for when choosing?
For prevention, avoid the use of drugs based on non-steroidal substances (ibuprofen, methyl salicyate, the like). Such drugs slow down the growth of muscle fibers, thereby reducing the result of training (Dr. A. L. McKay). Also use Diclofenac only for treatment - with uncontrolled use, the substance disrupts the production of insulin in the body, increases the risk of diabetes.
People with an increased level of sweating should opt for weaker drugs: sweat enhances the effect of the active substance, as a result of which the skin begins to burn incredibly.
Top 5 best warming ointments
According to a poll among athletes, the 5 best warming drugs for prevention were selected.
Scroll:
- Nikoflex (Hungary): 45% of the people surveyed voted. The argument is - gently warms up, no burning sensation, no allergic manifestations, no unpleasant odor.
- Kapsikam (Estonia): 13% of participants opted for it. It doesn't stink, it gets very hot, sometimes it burns.
- Finalgon: 12% of votes. The 1% gap does not play a significant role, since the reviews about the finalgon and capsicam coincide.
- Ben-Gay: 7% appreciated its effects after exercise. Not suitable for preheating.
- Apizartron: won only 5% of the votes because of the only drawback - it is impossible to use outside the home due to the presence of an unpleasant odor.
The sixth in line is Viprosal based on snake venom (4%). Means with other herbal components took the lower steps: from 0 to 3% of the participants voted for each, arguing that they had a weakly expressed warming property.
The voting did not take into account warming medications that are prescribed during treatment.
How are warming ointments used?
Do not apply to damaged skin: the slightest scratch increases the burning sensation.
Precautions:
- conduct a sensitivity test;
- after application, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water;
- avoid touching mucous membranes (eyes, mouth ...).
Contraindications:
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- individual intolerance to the components.
The test for sensitivity to the components is carried out without fail before initial use. Apply a small amount of the product to the wrist, wait 30-60 minutes. In the absence of redness, rash, severe burning sensation, the test was successful: it is suitable for use individually by you.
With severe burningdo not wash off with hot water - first, remove with a cotton pad from the skin using a fatty product (oil, cream, petroleum jelly), then wash off with cool water and soap. Do not wait for the effect to weaken - burns may occur.
Basic rules of application:
- Before training: apply from 2 to 5 mg or 1-5 cm (read the instructions) funds to the working group, distribute over the entire surface, be sure to do a light massage (substances are activated).
- In case of injury, the area is first cooled, and after a few hours, warming treatment is started (for sports injuries, a competent person must be consulted).
- If the exercises involve a load on the legs, the knee, ankle joints, hips, and ankles are treated. When performing programs using rings, a horizontal bar, etc., it is recommended to do a general massage with a warming ointment, or at least rub your back, shoulder girdle, and hands with it.
- During treatment - do not rub: distribute over the area, wait until it is absorbed.
- Concentrated preparations during training cause severe burning sensation during perspiration. Choose the right product for your skin type.
It is ineffective in massages for weight loss, cellulite elimination (there is not a single confirmation among medical studies).
Reviews of the main ointments
“I think Nikoflex is the best. Before the exercises, right in the gym, I smear the folds of the elbows and put on the elbow pads. It does not burn, there is no pain afterwards. I haven't found anything of the minuses. "
Kirill A.
“The doctor attributed to the Capsics. Among the disadvantages: a very burning agent, it does not warm for long. Advantage - the muscle inflammation was removed immediately, it quickly begins to warm up "
Julia K.
“I don’t know how Finalgon behaves in training, but he heals exclusively. The neck started to turn after the second application. "
Elena S.
“Well, this Apizartron stinks. The minus is strong. But it heals 100%. The trainer suggested to me to smear it on a stretched leg (a tendon, probably) and it is inexpensive. "
Yuri N.
“I played badminton (the weather is wonderful, + 8 ° С), it was fun. The next morning, pain in the forearm began. A friend gave Vipratox, after the first application, the pain subsided, and within a week it passed completely. "
Roman T.
“I use Monastyrskaya Mustard for warming up. Inexpensive, does not burn, from contraindications - individual intolerance. "
Nelya F.
“Ben-Gay definitely shouldn't be used before sports, there's no point. Recently I read that it is smeared after physical exertion. It is not yet clear whether I like her or not. "
Vladimir M.
Read the instructions carefully - they are, first of all, medicinal products that require a certain dosage, method of application. Warming ointments do not have the ability to strengthen fibers, tendons and ligaments, but only protect against damage.
Choose a product according to individual requirements (prevention, recovery, treatment, before / after training), take into account the sensitivity of your skin to its composition. When applied correctly, each ointment will work effectively.
