Sports and warming ointments: what they are and how to use them

Author: Maria Feldshtein

*Review of the best according to the editors of simplerule.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

For various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, warming ointments are used. These are local drugs with a pronounced irritating and analgesic effect. They stop inflammation, normalize metabolic processes, and stimulate tissue trophism. Used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. And some of them are used in complex therapy of diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

When are warming ointments needed?

Warming ointments help increase tissue temperature and blood flow. They are suitable for:

• local anesthesia;
• reducing swelling and inflammation;
• regeneration after injury;
• pain relief;
• increasing blood circulation and warming up muscles.

Thanks to their properties, warming ointments can be used for:

• warming up the muscles, increasing their elasticity and eliminating the feeling of stiffness;
• injury prevention;
• injury recovery and rehabilitation;
• relief of chronic inflammation in joints and ligaments.

Often, runners use warming ointments after the arrival of cold weather to avoid injuries due to unheated muscles. One careless movement without “warming up” can cause a sprain.

Warming ointments help prepare the athlete's tissues for the stress they will experience during the race and minimize the risk of injury. In this case, you should start with a light warm-up, and only then apply the product.

It is worth noting that the use of ointment does not replace a full warm-up before running. Easy and effective exercises are collected in the article 5-minute warm-up before running.

Operating principle

The components of ointments do not penetrate deeply into the skin, the active substances trigger a number of processes on its surface that help relieve swelling, inflammation, etc. Blood flows more actively to the area where the balm or cream is applied, which is why everyone feels the familiar warmth. Due to increased blood circulation, metabolic processes improve, penetration of necessary substances and oxygen into cells increases.

In addition, the active substances of warming external agents act on pain receptors, blocking the passage of a nerve impulse. With this, an analgesic effect is achieved, soft tissues relax, and discomfort goes away.

It is believed that due to increased blood circulation, these ointments are also effective in combating excess fat and the appearance of the so-called “orange peel”. However, the processes that occur during the development of cellulite affect deeper layers of tissue into which the components of ointments and creams do not penetrate. At the same time, activation of blood circulation can indeed have some effect if you combine their use with the necessary physical activity.

What's included

Since the task of these ointments is to warm up the muscles, they often contain hot substances: snake and bee venom, mustard and pepper extracts. These substances warm the tissues and help prepare the muscles for running.

At the same time, ointments are based on substances of plant and animal origin, since synthetic substances, for the most part, heat only the skin and do not penetrate the muscles.

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Warming ointments contain the following excipients: eucalyptus, mustard, fir oils, petroleum jelly, paraffin, glycerin, ibuprofen, diclofenac. They act as painkillers and antiseptics and reduce inflammation.

Indications

As a rule, warming drugs are used in the presence of the following conditions and diseases. These include:

• closed soft tissue injury;
• sprains;
• myalgia (pain in the muscles, which causes hypertonicity of myocytes, i.e. muscle cells in a state of tension or rest)
• pain in the joint;
• neuralgia (pathology that manifests itself in damage to certain parts of the peripheral nerves);
• radiculitis (damage to the spinal cord roots, causing motor, autonomic and pain disorders).
• vasodilation;
• pain relief;
• rheumatism (systemic inflammatory disease of connective tissue with a predominant localization of the pathological process in the membranes of the heart).

What to look for when choosing

First of all, it is necessary to take into account the presence of allergies to certain substances and the sensitivity threshold.

If you use warming ointments for prevention and warming up before jogging, do not purchase products based on non-steroidal substances. They will slow down the growth of muscle fibers and reduce the results of training. Medicines containing diclofenac should also be used only during the treatment period.

If you have excessive sweating, it is better to choose weaker drugs, since sweat enhances the effect of the burning substance, and the skin may begin to “burn”.

How to use

Before use, the warming ointment must be tested for allergic reactions. Apply a small amount to the area of ​​the popliteal fossa, wrist or elbow. If severe itching and redness do not appear after 15-20 minutes, the product can be used.

Before training, apply from two to five mg or 1-5 cm of the product: the ointment is distributed over the surface of the skin and a light massage is performed, which allows you to activate the work of the substances.

If you are injured, the affected area is first cooled and only after a few hours a warming ointment is applied. In this case, the product is not rubbed into the skin - you just need to apply it and leave until absorbed.

The ointment should be removed with cream or vegetable oil - attempts to wash off the ointment with water will lead to increased burning.

Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance to components, open wounds.

"Kapsikam"

The medication has a long-lasting effect - up to twelve hours. "Capsicam" contains a whole series of components that are designed to improve blood flow and warm up muscles. It can also be used for sports massage.

The drug has a pronounced irritant effect on the skin, due to which blood flow to the site of application of the ointment increases, providing a warming and analgesic effect.

After using the drug, the active substances are instantly absorbed into the blood and after a few minutes provoke a feeling of slight burning and warmth in this area.

Due to the warming effect, pain and muscle tension are reduced. The maximum result from applying Capsicam is observed after forty minutes and lasts for five hours.

The irritating effect of the ointment on small areas of the skin improves human health with myalgia, injuries, as well as bruises and inflammatory processes in the joints.

What not to do

Whatever warming ointment you choose, you need to handle it carefully so as not to harm yourself. So, ointment cannot:

• rub in without checking for sensitivity and allergic reactions;
• rinse with water;
• use in hot weather;
• apply to wounds and abrasions;
• use on areas with delicate skin (neck, abdomen, inner thighs);
• and also touch the mucous membranes with your hands after using the ointment.

After use, you should immediately wash your hands thoroughly - or even apply the ointment while wearing special gloves.

"Viprosal"

The medicine is intended for external use only. The active substances have a warming and analgesic effect. Getting under the skin, the active component irritates the nerve endings, due to which blood flow to the site of application of the medication improves.

Patients who used this drug for medicinal purposes noted that already ten minutes after applying the ointment, pain was eliminated.

It is strictly contraindicated to use Viprosal orally or apply the ointment to mucous membranes. After each application of the medicine, you should wash your hands well.

The drug is not recommended for the treatment of women who are preparing to become mothers. Active substances enter the blood, which means they can penetrate the placenta to the fetus.

Examples of warming ointments

The most common warming ointments among athletes are:

1. Nicoflex. It warms up gently, there is no burning or unpleasant odor.
2. Capsicam. It does not have an unpleasant odor, heats up quite strongly, and sometimes burns.
3. Finalgon. The nature of action and properties are similar to Capsicam.
4. Apizartron. Has a very unpleasant smell.
5. Viprosal. Doesn't burn, but has a specific smell.

Chondroprotectors

These products do not have a warming effect. They are used to restore and protect damaged cartilage tissue, which stops the development of diseases of the spine and joints.

The products contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine - these are substitutes for cartilage tissue extracted from the bones of fish and animals.

Chondroprotectors can affect the very cause of the disease

Additionally, these drugs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• Chondroxide – from 350 rub.
• Teraflex M – from 350 rub.
• Chondrofen – from 200 rub.

Cooling ointments for muscles

Unlike warming ointments, cooling ointments, on the contrary, create a cooling effect. In fact, they do not reduce body temperature, but only “deceive” the corresponding receptors, soothe pain, eliminate swelling and bruises.

Typically, cooling ointments are used after intense physical activity to relieve muscle tension. In addition, they can be used immediately after an injury, unlike warming ointments.

The composition of cooling ointments includes: analgesics, anticoagulants, menthol, essential oils. Due to these substances, the cooling effect is achieved.

When using cooling ointment after an injury, do not rub it in. You need to apply the product to the skin and wait until it is absorbed. Preparations in gel form are better suited, as they are absorbed faster and cool better.

Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance to the components.

Thai

Such ointments are created according to ancient recipes of Thai medicine from natural ingredients. You cannot buy such ointments in regular pharmacies. They can only be found in specialized stores.

Thai ointments cannot be bought in regular pharmacies

There are a total of 5 groups of balms from Thailand, which differ in color and mode of action.

1. White balm. This product is used for massage procedures. It has a mild effect.
2. Yellow balm. Used for bruises and joint pain. Has a warming effect. Contains turmeric.
3. Green balm. Has a cooling effect. It is recommended for use immediately after injury or to reduce inflammation. The balm is successfully used for colds. The composition includes camphor and eucalyptus oils and other components.
4. Red balm. Has a strong warming effect. It should not be used for exacerbation of spinal diseases. Contains chili pepper.
5. Black balm. This is the most powerful remedy. It has a good analgesic effect, relieves swelling and removes salts from joints. Has an effective warming effect.

Examples of cooling ointments

1. Bengay. Effectively helps relax muscles, quickly penetrates to the site of inflammation.
2. Repaired. It is well absorbed due to the release form (gel).
3. Deep relief. Quickly dulls acute pain and relieves inflammation.
4. Bystrumgel. Doesn't work very quickly. Effective for mild pain.
5. Sports gel-balm restoring “42”. Relieves fatigue, swelling, and with regular use strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

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