Hip Pain Relief, Without Drugs
ActiPatch® is an FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234), drug-free wearable for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain at the painful area of the hip. Individual results vary.
ActiPatch® is an FDA 510(k) cleared (K192234), drug-free wearable that delivers pulsed shortwave therapy at 27.12 MHz for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. One device provides 720 therapy hours and costs $39.99 at painkiller.care. It may be positioned over musculoskeletal pain associated with hip pain; individual results vary and it does not address the underlying condition.
How Hip Pain Can Limit Your Day
Hip pain can make walking, climbing stairs, and getting comfortable while sitting difficult. Persistent or worsening pain deserves clinical evaluation.
Targeted Therapy for Hip Pain
ActiPatch® provides nonthermal, noncontact pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) over the painful area of the hip. Wear the self-contained device directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing, as directed in the package insert. Thick fabric reduces therapy reaching the area. It is an adjunct to your existing care for pain relief only; it does not address the underlying condition.
ActiPatch® is FDA 510(k)-cleared under K192234 for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It is for pain relief only; it does not address the underlying condition. Individual results vary.
What You May Notice
Getting started
Place the treatment loop over the painful area of the hip as directed in the package insert.
With regular use
Notice whether hip pain changes with use; some people may not experience relief.
Over time
Review persistent or worsening symptoms with your healthcare professional.
There is no guaranteed relief schedule; response and timing vary between people.
Where to Place It
- 1
Place
Centre the treatment loop over the area of discomfort.
- 2
Secure
Use the included tape or wrap, or wear over thin clothing.
- 3
Keep dry
Remove before showering, bathing or swimming.
Place the device directly over the area of discomfort:
Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Thick fabric can reduce therapy reaching the area. Follow the package insert for positioning.
- Outer hip where discomfort is felt
- Side of the hip over the painful area
- Upper thigh near the hip if that is where pain is felt
Position the treatment loop over the site of pain and secure it according to the supplied instructions; keep the device dry.
The Science Behind It
ActiPatch® uses pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT), a nonthermal, noncontact form of PEMF technology operating at 27.12 MHz. Unlike TENS, it is a self-contained wearable with no electrode pads or lead wires to manage. Designed to operate without perceptible heat or tingling from the device. FDA 510(k) K192234 clears ActiPatch® for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
What hip pain can feel like
Hip-area discomfort can be felt on the outer side, toward the groin, or in the upper thigh. Some people notice it after walking or when lying on the affected side. Since pain in these areas can come from different sources, note its exact location and what makes it worse.
Common musculoskeletal contributors
Muscle or tendon strain, repetitive loading, and changes around the hip joint are among possible musculoskeletal contributors. Pain felt around the hip can also come from the lower back. ActiPatch offers adjunctive musculoskeletal pain relief over the painful area; it cannot determine which structure is responsible or address an underlying hip condition.
When to see a clinician
Seek prompt care after a fall, for severe hip pain, or if you cannot put weight on the leg. Fever or a visibly swollen, hot joint also warrants assessment. A clinician can evaluate persistent hip pain, new weakness, or pain that moves down the leg. Do not delay assessment of an unexplained symptom.
Where to position the loop
If discomfort is on the outer hip, position the loop over the sore area, not simply where you expect the joint to be. Follow the supplied positioning instructions and avoid open wounds. Deep groin pain or pain with major weight-bearing difficulty calls for clinical assessment rather than experimenting with device placement.
Wearing it during your day
Before walking or climbing stairs, check that a waistband, pocket seam, or bag strap does not move the loop. Secure it directly on skin with included tape or a wrap, or use a layer of thin leggings. Thick pants between device and skin may reduce therapy reaching the area. Remove it before bathing.
What does the published evidence say?
Rawe and Kotak reported a UK registry of people using wearable pulsed shortwave therapy for chronic pain in Pain Management (2015). Participants described their own pain experiences; there was no random assignment or placebo device. It is broad observational evidence and not a hip-specific controlled trial. It cannot establish that a person's particular hip pain will respond. Review the science page for the study context and seek evaluation of the underlying cause.
Source: Rawe and Kotak, Pain Management, 2015. Read the ActiPatch science overview.
Important Usage Guidelines
Not a Cure: ActiPatch® is intended for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, not a cure for hip pain.
Water Resistance: The device is not waterproof. Remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming.
Contraindications: Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device. Follow the supplied instructions for use.
Pregnancy: Do not use if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Not for children: Not for use by or on children under 17.
Pain of unknown cause: Do not use for sudden or unexplained pain, or if the cause of the pain is unknown. Not for pain deep in the body such as the chest or stomach, and not for cancer-related pain.
Open wounds: The device is not sterile. Do not place it in direct contact with open wounds.
If pain does not improve: If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.
See the package insert for full contraindications, warnings and precautions.