Shoulder Pain Relief, Without Drugs
Adjunctive pain relief with continuous, wearable therapy.
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 shoulder pain; individual results vary and it does not address the underlying condition.
Why Shoulder Pain Persists
Shoulder pain can make reaching, dressing, or sleeping uncomfortable. A clinician can help assess persistent symptoms.
Targeted Support for Shoulder Pain
ActiPatch® delivers nonthermal, noncontact therapy at the shoulder. Unlike TENS units, it is a self-contained wearable with no electrode pads or lead wires to manage. Wear it directly on the skin secured with the included tape or wrap, or over thin/light clothing. Thick fabric reduces therapy reaching the area. The device produces no tingling sensation.
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
Position the loop over the painful shoulder area as directed
With regular use
Notice whether shoulder pain changes with use
Over time
Discuss persistent pain with a clinician
Responses and timing vary; relief is not guaranteed.
Where to Place It
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.
- Front of shoulder
- Top of shoulder
- Behind the shoulder depending on pain location
Place over the painful area as directed in the package insert.
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—no electrode pads or lead wires to manage. Designed to operate without perceptible heat or tingling from the device.
What shoulder pain can feel like
Shoulder pain may be an ache across the top of the joint, tenderness at the front, or soreness toward the back. Reaching overhead or lying on one side may make it more noticeable. The shoulder moves through several joints, so note the precise site of discomfort and which movements bring it on.
Common musculoskeletal contributors
Muscle strain, repetitive overhead activity, and irritation around shoulder tendons or joints are common possibilities. Pain can also be referred from the neck or another source. A device positioned over the shoulder provides adjunctive musculoskeletal pain relief; it cannot identify the cause or repair an injured tendon.
When to see a clinician
Get urgent care for severe shoulder pain after a fall, obvious deformity, or sudden inability to move the arm. Shoulder discomfort together with chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating needs emergency evaluation. Speak to a clinician about pain that is unexplained, persistent, or accompanied by weakness or numbness.
Where to position the loop
Use the spot you can identify as the main area of shoulder pain, whether that is the front, outer, or upper shoulder. Follow the package insert and keep the device away from broken skin. If pain is actually coming from the neck or radiating down the arm, ask a clinician about proper evaluation.
Wearing it during your day
For desk work and getting dressed, check that a shirt seam or shoulder strap does not shift the loop. Secure it directly on skin with included tape or a wrap, or position it over a thin t-shirt. Avoid a thick jacket between the device and skin. Remove it before showering, bathing, or swimming.
What does the published evidence say?
Rawe and Kotak's 2015 UK chronic-pain registry described self-reported pain responses in users of wearable pulsed shortwave therapy. This observational registry included a broad pain population; it was not a shoulder-specific randomized trial and had no sham comparison. It cannot establish how well the device will work for an individual shoulder problem. ActiPatch remains an adjunct for musculoskeletal pain relief only, not treatment of a shoulder injury. See the science page for context.
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 shoulder 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.