Sports Injury Pain Relief, Without Drugs
ActiPatch® is an FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234), drug-free wearable for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain at the painful musculoskeletal area after activity. 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 sports injuries; individual results vary and it does not address the underlying condition.
How Sports Injuries Can Limit Your Day
Sprains, strains, tendon overuse, and activity-related soreness can make training and everyday movement uncomfortable. New or severe injuries need appropriate clinical assessment.
Targeted Therapy for Sports Injury Pain
ActiPatch® provides nonthermal, noncontact pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) over the painful musculoskeletal area after activity. 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 musculoskeletal area after activity as directed in the package insert.
With regular use
Notice whether pain after activity 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
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.
- Over the sore muscle
- Over a painful joint area
- Near the site of tendon overuse discomfort
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 activity-related pain can feel like
After a workout, musculoskeletal discomfort may feel like a localized ache in a muscle or tenderness around a joint. A sudden sharp pain during a movement is a different pattern from gradually developing soreness. Note when symptoms began and whether swelling, bruising, or a loss of movement followed.
Common musculoskeletal contributors
Strains, sprains, and repetitive loading are possible causes of activity-related discomfort. Some symptoms can indicate a more significant injury that needs diagnosis and rehabilitation. ActiPatch offers adjunctive pain relief; it does not repair a torn ligament, speed recovery, or make it safe to return to sport before a clinician advises it.
When to see a clinician
Seek prompt assessment after a major impact or fall, visible deformity, inability to bear weight, or rapid swelling. New numbness or significant weakness also needs attention. If pain persists despite rest or returns as soon as activity resumes, discuss it with a clinician or qualified sports-medicine professional.
Where to position the loop
For a sore muscle or joint, position the loop over the identified site of musculoskeletal pain according to the package insert. Do not apply it over an open cut or use it to mask pain while continuing an activity that may worsen an injury. Placement is for pain relief, not a substitute for evaluating a new injury.
Wearing it during your day
During ordinary movement, check that clothing and equipment do not shift the loop. Secure directly on skin with included tape or a wrap, or over a thin layer of clothing. Avoid thick compression layers between device and skin. Keep it dry, and follow your clinician's plan for activity and return to training.
What does the published evidence say?
The UK chronic-pain registry reported by Rawe and Kotak in Pain Management (2015) describes self-reported pain outcomes with wearable pulsed shortwave therapy. It is observational, covers a mixed pain population, and was not a controlled trial of acute sports injuries. It cannot establish injury recovery benefits or a timetable for safe return to play. The science page distinguishes this registry from randomized trials. ActiPatch is for adjunctive musculoskeletal pain relief only.
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 sports injuries.
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.