Joint Pain Relief, Without Drugs

A drug-free option for arthritis-related joint pain, with a clear role alongside your existing care.

ActiPatch® is a drug-free wearable, FDA 510(k)-cleared (K192234) for over-the-counter (OTC) adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It offers up to 720 therapy hours and can be used alongside other care for musculoskeletal pain associated with arthritis & joint pain. Results vary; it does not treat the underlying condition.

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Illustrative composite: older man's hand resting flat on a garden workbench with a 4.5-inch ActiPatch loop and control unit taped across the back of the hand and wrist
At the garden bench, a 4.5-inch ActiPatch® loop is taped across the back of the hand and wrist.The 4.5-inch loop is available by special order. Contact Electrome Corporation.

Arthritis Is More Than One Condition

A painful wrist, shoulder, or knee can change how you approach ordinary tasks. Arthritis is an umbrella term for several joint conditions, not another name for osteoarthritis alone. The affected joints and the pattern of pain, swelling, or morning stiffness help a clinician work out what care is appropriate.

Pain Support, Not Arthritis Treatment

ActiPatch® offers adjunctive relief for musculoskeletal joint pain and can be used alongside care for your diagnosed condition. It does not change the underlying joint disease. Evidence from a knee osteoarthritis study should not be generalized to every joint or every type of arthritis.

Drug-free adjunct for joint pain.
Placement focused on the currently painful joint
Can be used alongside your existing arthritis care

Follow One Joint's Pain Pattern

1

Getting started

Choose one painful joint and note discomfort during a familiar task, rather than combining several joints into one pain rating.

2

With regular use

Compare pain in that joint during similar activities. Keep track of new swelling or pain in other joints separately.

3

At 7 days

If pain does not improve after 7 days of use, stop and consult a doctor. A suddenly hot, red, swollen joint needs earlier assessment.

Responses and timing vary; ActiPatch® does not change the underlying joint disease.

Where to Place It

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. Keep the loop close to the skin and avoid thick layers between the device and skin. Follow the package insert for positioning.

  • Over the painful area of a knee
  • Over a sore wrist joint, following the supplied positioning instructions
  • Over the painful area of a shoulder

Placement depends on which joint hurts. Secure the loop as directed in the package insert, keep it off open wounds, and check its position when the joint moves.

Technology and Evidence

ActiPatch® is a self-contained wearable that uses pulsed shortwave therapy for drug-free pain support, with no noticeable heat or tingling sensation from the device. There are no electrode pads or wires to connect. FDA 510(k) K192234 clears ActiPatch® for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Read the evidence below and the science overview for study limits and technical details.

From the evidence library

What does the evidence show?

ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. These counts cover selected ActiPatch® clinical publications, not laboratory studies or studies of other devices. Study conditions and protocols differ, and individual results vary.

Published records
6
Each paper counted once
Randomized controlled trials
3
Library design label: RCT
Publication years
2012–2021
Earliest to latest record
What do clearance and research tell us?

FDA clearance identifies the device's permitted use; it is not an endorsement or a guarantee of results. These pain trials do not establish improved circulation, tissue repair, or reduced inflammation as ActiPatch® outcomes.

Read the FDA clearance record (opens in a new tab)

How soon might I notice a difference?

Individual experiences vary. Many people report noticing relief within a few hours; for some, it can take up to four days of consistent wear. Keep following the package directions and do not change medications or prescribed care without speaking with your healthcare provider.

RCT2016 · Rheumatology (Oxford)

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Bagnato GL, Miceli G, Marino N, Sciortino D, Bagnato GF

In a four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ActiPatch® trial in knee osteoarthritis, 66 people were randomized and 60 completed the study. The investigators reported improvements in pain and physical function compared with placebo. Participants wore the device 12 hours a day.

Read the source publication(opens in a new tab)
RCT2012 · Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Pulsed Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Therapy: A Potential Novel Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Brook J, Dauphinee DM, Korpinen J, Rawe IM

A seven-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied nightly use for plantar fasciitis. Among 70 participants who completed the study, the active-treatment group reported a greater reduction in morning pain than the placebo group.

Read the source publication(opens in a new tab)

Evidence describes study results, not a promise of the same result for everyone. This is not medical advice.

Explore the full evidence library

Map which joints hurt and when

A painful hand, knee, and shoulder do not necessarily share a cause. Note which joints ache, whether movement brings on pain, and how long stiffness lasts after rest. Symptoms can vary from day to day. Sharing that pattern at an appointment helps a clinician consider more than the joint that happens to hurt most today.

Arthritis is not a single diagnosis

Arthritis covers several joint conditions. Osteoarthritis is one possible source of pain, while overuse, strain, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms. ActiPatch® can be used alongside other care for musculoskeletal pain. It is not disease-modifying, meaning it does not change the underlying disease, and cannot replace assessment of an undiagnosed painful joint.

A hot, swollen joint needs attention

Seek prompt assessment if a joint suddenly becomes very red, hot, swollen, or painful, especially with fever. Significant injury or inability to bear weight also calls for care. If several joints become painful or morning stiffness persists, discuss this with a clinician. Do not dismiss a new pattern as ordinary wear and tear.

Focus on the joint that hurts now

Place the loop over the currently painful joint as directed in the package insert. A knee, wrist, and shoulder require different positioning, so use the painful area as your guide rather than copying placement from another joint. Avoid broken skin. Pain that shifts between joints deserves discussion with a clinician, not just repeated repositioning.

Keep your existing care plan in view

Check placement after dressing and during activities that move the joint. Secure the loop on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or over thin clothing such as leggings; avoid heavy fabric underneath. Keep it dry and remove before bathing or swimming. Do not change prescribed medication without advice from your clinician.

What does the published evidence say?

Rawe and Kotak's 2015 UK registry provides observational evidence from self-reported pain in a mixed chronic-pain population. It was not a joint-specific trial with a sham, or inactive-device, comparison, and cannot establish a response for any particular form of arthritis. The science page also discusses a separate randomized knee osteoarthritis study. Its knee findings should not be extended to all joints or all types of arthritis. These studies concern pain relief, not treatment of the underlying joint disease.

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 arthritis & joint 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Wear ActiPatch® directly on the skin with the included tape, or over a thin layer of clothing such as a t-shirt or leggings. Avoid thick fabric between the device and the skin. Follow the package insert for positioning.

It can be used as an adjunct for musculoskeletal pain. It is not a disease-modifying treatment, meaning it does not alter the underlying osteoarthritis. The knee-specific evidence discussed on this page does not establish the same response in other joints.

You can reposition it between painful joints as directed, but one loop covers the area where it is placed, not all joints at once. A new pattern of pain across several joints deserves clinical advice.

No. It can be used alongside your existing care but is not a reason to stop or change prescribed arthritis medication. Ask your healthcare provider before making treatment changes, even if pain improves.

Drug-Free Support for Joint Pain

Explore pain support that does not replace care for the underlying joint condition.

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