Back Pain Relief, Without Drugs
Target pain at the source with continuous, wearable therapy designed to fit into your daily life.
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 actipatch.com. It may be positioned over musculoskeletal pain associated with back pain; individual results vary and it does not address the underlying condition.
Why Back Pain Persists
Back pain can make sitting, walking, and everyday tasks uncomfortable. Muscle tension and repetitive strain are among many possible contributors; a clinician can help identify the cause.
A Different Approach to Pain Management
ActiPatch® delivers continuous, nonthermal, noncontact therapy. 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
Place the loop over the painful area as directed
With regular use
Notice whether back pain changes with use
Over time
Reassess persistent pain with a clinician
Responses and timing vary; relief is not guaranteed.
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.
- Lower back
- Mid-back
- Along the spine where pain is most intense
Start with the most painful area and adjust as needed.
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 back pain can feel like
Back pain may be a dull ache across the lower back, a sore spot beside the spine, or discomfort that becomes more noticeable after sitting. It may fluctuate through the day. Where the pain starts and whether it travels into a leg are useful details to tell a clinician rather than reasons to assume a specific diagnosis.
Common musculoskeletal contributors
Muscle strain after lifting, prolonged sitting, and repetitive bending can all contribute to back discomfort. Joints and other structures of the spine may also be involved. A wearable pain-relief device cannot tell you which structure is responsible. If the pain is new or unexplained, seek an assessment before relying on self-care.
When to see a clinician
Seek urgent medical attention for back pain with new bowel or bladder problems, weakness in a leg, numbness around the groin, fever, or significant trauma. Ask a clinician about pain that persists, worsens, or travels down the leg. ActiPatch is intended for musculoskeletal pain relief, not evaluation of a serious underlying cause.
Where to position the loop
Place the loop over the area of musculoskeletal discomfort, such as one side of the lower back rather than guessing at a deeper structure. Follow the package insert for positioning. Do not place the device on an open wound. If pain shifts or spreads, discuss that change with a clinician instead of assuming repositioning alone is enough.
Wearing it during your day
At a desk, check that a chair back or waistband does not dislodge the loop. Secure ActiPatch directly on skin with the included tape or a wrap, or position it over thin clothing such as a t-shirt. Thick layers may reduce therapy reaching the area. Remove the device before bathing or swimming; it is not waterproof.
What does the published evidence say?
The most directly relevant published report for chronic back pain is the Staelin and colleagues 2017 chronic back pain registry. It described self-reported pain outcomes in people choosing to use wearable pulsed shortwave therapy. This is observational evidence, not a randomized, placebo-controlled trial; it cannot isolate a device effect or predict your result. Read the study and the broader evidence discussion on the science page. ActiPatch is cleared for adjunctive musculoskeletal pain relief, not treatment of an underlying back condition.
Source: Staelin et al., Pain Management, 2017. Read the ActiPatch science overview.
Important Usage Guidelines
Not a Cure: ActiPatch® is intended for adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain, not a cure for back 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.