ActiPatch^® vs a Knee Brace or Back Brace: Which Helps Pain?

What does a brace do?

Knee, back, wrist, and ankle braces support, compress, or limit movement. That can make a joint feel more stable. A brace does not send any therapy into the tissue, so relief depends on the support itself.

Where does ActiPatch^® come out ahead?

ActiPatch^® delivers therapy instead of only support. It sends a gentle 27.12 MHz pulsed signal into the area for as long as you wear it, with no heat, no tingling, and no drug.

It weighs about 9.5 grams, so it does not restrict how the joint moves. One device provides up to 720 therapy hours.

Can you use both?

Yes. Place the loop on the skin over the painful area and wear the brace over it. The brace can also help hold the loop in place.

What does the research show?

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial in people with knee osteoarthritis (Bagnato and colleagues, Rheumatology, 2016), the study reported a difference in pain outcomes between active and sham devices. Individual results vary.

ActiPatch^® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It has no drug ingredient, and you wear it for hours at a time right over the sore area.

Who should not use ActiPatch^®?

Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device.

Do not use if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

Not for use by or on children under 17.

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.

The device is not sterile. Do not place it in direct contact with open wounds.

Check in with your doctor if the pain changes, gets worse, or isn't easing after a few weeks. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.

Read the supplied package insert before use.