Mustard plasters?

[Kaarjuus]

As a combined result of current pneumonia and a former injury, I am suffering from back pains. My doctor recommended that I use mustard plasters.

Around this part of Europe, mustard plasters are like an old folk remedy. 20 years ago at least, in the Soviet times, everybody used them. I remember having them applied to me in my childhood, for colds and perhaps other ailments. They are supposed to be used in case of respiratory infections (chest and back areas), muscle pains (spine, waist), joint pains and nerve aches (I'm reading this from the back of the plaster packet). Many people also recommend them for coughs and runny noses.

They can be bought in a pharmacy in ready-made packets (see attached image) that are to be dipped in warm water and then applied to the problematic region for up to 15 minutes. So I bought and used them a couple of times. At first it produced a mildly burning sensation; after I removed the plaster, I was left with a pretty pleasant feeling of heat, which also passed soon.

But what good are they really? I tried to find some answers on the web, but a google search yielded nothing except a few sites claiming it to be "a tried and true remedy". A search on pubmed yielded pretty much nothing as well.

 

[Alice Shortcake]

I suppose mustard plasters have a similar effect to warming ointments and sprays such as Ralgex, or holding a hot water bottle to the affected region. The relief they give is short-lived but better than nothing.

 

[The SkepDoc]

Heat may make you feel better temporarily but has no effect on final outcome. There may be a counterirritant effect (the principle of hitting your thumb with a hammer so you won't notice your sore toe). I you believe in them, they can have a placebo effect. There is a real psychological advantage to "doing something" and feeling in control. They are also useful for keeping the patient occupied and distracted and giving the problem time to subside on its own.

 

[BenBurch]

When I have something like that, I just drink Scotch Whiskey moderately until it subsides. (Consult your physician. I'm just an ex-tavern owner.)

 

[MG1962]

A friend of mine was touring the Soviet Union in the last days of the evil empire He came down with a terrible chest infection - And mustard packs were applied. He has sworn by them ever since

 

[Big Les]

I would imagine a similar effect could be inadvertantly gained by chopping chillies for dinner and accidentally handling one's genitals later on. In other words, distraction. When I'm busy with something, I don't notice my otherwise constant aching shoulders from too much driving with bad posture. Perhaps I should try some homoeopathy?