- What to Buy
Get ready for some serious pain relief.
By
Madison Alcedo
Madison Alcedo
Madison Alcedo writes about health, beauty, lifestyle and travel. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including Real Simple, Travel + Leisure, People and Men's Health.
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Updated October 19, 2022
Clinically reviewed by
Mohamad Hassan, PT
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Clinically reviewed byMohamad Hassan, PT
Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at Premier Physical Therapy in Chicago. He works both in outpatient rehabilitation and in home physical therapy.
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With a quick Google search on heating pads, you will find that most results are associated with body aches. This means that many people are in the same boat as you are: they are looking for an easy way to get rid of soreness quickly or restore muscle health after an intense workout. Heating pads can be great tools to help relieve pain at home, whether it's menstrual cramps orsore musclesfrom exercise They also help with pain in the shoulders, neck and feet; Acute low back pain is another common health issue that can benefit from heating pads. Here's what you need to know about the 10 best heating pads, based on your preferences. If you have stiff joints or muscle spasms, the heat works to reduce them by bringing more blood to the area of discomfort.People have used heat therapy or thermotherapy such as mud baths, steam treatments and hot springs for centuries. And even today we resort to them as a remedy for everyday pain. For example, heat can help relax tense uterine muscles, which explains why heating pads can relievemenstrual cramps. Furthermore, the research hasfound that using heat to relieve musculoskeletal pain is helpful compared with using drugs, placebos, or no treatment at all. Heating pads can offer pain relief through dry heat and moist heat methods, which differ based on the need for moisture to reduce discomfort. It's important to note that heating pads and wraps are often a short-term solution to acute pain. Also, always consult your doctor about any significant pain you are experiencing: not all pain can be improved with heating pads. This extra-large selection is a customer favorite due to its easy-to-use control presets, nine-foot power cord, and two-hour automatic shutoff. Sensor control technology ensures you get even heat across the entire 12-by-24-inch pad so you can treat everything from your spine to your shoulders. Plus, its soft fabric is comfortable and machine washable. Price at time of publication: $30 Suppose you are prone to neck and shoulder pain. If so, you'll appreciate how this heating pad's unique design rests precisely on your shoulders for targeted treatment. Experience dry or humid heat and enjoy automatic shut-off after two hours. The machine washable wrap has a weighted magnetic closure on the front to secure its placement. Amazon customers love it because it can ease the pain while they sit and work on other tasks. Price at time of publication: $36 "For some women, using a heating pad or taking a hot shower can relieve menstrual pain."Dra. Brett Worly, an associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, saidHealth. Use the heating pad for that time of the month (or whenever you have lower back pain). Just pop it in the microwave for about a minute and a half and you're done. Strap makes it even easier to wear on the front or back of the waist. Shoppers love the fact that it relaxes their muscles and mind thanks to the blend of herbs like lavender, chamomile and mint. Price at time of publication: $26 If you hate sitting around with cold feet, we have a solution. Not only does the heating pad have a material that's super soft on the skin, but reviewers love its simple, flat design. It even has a deep pocket to put your feet in while you sleep. With a handful of colors to choose from, this machine washable selection is sure to become a bedroom staple. Price at time of publication: $75 Consider trying a heated mattress pad on your bed for total comfort to ease leg, back, neck or shoulder pain. Amazon customers love this plush pick, which has 10 different heat settings that automatically adjust to your body's natural temperature fluctuations throughout the night. And thanks to the 10-hour automatic shut-off feature, you can sleep soundly. Price at time of publication: $140 for queen size Sunbeam has created a travel-size version of its trusty heating pads, and hundreds of reviewers agree that it lives up to its full-size predecessors. The compact straw heats up in just 30 seconds, offers six different temperature presets, and is fully machine washable. Simply attach the pad to your body or a chair with the attachment straps and press the on/off button for two hours of continuous pain relief. Price at time of publication: $23 Multitaskers will be obsessed with this portable heating pad in the shape of a medieval vest. The unique shape is comical yet allows you to simultaneously soothe your neck, shoulders and back with a single dry heat treatment. You'll have a choice of six different heat settings on the LED controller, which automatically run for two hours. Even better, the soft flannel is machine washable. Price at time of publication: $30 Deep aches and pains are best relieved by moist heat, which penetrates the skin better than dry heat and does not leave it dehydrated. But dry heat does offer benefits such as feeling good on the skin and lasting longer. Thankfully, this top-of-the-line pick offers a nine-foot power cord, two-hour automatic shut-off, and six heat settings. Price at time of publication: $20 Skip the cords and plugs by opting for this microwave pad. It's filled with a combination of flaxseed and rice and heats up in just 90 seconds to provide instant relief. Small enough to fit around your knees or in the crook of your neck, it's double-sided with a plush fleece lining and a soft cotton exterior to suit your preferences. The economical choice, also great for cold therapy, has thousands of rave reviews from buyers who say it's durable, reliable and easy to use. 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How do heating pads help with pain?
What are the best heating pads for pain relief?
Best Overall: Sunbeam King Size Heating Pad
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Best for Neck and Shoulders: Sunbeam Renue Microplush Thermal Wrap to Relieve Tension
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Best for Cramps: Nature's Approach Aromatherapy Belt Herbal Lumbar Wrap Pack
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Best for Feet: Serta Ultra Soft Plush Electric Heated Pad
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Best full body: Sunbeam padded thermal mattress
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Best for Travel: Sunbeam Small XPress Heating Pad
Melhor wearable: iTeknic Heating Pad
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Best Moist Heat: Sable Heating Pad
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Best Microwave: My Microwave Heating Pad
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FAQs
Is there a heating pad that won't burn you? ›
Pure Enrichment PureRelief Heating Pad
Not only does the pad have a strong heating system, but it's also made from soft fibers, which prevents the pad from burning the skin. Plus, it's wearable and covers your back, neck, and abdomen, so you can walk around the house in comfort.
Heat therapy increases blood flow to a specific area and improves circulation. This is because heat on an inflamed area causes the blood vessels to dilate, promoting blood flow to the injured area. Applying heat to an affected area can provide comfort and increase muscle flexibility, as well as heal damaged tissue.
What heating pads do hospitals use? ›Hospitals use water circulating heating pads in patient rooms and in the presence of oxygen equipment. Patients are also allowed to sleep on these types of heating pads in their beds. The pads can be folded and configured for use anywhere on the body without the concern of heat buildup or heat entrapment.
Which is the best orthopedic heating pad? ›- JSB H11 Electric Heating Pad for Knee Pain Relief. Team ProductLine. ...
- Elove Orthopedic Electric Heating Pad for Pain Relief. Team ProductLine. ...
- Agaro Premium Electric Heating Pad. Team ProductLine. ...
- Coif Electric Heating Pad. Team ProductLine. ...
- Mievida Orthopedic Electric Heating Pad. ...
- Vissco Orthopedic Electric Heating belt.
Heat pumps (including reverse cycle air-conditioners) are the most energy-efficient combined heating and cooling system you can buy. Central heating options include ducted air and in-slab floor heating.
Why should older persons Avoid using heating pads? ›Heating pads are another common cause of minor burns and may lead to major burns in older adults with sensory or cognitive deficits.
What happens if you use a heating pad all the time? ›Yet, leaving a heating pad on for too long can result in injury from burns and can potentially create a scenario of extreme inflammation in the body as the dilated blood vessels bring pro-inflammatory cells to the area warmed.
What should you not do with a heating pad? ›- Don't place a heating pad or heated gel pack directly on your skin. ...
- Don't fall asleep using a heating pad.
- When using a heating pad, start on the lowest level and slowly increase the heat intensity.
- Don't use a heating pad that has a cracked or broken electrical cord.
- Walking. Walking is the simplest yet most effective exercise to help improve blood circulation in your legs. ...
- Stretching exercises. ...
- Different sitting positions. ...
- Compression stockings. ...
- Yoga. ...
- A massage. ...
- Sauna bath.
A single session of leg heat therapy (HT) has been shown to elicit increases in leg blood flow and reduce blood pressure (BP) and the circulating levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD).
What happens when you put a heating pad on your stomach? ›
Another simple remedy for stomach pain is using a heating pad. Keep it on your stomach for 15 to 20 minutes. The warmth can relax the muscles in your gut and facilitate the movement of gas through your intestines, thereby relieving the discomfort.
What type of home heating is most efficient? ›Geothermal systems provide the most efficient type of heating. They can cut heating bills by up to 70%. Like other types of heat pumps, they're also very safe and environmentally friendly to operate.
What is the best heater to heat a room quickly? ›For a quick blast of warmth, or for more directional heating, you should use radiant heaters. These work quickly and are useful if you want to warm up only part of a room for a short period, as they tend to heat only what is in front of them.
Is infrared heating pad better than electric? ›Infrared heating pads are even better than standard heating pads, penetrating the skin more deeply for more significant healing effects. Many people swear by infrared heating pads to help manage pain and stiffness.
Which type of heating is cheapest to run? ›So, after looking at the different types of electric heaters available, due to its lower power-output, halogen heaters are the cheapest electric heaters to run.