How To Use Heating Pad

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Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Aches and pains in your muscles and joints can make it debilitating to go about your daily routine. That's where heat therapy comes in. A heating pad is a medication-free way to address pain and soreness without leaving the comfort of your own home. "Applying heat to a sore muscle will improve blood flow which increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients the muscle has enhancing tissue healing," says Alyssa Raineri, DPT, a Florida-based physical therapist.

It tin can also vasodilate blood vessels, which increases claret catamenia and circulation "to reduce stiffness and pain," according to Karena Wu, PT, DPT, concrete therapist and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy.

When selecting a heating pad, information technology is important to retrieve about what your specific needs are for the product–whether it is hands-costless, can be microwaved, or offers targeted pain. To make shopping easier, we tested 17 heating pads and evaluated them based on their setup, design, features, and heating quality. From this examination, we chose the best options.

Here are the all-time heating pads on the market place today.

Walmart

Pros

Has iv rut settings
Made from soft fibers
Has an auto shut-off to prevent overheating

Cons

Neck area doesn't get as warm

Nosotros chose the Pure Enrichment PureRelief Heating Pad as our all-time overall pick for a few central reasons. It sets to four heat settings with a press of a button and automatically shuts off after two hours of use to foreclose overheating and to conserve energy. Not only does the pad have a strong heating organization, but information technology's besides made from soft fibers, which prevents the pad from burning the peel. Plus, it'due south wearable and covers your back, neck, and belly, so you lot tin walk around the house in comfort. The magnetic neck closure and the adjustable rubberband belt help to continue the heating pad in place.

It scored a five on all attributes, except for features, where it scored a iv.five. Our tester noted that it didn't take a self-timer for the various heat settings. The pad'southward affordable price point, easy setup, and high heating quality brand this pad the best overall.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Cervix, back, and shoulders | Number of Heat Settings: 4 | Auto Off Part: Yes | Added Features: Magnetic neck closure, adjustable waist strap

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

What Our Testers Say

"This heating pad is definitely the best I've tested overall. It's easy to apply, has multiple features, and is extremely comfortable and warm." —Kayla Hui, Health Commerce Writer and product tester

Courtesy of Walmart

Pros

Easy to employ and gear up
Budget-friendly
Has a moist heat option

Cons

Not as comfortable as other pads

This option from Sunbeam delivers near of the features of other pads on this list at a fraction of the cost. Using a sliding controller, you can adjust the three estrus settings to deliver warmth to your muscles. The pad comes with a washable cover and a 9-pes cord, making for easy use and clean. For deeper relief, you tin use the sponge insert to activate the moist heat selection.

Ane caveat that our tester noted is that the cover material is not equally comfy as other pads tested in the lab. However, information technology's still fabricated with a soft cloth and sponge. Overall, information technology's an easy-to-use pad that functions exactly equally advertised.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Legs, shoulders, lower abdomen | Number of Heat Settings: three | Motorcar Off Function: No | Added Features: Moist oestrus selection

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

What Our Testers Say

"This pad is exactly what you're getting for your money: it gives yous a comfortable level of heat and functions exactly every bit advertised." —Christina Oehler, Wellness Commerce Editor and production tester

Walmart

Pros

Large surface expanse
Easy to employ

Cons

Lightweight controller

The best pad for maximum coverage provides oestrus to your pain area and has a larger expanse, and this one from Sunbeam gets the job washed. It's 12-past-24-inches and tin exist used on multiple parts of your torso, such as your legs, back, and lower abdomen. You tin change the heat setting to low, medium, or high heat, using a sliding controller. Plus, it comes with a sponge, then you can use the moist rut option.

Once the pad is turned on, information technology tin can accept a few minutes to get-go feeling the warmth. Our tester wasn't a fan of the lightweight controller and noted that it tends to slip off the couch hands, but this was a personal preference. Overall, it'south a large heating pad and is platonic for anyone who needs to cover areas of the body with larger surface area or has arthritis.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Dorsum, neck, lower abdomen, legs | Number of Heat Settings: iii | Auto Off Office: No | Added Features: Moist heat selection

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Has a built-in massager
Tin can exist worn like a belt
Made from soft, velvet material

Cons

Only has two heat settings

If you're looking to accept your heat therapy to a whole unlike level, look no further than Comfier'southward Heating Pad. This pad does double-duty every bit a heater and massager and provides much-needed relief to sore muscles in your lower dorsum. There are 2 heat modes, three massage modes, and two intensity levels to choose from, so you lot tin can option the settings that meet your lifestyle needs. It fits like a lifting chugalug and is fabricated from a soft, velvet cover, so you won't have to worry nearly beingness uncomfortable.

This pad scored a five across all attributes, except for features, where it scored a 4.five. Our tester noted that there were but two heat settings, which may non be ideal if yous're looking for more warmth. We'd recommend this for people who may not need many heat settings and are looking for a low-cal massage on the back.

Accuse Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Lower dorsum | Number of Heat Settings: 2 | Machine Off Part: No | Added Features: Massager with three modes

Verywell Wellness / Leticia Almeida

What Our Testers Say

"The best thing virtually this chugalug was that it fit like a weight lifting chugalug merely was padded, making for a comfortable and soothing fit. The massager helps salve back tension." — Kayla Hui, Wellness Commerce Writer and product tester

Source: SuzziPad

Pros

Use hot or common cold
Folds easily into the microwave
Works on multiple areas

Cons

Absorbs microwave smell

Fabricated with flaxseed, millets, and dirt beads, the SuzziPad heating pad delivers rut to relieve joint pain, cramps, swelling, and tight muscles. The paneled design allows the pad to distribute heat evenly and can be folded easily. All you have to practise is pop this pad in the microwave for 60 seconds and place it on your desired hurting expanse. After 1 minute in the microwave, y'all tin enjoy up to ten minutes of heat in one session.

Our tester noted that the pad may absorb any odors lingering in the microwave, and so it'south recommended to clean your microwave before heating your pad.

Accuse Type: Microwave | Areas Targeted: Back, cervix, lower abdomen, legs, ankles | Number of Heat Settings: N/A | Motorcar Off Function: N/A | Added Features: Can exist used hot or cold

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Courtesy: Amazon

Pros

Patches can be placed almost anywhere on the body
Portable
Provides heat instantly

Cons

Expensive
Patches tin can only be used upwards to 10 times each

Unlike heating pads, which tend to be larger in size, these Sunbeam patches are small enough to be placed on diverse parts of the body, including your back, abdomen, artillery, legs, and calves. The pads are adhesive, and so you don't take to worry nigh them falling off, and tin can be reused up to 10 times for each pad. It features iii heat settings: low, medium, and high to deliver warmth straight to your muscles. Make sure the controller is fully charged earlier each utilize.

These heated patches scored no less than a four across all attributes, except for features, where they earned a three. This heating solution doesn't have a timer or auto close-off, which may non be ideal if you prefer those features. However, the patches heat upwards speedily and tin be placed wherever y'all need relief, so we recommend this choice if you're looking to target a specific part of your body.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Back, cervix, lower abdomen, legs, ankles, arms | Number of Heat Settings: 3 | Machine Off Function: No | Added Features: Due north/A

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Source: Yeamon

Pros

Heating distributes evenly across the pad
Lightweight and compact
Heats quickly

Cons

External cover may be uncomfortable

Having a menstruation tin can exist painful if you feel cramps, but this heating pad from Yeamon helps alleviate that hurting. Using graphene heating, the pad generates loftier rut chop-chop to relieve muscle tension, making it the best pick for menstrual cramps. Choose from iii oestrus and three vibration settings.

The pad'south interior is made from a soft, velvet-like material, making it comfortable confronting the skin, and its belt-like design makes this product portable. Our tester wasn't a big fan of the vibration settings every bit they said information technology was besides intense, just this was a personal preference. The calibration earned a four.5 for overall value and we recommend it if you're looking to alleviate cramping.

Charge Blazon: USB charging | Areas Targeted: Lower abdomen, back | Number of Heat Settings: 3 | Motorcar Off Function: No | Added Features: Massager with three modes

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

What Our Testers Say

"I liked that the pad's adjustable belt accommodates a variety of sizes, which is actually great for finding a fit that is snug and comfortable. I would beloved to article of clothing this effectually all day, because its so snug and discreet that you lot could continue it with y'all for whenever you might demand it." —Christina Oehler, Health Commerce Editor and production tester

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Easy setup
Contours to your back
Moist heat option

Cons

Velcro fastener doesn't experience very durable

Made from a soft pad and using four rut settings, the Sunbeam Heated Back Wrap contours to the shape of your dorsum while relieving sore muscles. There's an adjustable waist strap to lock the back wrap in place, and the strap extends upward to 85 inches. What's more than, it features an automated timer that automatically shuts off the device after ii hours to prevent overheating.

This pad did non disappoint, receiving a five on all attributes: setup, design, features, and heating quality. It gets hot quickly and the heat is concentrated in the upper and lower areas of the back, per our tester. We recommend this heating pad to people who are experiencing regular dorsum pain and need relief in-between doctor and physical therapy sessions.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Lower back | Number of Oestrus Settings: 4 | Auto Off Function: Yes | Added Features: Moist heat option

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Has a built-in massager
Fabricated with soft, velvet-like material
30-minute machine off timer

Built with ii heating levels and five massage modes, the Comfier Brace Wrap is dandy for relaxing sore leg muscles. It's made with a soft, velvet-like textile and the straps are velcro, making for a comfortable and secure fit. As for safety, the knee joint brace has a built-in timer that automatically turns off the heat at the 30-infinitesimal mark.

While the caryatid is comfortable, our tester noted that it can be difficult to strap around the leg. Because of this, this option may non be ideal for people with mobility bug. Overall, it'due south a solid choice if you're looking for oestrus and vibration therapy.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Knee | Number of Heat Settings: 2 | Auto Off Function: Yes | Added Features: Massager with five modes

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Soft, costly comprehend material
Machine washable cover

Cons

Takes viii to 10 minutes to reach full heat

Made from super plush cloth and with a built-in heater and wide opening, the Gintao heating pad makes for the best feet heating pad. Setup is easy; all you take to do is plug information technology in and select 1 of three heat settings (depression, medium, or high). Beyond these features, at that place is an auto shut-off selection, so your pad won't burn you or overheat.

Of all the pads on the listing, this i took the longest to heat upwards. Our tester said that information technology took betwixt viii and 10 minutes to achieve full heat. Thankfully, the plush encompass material is super cozy and comfortable, and helps to insulate the warmth. If you lot experience arthritis or Raynaud's syndrome, we would recommend this pad from Gintao equally an option.

Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Feet | Number of Heat Settings: iii | Auto Off Function: Yep | Added Features: N/A

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

How Nosotros Rated

4.eight to v stars: These are the all-time heating pads nosotros tested. We recommend them without reservation.

4.v to iv.7 stars: These heating pads are excellent—they might have minor flaws, simply we however recommend them.

four.0 to four.5 stars: We think these are great heating pads, merely others are better.

3.5 to 3.9 stars: These heating pads are just average.

three.4 and below: We don't recommend heating pads with this rating; you lot won't detect any on our listing.

How We Tested

The Verywell Health team spent eight hours at the Verywell Testing Lab testing 17 heating pads to detect the best ones. Our testers, comprised of a Verywell Health editor and writer of varying dissimilar weights and heights, conducted the tests. The testers compared the pads using the following attributes: setup, blueprint, features, and heating quality.

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Our testers examined how like shooting fish in a barrel it was to use and fix the product from the box. They turned the pad on and timed how long it took to rut and tested the additional features. Additionally, they used an infrared thermometer gun to see each heating pad's rut distribution. They repeated the process for each pad. If the pad took besides long to heat or didn't function as advertised, those products were left out of the roundup.

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

What to Await for in a Heating Pad

Size

When it comes to heating pads, size is important because it amend determines how it volition target the area of your body in need. You'll want to choose a pad that's large enough to embrace the surface area of the body yous're treating most frequently, says Alexandra Rios, PT, DPT, a licensed physical therapist and provider at Airrosti.

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Flexibility

If you have aches and pain across multiple areas of the body, Rios recommends a heating pad with a flexible design that can mold to multiple areas of your body. It's important to not use the production on specific injuries, as it could further exacerbate the problem instead of helping.

"Oestrus therapy should be avoided with whatever injury that is considered acute or has simply recently occurred," Dr. Raineri says. "Astute injuries will likely present with swelling, bruising, and peradventure even open wounds where rut should non be used."

Oestrus Settings

When deciding what heating setting to utilize, it's of import to understand the dissimilar types: dry out heat and moist heat. Electric heating pads produce dry out heat, Dr. Raineri says. An electric heating pad can exist convenient considering it offers a wide range of temperatures.

"Heat pads equipped with 3 or more heat levels are ideal because they allow the user to gradually work up to a rut setting that is sufficient for hurting relief, yet rubber for the skin," Rios says.

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Another selection is a moist rut pack. "As there generally are no specific heat settings with these types of heating packs, information technology is important that y'all use the right number of layers between types of heating pads are non created equal, specifically when you're looking to address muscle aches. "Although dry heat is more than convenient, moist heat is by and large more constructive with treating muscle aches and stiffness as it can penetrate deeper into the tissues than dry heat," Dr. Raineri explains.

Verywell Wellness / Leticia Almeida

Comprehend Textile

The material of your pad cover matters too, according to Wu, who recommends ones that are made of washable cotton fiber or fleece, "and so that they stay clean and are more inviting to the bear upon."

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Oftentimes Asked Questions

How long should you lay on a heating pad?

Co-ordinate to Wu, it is not recommended to lay on a heating pad for "more xv-20 minutes on an surface area," to forestall your chance of burns. If you're using a heating pad during the nighttime, set your pad to an auto shut-off to ensure you're not overusing the pad on sore muscles or joints.
Are there whatsoever risks associated with heating pad apply?

The most common injury that people suffer from heating pads is burns, Dr. Raineri says. "To decrease your take a chance for burns, remove all jewelry, inspect your skin, and assure intact sensations, use layers between your skin and the heat pack, and ready a timer," she recommends. If yous're experiencing any side effects while using a heating pad, speak to a licensed doctor or concrete therapist. "While assessing your skin during the apply of a hot pack, if any severe redness or rash, blistering, pain, or swelling occurs, discontinue utilize and seek care from a md," Dr. Raineri says.
Can you use a heating pad while pregnant?

People who are meaning or experiencing menstrual cramps can use a heating pad to help relieve the symptoms. "The uterus is a musculus. Uterine cramps are muscular contractions which serve to miscarry the uterine lining, which are painful," says Kecia Gaither, MD, a double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, and manager of perinatal services at NYC Wellness + Hospitals/Lincoln. "Heat works to relax the muscle, amend claret menses to the area. Use of a pain reliever (an NSAID similar Advil or Motrin) in addition to heat, a bath or a heating pad, to decrease the pain."

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Why Trust Verywell Health

Receiving her master's degree in public health in 2020, Kayla Hui is a seasoned public wellness practitioner and health journalist. She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous inquiry studies, and tested a plethora of products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. Her goal is to aid readers make more informed decisions nigh their health and well-being.

Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner

As a seasoned wellness writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right production to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and wellness fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and cognition in the field work together to help readers similar yourself find the best products for your daily life.