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From cramps to joint pain—these are the top heating pads to soothe tension and aches. a hand warmer
Whether you experience frequent muscle soreness, low backaches, menstrual cramps, or soreness from an injury, a heating pad is a quick and reliable way to help relieve pain and muscle stiffness. The warmth boosts blood flow, which helps loosen tight muscles and can provide relief from soreness or mild pain, says Cara Dobbertin, PT, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy with Practitionr. Many people also find heating pads helpful for muscle strains or general aches, especially when used consistently but not excessively.
Heating pads also serve as a medication-free way to address your discomfort without leaving the privacy of your own home, says Alyssa Raineri, DPT, a California-based doctor of physical therapy. Plus, applying heat to sore muscles increases the muscle's oxygen and nutrients, promoting tissue healing, she says.
Heating pads are great for short-term relief, but they’re not a solution for deeper issues like injuries or infections, says Dobbertin. If the pain you’re treating with heat therapy doesn’t improve or gets worse, she suggests checking in with a healthcare provider. Signs like swelling or redness could indicate something more serious is going on.
Also, consider seeing a healthcare provider if the pain is severe, lasts longer than a few days, or comes with other symptoms like numbness or weakness, says Guiffrida. Heating pads are great for quick relief, but they’re not a substitute for addressing the root cause of your pain, he says. A healthcare provider can help you figure out the next steps, whether that’s physical therapy, medication, or a more targeted treatment.
No way to secure the heating pad
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Full body | Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: 10-foot cord, heats up in 30 seconds
If you are looking for a large, flexible heating pad, we love the Geniani King Size Heating Pad. Not only does it offer a cozy blanket feel, but the cords are not noticeable or bothersome like some heating pads. Plus, its large size means we could heat our entire back or both legs at the same time.
We also appreciate that this heating pad warms up to the selected temperature in just 30 seconds. This means we didn’t have to wait long for immediate relief. And with even heat distribution, we also didn’t have to worry about cool or hot spots during our heat therapy. Add to that the three heat settings and an automatic shutoff, and you have a comfy heating pad that is as easy to use as it is comfortable.
Overall, we found this heating pad useful for addressing everything from back pain and muscle tension to pregnancy-related discomforts. In fact, one of our editors used this heating pad to consistently alleviate low back pain that is often present during the third trimester of pregnancy.
This is a large heating pad, so it can be a challenge to get it to stay where you want it. Our editors would have appreciated a way to secure it in place, especially when you have a pregnancy bump to contend with.
Charge Type: Analog LED Controller with IntegratedCord | Areas Targeted: Back | Number of Heat Settings: Four | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Removable cover, removable sponge
Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. and affects eight out of 10 people at some point in their lives. For this reason, it is important to have a reliable heating pad on hand to help relieve those nagging aches and pains. For overall back pain, we love the Homedics Heating Pad.
We love that it heats quickly in just under 30 seconds, provides consistent heat, and has multiple settings. Plus, the long cord and auto shut-off added to its convenience and made it ideal for extended use while working. In fact, one of our editors particularly appreciated the large size, which covered her entire back and fit perfectly in her office chair. We also found that once the heating pad shuts off, it is a nice reminder to get up from the office chair and stretch.
This heating pad's removable cover and sponge means that taking care of the heating pad and keeping it clean and sanitized is simple.
The cover of this heating pad is somewhat thin, so if you are sensitive to heat, you may want to put something else between the heating pad and your skin.
May not fit some body types
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Neck and shoulders | Number of Heat Settings: Four | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Push button controller
Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability and has an annual prevalence rate of over 30%. If you count yourself among those with neck issues, you may be looking for an effective way to relieve your pain that doesn’t require medications. And we think the Sunbeam Neck Renue Heat Wrap answers that call.
Not only did we love how comfortable this heating pad is, but we also appreciated the hands-free design. It also does a great job of staying in place on the neck and shoulders, providing targeted relief. And, the heat was consistent and evenly distributed—meaning we did not have to move it around to make sure we were getting every pain spot in the neck and shoulders.
We also found that all four settings were effective for different pain levels, especially arthritis pain. In fact, the pad reduced our tester’s pain by 80% and improved sleep quality by minimizing the need for pain medications. Plus, the heating pad is incredibly soft and the upper part of it is flexible and molded easily to our shoulders and neck. It is comfortable to use while sitting up and lying down—and requires no adjustment.
This heating pad comes in a 19-inch version and a 14-inch version, but people with narrow shoulders or those with broad shoulders may not find that it fits like they want.
Prominent battery pack on the front
Charge Type: Removable batter; USB-C charging cable| Areas Targeted: Lower back| Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: Three vibration levels, hands-free design
When you have lower back pain, you need a heating pad that will stay put and provide concentrated heat where you need it most. And we think the Therabody RecoveryTherm Back heating pad is up to the task. Not only does this heating pad provide even heat distribution, but it also contains extremely soft material and easy-to-use controls.
When testing this heating pad, we loved that it provided instant relief for lower back tension, especially after workouts. Even when it was on the lowest setting, it provided immediate relief and effective heat distribution. Plus, it heats up quickly, and the battery life holds up well.
We also love the comfort level of this heating pad. It provides relief without causing discomfort in pressure-sensitive areas of the lower back. We also appreciate that you wrap the pad snugly around your stomach. Consequently, it stayed in place while in use and never needed readjustment.
Because this heating pad comes with a prominent battery pack on the front, it is uncomfortable to use while lying on your stomach.
Weighted to keep it in place
Charge Type: Electric cord | Areas Targeted: Knee, shoulder, back | Number of Heat Settings: Three | Auto Shutoff: Yes | Added Features: 10-foot cord
This Thermophore MaxHEAT Moist Heat Pack has the weight and feel of a professional heating pad, similar to those used in physical therapy. Plus, we were pleased with the even heat distribution and three heat settings, which worked well for relieving pain and tension.
We also appreciated that the heating pad offered immediate relief on both low and high settings. And the weight of the pad keeps it in place during use, making it effective for knee, shoulder, and back pain relief. Plus, the moist heat feature lived up to its promise, providing a therapeutic experience.
This heating pad comes with a prominent warning label on the heating pad that can be irritating.
Does not feel as weighted as advertised
Charge Type: Electric cord, infrared pad | Areas Targeted: Stomach, back, legs, shoulders | Number of Heat Settings: Not listed | Auto Shutoff: Not listed | Added Features: Weight therapy
Researchers have found that infrared heat can penetrate deeper than traditional heat sources—and it may be just as effective at reducing pain. One study found that those who used an infrared wrap for back pain had 50% less back pain after six weeks. If you’re looking for a way to address low back pain or abdominal pain that comes with menstruation, you will appreciate the MiHigh Weighted Infrared Heat Pad.
We especially like the soft fabric, flexible design, and effective temperature range for both menstrual cramps and back pain. The timer feature also was a standout for its convenience. We loved that the pad distributed heat evenly, and we found the various temperature settings effective for relieving pain in different areas. This heating pad provided relief within 30 minutes and was easy to use with intuitive controls.
As an added bonus, this MiHigh heating pad is well made and did not show any signs of wear and tear during our testing, which included multiple uses. Plus, it worked just as effectively at the end of the testing period as it did at the beginning.
While this heating pad is advertised as providing weighted therapy, it was not as weighted as we would have liked.
We spent 225 hours testing 20 heating pads to find the best ones. We compared the pads based on the following criteria:
The best heating pads offer adjustable heat levels, so you can find what feels comfortable, says Dobbertin. Here are some other things Dobbertin says to look for:
Heating pads are a simple yet effective way to manage pain, especially when dealing with muscle tension, stiffness, or spasms, says Guiffrida. The heat helps improve blood flow to the area, which can relax tight muscles and ease discomfort. He says it’s not going to fix the root cause of your pain, but it’s a great tool for temporary relief and can work well alongside other treatments for things like back pain, neck, leg pain or hip pain. Here’s how to use a heating pad safely.
In addition to testing the heating pads, we contacted medical professionals for their insights on their benefits and proper use. These experts included:
Sherri Gordon, CLC, has been covering health and social issues for over a decade and has written countless articles with a health focus. She is well-versed and knowledgeable about a number of health conditions that can impact our everyday lives. When making product recommendations, Sherri adds a layer of detail that ensures readers can choose what is right for them and still understand the medical significance behind it.
Cohen SP. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Feb;90(2):284-99. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.008
Gale GD, Rothbart PJ, Li Y. Infrared therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Pain Res Manag. 2006 Autumn;11(3):193-6. doi:10.1155/2006/876920
By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon is a published author and a bullying prevention expert.
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