Top 5 Best Heating Pads for Back Pain – Buying Guide & Reviews

Do you just hate it waking up in the middle of the night due to back pain? Honestly speaking it feels really bad. Fortunately, heating pads for back pain have come to your rescue.

These pads provide therapeutic heating and this makes them one of the best and cost effective solution to edge off excruciating back pains. This is because muscle pain responds well to heat.

In this article, we will review the top rated heating pads for back pain to help you make an informed decision. Together with this, we will also learn how heating pads work. We have also put together a buying guide to help you pick a great heating pad for your needs.

Top 5 Best Rated Heating Pads for Back Pain

Sunbeam XpressHeat Heating Pad

This pad was specifically designed for those with a king size bed. It comes with an extra-large surface area that is convenient to fully cover your entire back. So you can easily heat your back and legs simultaneously.

In terms of convenience, this heating pad never disappoint. It features an automatic digital LCD controller with 6 heat settings, adjustable auto-off feature and a unique heat meter.

Also, the four sides of the meter will light within 30 seconds indicating that it is ready for use. The catch is that the heat settings deliver the exact amount of heat required to soothe pains and strains.

Check out this, the auto-shutoff functionality means you can easily customize your therapy to 2 hours or continuous on, whichever you prefer. An eXpresHeat technology has been engineered into this pad.

Therefore the pad heats up in just 30 seconds of powering up which 3 × faster as opposed to a standard heating pad. All this boils down to faster healing and pain relief.

Another cool thing about this pad is that the integrated micro-plush cover is extra gentle on sensitive areas. As a plus, the cover is reversible and easy to wash. In summary, this heating pad is designed for overall comfort.

Pros

• Heats up quickly thus relieving pain in thirty seconds flat
• Machine washable
• Extra-large surface area that heats the entire back
• Easy to use digital LCD controller

Cons

• The hand control also heats up

Sunbeam Heating Pad with Ultraheat Technology

This king size heating pad has incorporated the latest technology in order to deliver an effective pain relief.

The Ultraheat technology engineered in this pad heats up faster and retain heat at a long time at a consistent level. This gives the affected area constant comfort and gradual pain relief.

Beyond that, it also comes with an absorbent sponge that provides moist heat therapy. It is interesting to note that moist heat therapy gives a deeper and more penetrating treatment.

For your convenience, there is a slide controller with 3 heat settings so it’s a matter of working out which setting is perfect for you. And when it comes to controlling the setting, it is good to see that that has a large switch which makes it easier to use.

Let me say this straight, the user has complete control of it and perhaps that is why it has become the darling of many. On top of this, it is one of the scarce models that does not shut off automatically. This is a plus for people with chronic back pains.

As a result of this, it will continue heating you until you personally opt to press the shut off button.

Pros

• Provides moist heat therapy
• Very user-friendly
• Do not shut-off automatically
• Heats up quickly and maintains consistent temperature for a long time

Cons

• Awful plastic smell
• Bunch up quickly

PureRelief XL Heating Pad with Fast-Heating Technology

Believe it or not, this heating pad is designed for anyone who wants a deep and more effective heat therapy.

The unique thing that makes this pad stand out is its ability to offer full body pain relief. The simple truth is that most heating pads are solely designed for the back area but this PureRelief pad has an extra-large surface that gives you the freedom to use it on any part you desire.

Needless to say, you find an easy-to-use digital LCD controller which makes it easier to set up and monitor the treatment time. As a matter of fact, it was designed with user convenience in mind.

Just think about the 9- feet extra-long cord, it is a bonus that makes allows you to use it from the comfort of your bed or chair. It can’t get better than this!

Surprisingly enough, this pad is made with plush micro fibers that provide an ultra-soft heat therapy solution to aching muscles. Get this, the pad also provides the moist heat therapy option so you can enjoy a deep penetrating and instant pain relief.

And another great thing about this pad is the 5-year warranty that guarantees you total satisfaction in regard to quality and workmanship.

Pros

• Provides ultra soft heat therapy solution
• Wide range of heat settings
• Flexible and easy to use
• 5 years warranty on quality and workmanship
• Storage bag for portability

Cons                      

• Doesn’t get hot as indicated

BodyMed White Digital Electric Moist Heating Pad 

The BodyMed pad is a great digital heating pad designed with chronic back sufferers in mind. If I may say so, BodyMed is one of the scarce options that delivers heat in a systematic way.

You would have to say it is a magical remedy since you don’t need any extra water for the pad to produce moist heat.

The simple truth is that this pad draws moisture from the air and uses the humidity to improve blood flow, calm pain nerves and reduce inflammation.

Nothing gives more satisfaction than knowing your heating pad is safe. With this in mind, this pad shut off automatically after 15 minutes to prevent overheating.

And the most interesting thing is that you will know when it has gone off, thanks to the programmed beeping sound!

Adding to your safety, the BodyMed has a lockout feature that prevents accidental changes in the controls to ensure you enjoy a comforting healing.

In terms of convenience, you will find this pad to be very user-friendly. And coming with digital easy-to-read controls it means you can comfortably, set, monitor and adjust both the heating temperature and the heating time.

It goes without saying that, this pad is capable of memorizing your temperature and time from the previous usage. This is a plus if you don’t want to go back to the initial setting.

Finally, the outer fleece cover is soft and gentle to touch, this stimulates the sensory receptors under the skin and decrease the pain signals to the brain.

Pros

• Lockout functionality for safety
• Shut-off automatically
• Digital easy-to-read LCD control
• No water required
• Therapeutic warmth for instant pain relief

Cons

• No continuous heat function
• Takes a few minutes to heat up

Chattanooga Theratherm Digital Moist Heating Pad

The Theratherm digital moist heating pad features a user-friendly design to help you relax and enjoy a soothing heat therapy right from your bed or a favorite chair.

In terms of pain relief, the Theratherm heating pad gives you the freedom to set and monitor your treatment sessions up to one hour at a maximum of up to 166˚F.

The digital LCD controls is a plus when it comes to setting up and monitoring your treatment time. For what it is, the choice is yours to work out the most comforting temperature.

It is interesting to see that Theratherm comes with a lockout mode which is a safety feature to prevent an accidental change in temperatures.

Beyond this, Theratherm comes with an auto-shutoff feature so you can sleep sure the pad won’t overheat.

In contrast to the dry forms of heat, this pad uniquely draws humidity from the air and traps it in the specially designed cotton cover.

The heavy duty heating unit of the pad heats the moisture rapidly to deliver a deeper penetration of heat into the skin.

As a result of this, blood flow to the target areas increases and this stimulates a faster and more effective healing. Lastly, this heating pad is available in many sizes to accommodate different people.

Pros

• User-friendly digital hand controller
• Lockout mode to prevent inconsistent changing of settings
• Deep penetrating and soothing moist heat
• Automatically shut-off

Cons

• Doesn’t last long before it starts malfunctioning

What are heating pads?

Heating pads are special and versatile pads used for warming body parts in order to manage pain. They have been used for a long time as home remedies for back pains. They can be used as a singly or combined with other treatment methods.

Main perks of heating pads?

1. Natural pain relief: it is one of the most effective ways for pain relief.
2. Easy to use: Heat therapy is simple and easy to do. A hot shower or bath can do the same purpose.
3. Economical: when compared to most heat therapies available for back pain, heating pads reduces pain naturally without any medication.
4. Increase blood flow to affected area; this speeds up natural healing
5. Reduces congestion and inflammation in muscles to promote relaxation
6. Compatible with other treatment

How Does Heating Pad Work?

Heating pads have been used for a long time to cure back pains. So what is the magic formula with heat therapy? Stay here with me as I take you through the simple mechanisms.

First, applying heat directly to the skin activates the heat receptors located deep in the skin. This stimulation blocks transmission of signals that activate pain receptors in the brain. The decreased transmission of pain signals makes you feel comfy and relieved.

Secondly, the heat stimulates vasodilation of blood vessels thus increasing the flow of blood to the injured area. As a result, more oxygen and valuable nutrients are transported to the affected part.

So what am I saying? In simple terms, the increased flow of blood removes toxins produced by injured muscles, this relieves the body of the pain and speeds up natural healing.

Finally, heat also loosens up muscles around the affected area. As a result, the muscles become more flexible, supple and drops the stiffness this relieves you the discomfort.

 

Features of a Great Heating Pad for Back Pain

When looking for a great heating pad beware not to pick any pad that comes your way. You should choose a heating pad that is designed to solve your problem, long-lasting and one that will provide you with the optimal amount of comfort.

Due to the countless options now available, you need a little research to identify what pad will work for you. Having said that, let’s go straight to the characteristics of a great heating pad for back pains.

Safety

The first thing to do is to ensure your safety comes first. A safe heating pad must comply with the UL964 standards. These are the safety regulations set for electric bedding in the US.

Some heating pads give off electromagnetic fields which can interfere with the physiological functions of the body and also expose the body to the risk of cancer. Make sure your pad does not radiate any harmful electromagnetic fields.

Alternatively, look for a heated pad with a timer. The advantage of an auto-shutoff is that it will turn off automatically after some hours. Therefore, you can sleep peacefully without the fear of fire at night.

Far-Infrared Rays

The best heating pad should be able to heat your body within a few minutes. For this reason, you need to look for Far-Infrared Rays for deep penetration. Unlike other heating pads, the Far-Infrared Rays penetrates up to 3 inches deeper. This ensures it reaches deep into the body thus zeroing your pain and speeding up healing.

Type of Heating Mechanism

Dry and moist heat are the common types of heating therapy most pads offer. Keep in mind that due to our assorted preferences, a pad that works for your friend may not work best for you. Either way, you need to choose the option that works perfectly for you.

If you like experiencing moisture, then a moist heating pad is the deal for you. Nevertheless, a dry heat pad is a greater choice if you don’t like humidity.

Material of the Warming Device

Also, pay attention to the materials used to make the heating device. The best pad should be made of the best quality material for maximum heat delivery. For this purpose, the jade stones are among the best choices because when heated, they transport the Far-Infrared Rays deep into the body. This soothes the affected area and manages the pain.

Ease of use

The controllers of a great heating pad must be easy to adjust so that you can get the exact level of comfort you need. Even for the first time users, the controllers should be as simple as ABCD. In addition to this, try to find a pad with wireless controllers as it is super easy to use.

Finally, don’t forget about the instructions on the push buttons. Make sure they are large enough and visible especially if you have vision impairments to avoid straining your eyes when using it.

Flexible and durable construction

The best heating pads are made from high-quality materials and built to last. In addition to this, the pad should be flexible and able to conform to every contour of your body so you can cover any part where relief is needed most.

Warranty period

The fact of the matter is that the warranty period plays a significant role in guaranteeing you the manufacturer’s prestige. As a general rule, the longer the warranty period, the higher the level of trust.

As a final point, identify a reputable manufacturer because the manufacturer will stand behind their quality with a reasonable warranty.

Alternatively;

You may want to check out some online reviews and find out an ideal pad for you. All in all, the most important thing for you is to choose a heating pad that is long-lasting, reliable and with the most features.

Things to Watch Out in Heating Pads

• Don’t buy a used heating pad: because you can’t tell if it has any defects. Again, you don’t know how long it has been used.
• Don’t buy if it comes without an instruction manual
• Avoid folding the pad unless the manual says it is foldable to avoid damage to the pad or your skin.

Situations When Heating Pads Is Not An Option

There is no doubt that heat therapy is one of the best solutions for back pain. Unfortunately, heat therapy is not an option if you suffer from any of these conditions:

• Bruised lower back
• Open wound
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Peripheral varicose disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart disease

Conclusion

Heating pads is a magical home remedy for people suffering from serious back pain. However, with the wide variety of choices out there picking the right pad can be a daunting task. Luckily, our list has narrowed down to the top choices available in the market. We are sure any of these heating pads will deliver the best performance. But if you are still unsure about the type of pad to purchase, please consult your doctor on the type that provides you the best relief for your back pain.