Heating pad

4 Things You Can Use a Heating Pad For

#1 Heating Pad for Pain Relief

A heating pad can be useful in an incredible number of contexts; among other things, the heating pad can provide pain relief for certain types of pain.

For instance, for women during their menstruation, if they experience pain in that context, warmth can help alleviate cramps or if it causes pain in the lower back.

If you have, for example, back or lower back pain and you have an office job, a heating pad placed behind you in your chair may help you endure it better.

However, you should be careful about which types of pain you use heat on, as it may not be beneficial and relieving for all kinds of pain; for example, with injuries, so it’s wise to consult your doctor first.

#2 Heating Pad for Cold Hands and Feet

Are you the type who always freezes your hands or feet regardless of the season or how many layers of clothing you have on? Then a heating pad might become your new best friend.

With the heating pad, you can easily keep your hands and feet warm, though not at the same time unless you have more than one.

Some heating pads have openings or pockets in the cover, designed for you to insert your feet or hands into, to receive even better warmth from the pad.

If it’s just your feet that are cold, you can alternatively choose a foot warmer instead.

If you also need to keep the rest of your body warm, you can get a whole heating blanket, which covers just as much as most other blankets.

#3 Heating Pad as Seat Warmer

You may already have seat warmers in your car, but what about getting seat warmers for your chairs and sofa indoors? A heating pad can provide you with just that.

Choose a thin heating pad and place it on the seat under you and voila, you have warmth for your backside—it's not more complicated than that—and you can take it with you when you move around.

#4 Heating Pad for Cold Nights

If it’s cold at night when you need to sleep, a heating pad can be wonderfully warm to hold onto, so you quickly get warm under your blanket.

A heating pad can also be a good travel companion if you need to go to a summer house in colder months, so you can warm yourself at night if it’s cold.

Alternatively, you can also use it to warm your sleeping area or blanket before you lie down to sleep, so it is nice and warm when you get under the covers.

If you need a heating pad because you have difficulty keeping warm at home, it may be that heaters like a heat blower, electric radiator, or oil radiator are a larger or supplementary help for you to stay warm.

Benefits of an Electric Heating Pad

With an electric heating pad, it doesn’t get much easier; it just needs to be plugged in, and then you can turn it on to the desired temperature.

If you need to use a hot water bottle instead, you need to use hot water, but you have to be careful not to spill it beside you or over yourself.

You also need to be careful to close it properly to ensure it doesn’t leak.

Additionally, you should also be careful with how hot the water is that you use, as it can be difficult to achieve a comfortable temperature, and they often also have a strong rubber smell.

Heating pads either don’t smell or just need the cover to be washed or aired out.

With a heating pad, you can’t burn yourself as there is a restriction on the temperature and often also an overheat protection.

Everything You Need to Know About Heating Pads

So you won’t go out blindly to buy a heating pad, you can read below about how heating pads work and what to be aware of when you choose a heating pad.

Types of Heating Pads

There are heating pads that don’t necessarily look like a pad but resemble more of a wrap or a type of support band, designed to be affixed to the body.

The most common type of these heating pads is one that is specially designed for the lower back, but can also be turned around and thus work for the stomach.

The heating pad for the lower back and stomach typically has an elastic and adjustable belt so you can adjust it to fit your body size.

Material

Many heating pads are made of soft materials, particularly soft velvet, to ensure the fabric helps with warmth while also feeling pleasant to touch.

Particularly if these are pads to hold onto, it’s extra nice with the soft material, and some heating pads even have imitation fur on them.

That way, it feels like hugging a teddy bear, making it all just a little cozier and more comfortable.

Most heating pad covers can even withstand machine washing, making them easy to keep clean, just remember to remove the heating element before throwing it in the washing machine.

You’ll mostly find washing instructions on a small tag inside the cover, just like you know it from clothing and bedding.

It's a good idea always to follow these instructions so that you do not ruin the pad with things like boil washes or tumble drying.

Bag or Case for Storage

Some heating pads come with a bag or case for storing the heating pad.

This can be to keep the pad free from dust when not in use, but it can also be for easier transport when you need to take it with you on the go.

In a bag or case, the pad is protected from dirt and dust, making it easier to keep clean during transport.

Power

The heating pad needs electricity from a standard outlet, where the cord is connected to a remote control and then to the heating elements in the pad.

Most heating pads have a detachable power cord, making it easier to pack the pad if you need to travel with it.

Remote Control

There is a remote control on heating pads, which you can use to adjust the heat in the pad.

Additionally, you can easily turn the heat on and off from the remote control, so you don’t have to get up and unplug it when you no longer need the heating pad.

Heat Settings

For the most part, you have the option to adjust the heat emitted by your heating pad.

This way, it’s easier to set the temperature to a comfortable level for you, making sure it’s neither too hot nor not warm enough.

Often, there are between 2-6 heat settings on a heating pad, so if you desire great variation, you need to be aware of how many different temperatures the heating pad can heat to.

Also, it may be good to be aware of the heating pad’s highest and lowest temperatures if you're looking for something specific.

Auto Shut-off and Overheat Protection

Most heating pads have both auto shut-off and overheat protection.

Auto shut-off ensures that the heating pad turns itself off after a while, so you cannot forget to switch off the pad.

Additionally, overheat protection is also a good idea, as it ensures that the heating pad turns itself off if it exceeds its own heat limit.

This way, you avoid the risk of it burning out due to excessive heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heating Pads

What is a heating pad?

A heating pad is a pad or small mat that has a small heating system installed, allowing it to emit warmth with various heat settings.

What is a heating pad used for?

A heating pad is good for warming specific areas of the body and can therefore be beneficial for pain relief in certain spots on the body, as well as keeping areas warm, such as hands or feet.

How do you heat a heating pad?

Heating pads are heated via electricity, so the pad itself has a cord that must be plugged into an outlet, and you can then turn on the heating element in the pad using a remote control that is built into the pad’s cord.