A portable heating pad may be just what you need to ease your pain, but before you pull out your credit card and make the purchase, there are some things you should know about this product to make sure it’s really going to help you. The good news is that heating pads are a great home remedy for many pains and aches, including menstrual cramps, arthritis, and muscle strain. The bad news? It’s not always as simple as turning it on and letting it do its thing! Here are some pros and cons of portable heating pads to help you decide if they’re right for you.
Don’t use heating pads for more than 20 minutes
A portable heating pad might seem like a great remedy for aches and pains, but heating pads need to be used carefully. There are some downsides to using them. As far as cordless heating pads go, however, they’re a convenient tool that can take aches away on cold days. They’re also easy to use! Just plug them in, sit back and relax while they heat you up.
Heat only the affected area
Heat also provides a sense of comfort, especially for those recovering from an injury. There’s no need to heat your entire body with a heating pad; you can use one just on those parts that are hurting. If you don’t want to buy an expensive blanket or mattress pad, then consider investing in a battery-operated heating pad like these ones by Sunbeam. It gives you some control over how much heat is released and comes with preset heat levels or can be customized if needed. These pads offer dual settings as well—one for continuous release of heat, and another to keep at a consistent temperature during sleep.
Take breaks
It’s a good idea to take a break from your heating pad every half hour. This allows you to assess how much time you’ve spent on it and make sure your skin doesn’t overheat. If using an electric heating pad, it’s a good idea to make sure there are no exposed wires near where you lie down. It is not recommended that you wear pajamas while using your heating pad because they can trap in heat too effectively, making your skin too hot or even burning you if they get too close to direct contact with your skin. Never leave children or pets unattended while on a heating pad.
Avoid sleeping with it on
When sleeping with a heating pad, it’s best to avoid using it for more than 10 minutes at a time. Overheating can lead to dehydration, causing dizziness, dry mouth and fatigue. Additionally, when sleeping with a heating pad you should set an alarm so that you don’t accidentally fall asleep with it on, which can cause serious issues such as burns. Sleeping with a portable heating pad also isn’t recommended for those with existing back pain—it may seem like resting your body on something warm will help your back feel better but in reality it is doing more harm than good because heat treatments will aggravate already tense muscles and ligaments.
Use common sense
If you’re not sure whether a heating pad is safe for your body, don’t use it. Hot water bottles might be a better alternative; they’re not as effective as an electric heating pad, but they can help with minor aches and pains. If you have any serious injuries or illnesses, talk to your doctor before using a heating pad. If you’re thinking about buying one of these devices (portable or not), remember that there are lots of places online where you can purchase cheaper products made in China without knowing exactly what you’re getting.
