If aches and pains are creeping up on you this winter, a heating pad could be the simple solution you didn’t know you needed. Heating pads offer targeted relief for sore muscles — especially for common trouble spots like the lower back and hips. Generally they are good for pains that come from daily activities, like the toll of a physically demanding job or from being hunched over a desk.
For those of us spending our days sitting, often not in the best office chairs, a heating pad can help melt away tension and discomfort without breaking the bank. They’re affordable, easy to use, and perfect for cozying up in the colder months. Plus, a quality heating pad is a practical gift that anyone would appreciate.
Most heating pads deliver some relief for joint pain, neck pain and back pain — and can even help with arthritis and cramps. To be clear, if you’re experiencing back pain and you don’t know why, you should consult your doctor. Trust me, you do not want to let random pain go untreated for long.
That being said, let’s have a look at what we can use to relieve some pain and pressure.
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This is a large heating pad you can wrap around problem spots. I switched to this brand for its more even heating (avoiding hot and cold spots that trouble electric heaters). The control pad lets you choose auto-shutoff or sustained heat until you’re ready for a break. Plus, you can disconnect the cord and toss the soft microfiber pad into the wash to freshen it up.
— Jessica Dolcourt
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I suffer from an injury to my sciatic nerve that just loves to flare up when I sit down too much. Working from home, I tend to find myself getting deeply involved in a project and not standing as often as I should, which leads to some pain. When this happens, I know I need to break out my handy Sunbeam heating pad that I’ve had for a few years now.
It’s super reliable and has multiple temperature settings to control how much heat it lets off. It’s available in a few different sizes, but I picked one of the middle sizes to cover more of my back at once to help relieve my back pain. It has a fabric pad cover, which has stayed clean for the years I’ve used it.
— Jared DiPane
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During lockdown, I bought one of these for myself to more comfortably work from bed. Then, I got two more to give as gifts to people who didn’t know they needed them. Now I can’t live without this cushy, portable support.
— Jessica Dolcourt
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I grabbed a Sunbeam heating pad because the most important feature of a heating pad, for me, is the ability to shut off automatically. I’m good at taking a painkiller, putting a heating pad on and falling asleep. Not the safest way to live. So it’s nice to know my heating pad will turn off automatically after two hours of use. This model fits well everywhere, spreads heat out nicely and I don’t have to worry about it being unsafe just because I’ve dozed off.
— Russell Holly
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I really should spend the extra money and get a corded heated pad, but I don’t feel like I use it enough to be worthwhile. Whenever I get back pain, I use my microwavable pad to help soothe it. Just pop it into the microwave and let it naturally cool on your body. The rice and flaxseed inside it managed to hold the heat for around 10 minutes, which seemed to be long enough for my back to stop hurting. Your results may vary.
— James Bricknell
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I’ve always struggled with periods of back pain, largely due to poor posture and a lot of sitting at computer desks. Since I’ve started doing full-body strength and pilates workouts at home using Apple Fitness Plus I’ve not only got fitter and healthier without the hassle of going to a gym, but my back pain is rarely an issue. A subscription will run you $10 a month or $80 annually for up to five family members.
Read more: My Year with Apple Fitness Plus: Big Weight Loss at Home
— Andrew Lanxon