Back pain is a more common problem than any of us would like it to be. It might crop up after a day of chores around the house or a too-intense workout or, sometimes, awkward posture held too long.
Fortunately, you can find easy relief from back pain just by apply heat to the affected area. “Heat therapy,” as it’s called, works by stimulating blood flow in the affected area, which spurs faster muscle recovery. The best heat sources for this sort method are those that:
Because of this, electrical heat pads are considered a good option. They have adjustable temperatures, which stay constant while in use, and can be used dry (as opposed to steamed towels and moist heating packs, which are other effective alternatives). Different kinds of heating pads suit different purposes and preferences, so it’s worth taking some time to decide what sort you want to get.
Construction and Quality
Proper construction and high-quality materials are essential to an electrical heat pad—just think of how often it will be in contact with your skin and it should be clear why.
Price is usually a good indicator of quality. You should invest in high-quality products to ensure they don’t break easily or malfunction. High-quality heat pad also have a weaker electromagnetic field; exposure to stronger fields has associated health risks.
Care and maintenance are important too, so it’s best to get a washable heat pad. This will make it easier to care for your heat pad, which is important considering you’ll be in close contact with it. In addition to the obvious consideration of keeping dirt and bacteria away from your skin, it’s also important to keep the heat pad free of other substances—stains, spills, and the like—that might react adversely to heat and either damage the pad or injure you.
For these reasons, choosing a heat pad with a high-quality cover is better: it allows for a more comfortable experience and is easier to clean, too.
Safety and Functionality
Heat pads should be rigorously tested to meet safety standards and this is reflected in certifications. One certifying body is the KEMA by Dekra. They develop safety standards for a large range of products, including heating blankets, and perform independent tests based on these. If you’re buying a logo-marked blanket, it means that samples of that product have been tested for safety.
You should also consider a heat pad’s features. Auto-timers are good to have because they can keep you from overdoing your heat therapy—and with the comfort heat pads give, there’s always the chance of falling asleep or overindulging. Other safety features like warning indicators are also good to have.
There are also environmental standards to consider. One relevant measure here is the Oeko-tex Standard. The Oeko-tex Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for textile products from all stages of production up and down the textile supply chain.
Important Notes:
Heat therapy isn’t applicable to all forms of back pain. The increased blood flow that it stimulates can aggravate certain conditions, such as inflammation and thrombosis. As such, you should not use heat therapy on your back if it is swollen, bruised, or wounded; in these cases, a cold compress may be better for providing relief.
Also take note that relief is not equivalent to treatment. A heat pad may be good for addressing short-term pain on occasion, but if you experience chronic pain or discomfort, you should see a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Choose Wellcare.
We aspire for better health for our readers, liberate them from their painful episodes, and empower them to pursue their goals and aspirations, and future endeavours pain-free.
Wellcare products are use only the highest-quality materials and sophisticated manufacturing processes. Our heat pads have passed several tests of quality and safety, such as DEKRA and TÜV SÜD, and are certified by CE, GS, KEMA KEUR and ENECO5. They also comply with the Oeko-Text Standard for environmental friendliness.
With adjustable temperatures, an automatic timer, and active protection system (APS) indicators, they are designed to guarantee your safety and comfort. They are machine washable and have detachable controllers for easy use and maintenance.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a Wellcare heating pad today.