Heating Pads & Their Types

Heating pads are excellent for treating pesky backaches and constant numbness in the back as a result of work related stress. They are designed to provide quick and easy soothing to stiffness and pain in the back. Many use to routinely at their workplace or at home and many have stopped taking pain medications and instead use heated pads.

But before you start looking for different hot packs, it is essential that you first learn as much as you can about the different types of pads and select one which perfectly suits your needs. Below are some of the types of hot packs that you might consider using for your backache:

Microwavable Heating Pads

These pads are designed to be heated in a microwave. The pad itself is manufactured using fleece or cotton fabrics and is then filled with whole grains, such as flax seeds or rice. You can easily put the pad in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes and apply to the body and let it heat for 20 minutes, depending on the severity of the pain. The trick is to get the right temperature. Too hot and you will scald your back and cause burning.
You can even customize and alter the shape of the heating pads so that the pad fits wherever you want to for added relief. A heating pad is more effective when the painful area that needs treatment gets full coverage. You can add scented material or scented oil to obtain further relief. The heat eases the tension and stress built up in the lower back region allowing blood to effectively flow, minimizing the pain and reducing swelling and stiffness.

Electrical Heating Pads

These hot pads are heated electronically. Conventional electrical pads require an electrical socket. The main benefit of this pad is that you can adjust the amount of heat you require.

Moist Hot Packs

Moist pads are commonly used by chiropractors and physical therapists. Moist heat packs are extremely effective at providing deep and soothing relief from chronic back pain. The heat created by the moist hot pack goes deep inside the stiff muscle tissues and improving the blood flow. Moist hot packs are more comfortable to use because it also conditions the skin. Moist packs are normally used to treat larger areas of the body, such as the spine and the back. Many microwavable hot packs that contain crops belong to this category.
So there you go, these are some of the best heating pads that are highly effective for treating backaches. Instead of constantly taking over the counter painkillers for your back or neck ache, try switching to heating pads which are much more effective and have no side effects.