Best Infrared Pads For Neck, Back, Knee Pain
What is the best infrared pad? Unlike conventional heat pads, the infrared ones use rays that penetrate deep into your body tissues, providing more efficient healing. They neither dry out or burn the skin, something that makes these devices safer than other options. However, the main benefit of infrared heat pads is heat retention ensured by natural stones built into the device. When choosing your infrared pad, make sure that it comes with such stones as tourmaline, Jade or amethyst. Tourmaline produces more negative ions and enhances blood flow, while Jade assists the penetration of infrared heat deeper into your body. In fact, the best option is a pad using a combination of these stones. The second thing to consider is the number of beneficial features. We recommend products with multiple temperature settings, an auto shut-off feature, memory function, and a timer. We believe that the iReliev Far Infrared Heating Pad meets these criteria best.
How We Tested iReliev: Infrared Pad Review
With an eye to getting an independent opinion and honest feedback from a person with a medical background and experience, we handed over the iReliev for testing to our friend who is a family therapist. Here is his opinion.
I remember my great-grandma saying that in the old days, they were advised to take a hot bath as a cure for any illness. Whether a person caught a cold or had a sore back, he or she would take a hot bath. In earlier times, bathing was a universal remedy, not just a means to maintain hygiene.
What’s my point? What I am getting at is that when I first started using the iReliev infrared heating pad, my almost forgotten childhood memories have come back. So first things first.
How Does It Work?
iReliev is an infrared heater that can be heated up to 160°F. According to the developers, it has not only a powerful warming effect but also affects the body with ions that are released when the built-in jade and tourmaline stones are heated. The heater is able to work up to 5 hours, with a gradual increase in temperature.
The heater itself is a flexible mat, which is very important. The flexibility of the design allows it to accurately follow every curve of your body, making your thermotherapy much more efficient. For example, warming the neck area is very convenient when the device is used as a cushion.
The heater comes with a controller, which impressed me with its simplicity. Four buttons are exactly what I need. Turn on/off, lower/higher, and the choice of parameters. If you buy this heating pad as a gift to your parents, it will take a couple of minutes to explain to them how to use the device. It is good that the manufacturer did not bother with modes, extra settings, the memory of the last session, and so on. Simple designs tend to rule the world since everything of genius is simple.
In addition to the main kit, you will get a carrying case. A little pleasant thing. Well, first, there is somewhere to put your heater for storage. Secondly, it will do well for traveling. Who among us hasn't put travel kit items in, say, a laptop case?
Indications & Contraindications
As a therapist, I was first concerned with the question of indications and contraindications for using the heater. Although my great-grandma used to “treat all diseases by bathing”, time and medicine do not stand still. Every day we see new discoveries, techniques, and practices.
There are completely opposite opinions about when you should use the therapeutic effects of heat, and when you shouldn’t. I just want to say that before using this or any other similar device, you must consult your doctor who is aware of all your chronic diseases. Anyway, the main rule of medicine is “first, do no harm.”
That is why I am not going to tell you about the miraculous effect of heat in myositis, the beneficial effects of ions on our muscles and joints (actually, I’m having a hard time believing in ions). So what is the point of using it, you might ask? Here is the thing.
Even on the manufacturer’s website, you can find the phrase “improves your overall body health.” Actually, I would alter it a little and complete with the words: “it puts you in a better mood”.
Lifting Your Spirits
I think you would agree that when the weather is nasty outside, it is raining, windy or freezing, we always need warmth. To be precise, we need the warmth that would completely envelop the body, as I described it above. iReliev copes with this task completely.
Coming home after a long working day, even without having any issues in my back, arms, and legs, I would enjoy lying on a warm mat that is heating up gradually and evenly. With such a device, even not-so-fun news feels better. You are warm and, therefore, you are comfortable.
Everyone at home liked the heater. From the young to the old, even a cat. The cat, of course, gets what remains of the warmth. However, given it does not mind warming itself on the operating laptop, it liked this “place in the sun” as well.
Verdict
What conclusion can I draw? I do not know — and I am not going to make such claims — whether this device can help in the treatment of some diseases. Then, do you need this heater? Yes, you do. This is a very useful device. You will use it often and your body is most likely to benefit from it.
Is iReliev well-crafted? In my opinion, yes, it is. Simplicity combined with a stylish design, flexibility, and portability are those main points for which I can give it the highest score! And most importantly, iReliev is produced by a reputable Texas-based company ExcelHealth Inc., which is a manufacturer of FDA-cleared medical-grade electrotherapy TENS Units.
Where to buy?
On the company’s official website, the iRelive heating pad is available now for $129.95 $149.95
Infrared Pads: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Infrared, or IR, pads emanate heat delivered through the invisible part of the sunlight spectrum. Using semi-precious stones or composite carbon material, IR pads are able to heat deeply into the muscles, joints, and spine.
In recent years, IR therapy has become so popular that tons of heating products have hit the market. Infrared light is known to gently increase blood flow, speed up the body's natural healing process, and decrease symptoms of chronic pain conditions.
According to research, IR heating pads can relieve pain since the heat penetrates up to three inches inside the body.
Consumers should be aware that IR heating pads do increase exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Thankfully, EMR is not linked to any specific cancers or illnesses; however, the increase in skin temperature caused by IR treatment can decrease DNA repair efficiency, which could allow skin cancer initiated by external circumstances to develop.
Always make sure to follow the instructions of the IR product and a doctor before use.
Infrared Pad Reviews
Below, you will find a review of the best infrared pads at a price ranging from $40 to $130. You may choose a device with built-in natural stones, a timer, an auto shut-off feature, multiple temperature settings, and a memory function. If you are looking for a machine washable pad, you may try a highly heat-retentive item made with pure graphene material. Also, there are various pad designed for specific body areas: neck, shoulder, knees, waist, etc.
UTK® Far Infrared Natural Jade and Tourmaline Heating Pad | Best Overall
Perfect for treating sore muscles, the UTK infrared pad is large enough to cover tender spots on your shoulder, abdomen, and limbs.
The pad uses a combination of natural jade and tourmaline, which are known to hold onto heat for a longer period of time. Moreover, this unit emits negative ions and far-infrared without an excessive release of electromagnetic radiation.
The pad even comes with automatic shut off, timer, memory, and extra temperature functions to suit your usage pattern.
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UTK Natural Jade Heating Pad: Check the current price
BRIGENIUS Far Infrared Electric Heating Pad | Best for Back Pain Relief
Utilizing pure graphene material, the Brigenius is constructed with highly heat-retentive film that releases far infrared light that's more compatible with the human body.
Within seconds, the pad provides fast relief to aching muscles, joints, and other areas under pressure. The soft, crystal cotton is comfortable and ideal for treating a large surface area.
This machine-washable pad comes with three heat setting, automatic shut off, and other safety features that keep it from short-circuiting.
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BRIGENIUS: Check the current price
UTK Jade Back Far Infrared Heating Pad | Best for Stomach Pain
The UTK wrap is designed to strap around your back, providing penetrating heat to inner tissues, muscles, and the spine. Like other UTK heating devices, this pad uses natural jade stones to emit more negative ions as it gently heats strained areas.
Even better, this heating belt is guaranteed to be radiation free for your peace of mind. It comes with extensive time, temperature, shut-off, and memory functions so that you don't have to worry.
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UTK Back Far Heating Pad: Check the current price
UTK Jade Infrared Neck Heating Pad for Pain Relief | Best for Neck & Knees
Suffer from neck pain? Often, all purpose heating pads can be too inconvenient to use around the neck, causing more muscle strain than they actually solve.
The UTK neck wrap is built to provide natural, deep relief to strained neck muscles. Featuring eight wide jade stones, this pad provides ergonomic and highly targeted relief. The pad is flexible enough to wrap around the knee, wrist, or arms.
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UTK Neck Heating Pad: Check the current price
UTK Jade Infrared Shoulder Heating Pad for Pain Relief | Best for Shoulders
The UTK shoulder pad is ergonomically designed to provide fast, targeted relief to your shoulders. With a single, unobtrusive strap and velcro clasp, the pad is sure to stay put for long usage sessions.
The brace itself contains twenty one individual jade stones, which serve to safely retain the heat generated through the carbon fiber heating element. The pad is designed to fit well on both shoulders as well at the knee.
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UTK Shoulder Heating Pad: Check the current price
Portable Electric Heating Pad for Cramps | Best for Waist
Ranging in shades from light green to pink, the BUEHUO releases powerful infrared heat to solve the persistent problem of period cramps, abdominal pain, and sore abs.
Within three seconds, the belt warms up without needing a wait. The belt features three heat settings and boasts a cordless, USB-recharge design for convenient use.
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BUEHUO: Check the current price
