Heating Pad for Back Pain: Far Infrared vs. Electric heating pad

There’s no doubt that using a heating pad for back pain is a great way to get dramatic back pain relief – without medication.

But why are far infrared heating pads more expensive than electric heating pads? do they relieve pain better? for longer?

Let’s take a look at the (major) differences between the commonly used electric heating pad and far infrared heating pad, to help you make the best choice.

Heating Pad for Back Pain – Electric vs. Infrared

 1. Heat via 

Electric Heating Pads: Carbon fibers

Infrared Heating Pads: Carbon fibers  Jade stones  Amethyst Stones Tourmaline stones

2.Heat Penetration 

2-3 mm for electric heating pads   

up to 5 cm for far infrared heating pads 

3. EMF 

Electric heating pads: high 

 far infrared heating pads: low

Pain Relief: 

Electric heating pad: Until you turn it off   

Far infrared heating pad:Up to 6 hours after treatment

The “regular” heating pad for back pain that you can get from your local pharmacy uses electricity to create heat. This type of heat penetrates a mere 2-3 mm and basically only warms your skin (and in some cases burns it, like it did mine).

The heat never reaches deep into your muscles, tissues or organs. This is exactly why any pain relief you feel disappears the minute your pad is shut off.

On the other hand, the far infrared heating pad uses natural jade stones, or carbon fibers to emit infrared rays, which penetrate much deeper into your body – all the way to your muscles, nerves and bones.

When far infrared waves penetrate through the skin it turns from light energy into heat energy.

Using a far infrared heating pad for about 30 minutes can get you up to 6 hours (!!) of back pain relief – without any medication.

Plus, the deep penetrating infrared rays do not only relieve your pain, they actually increase blood circulation in your muscles and help your body HEAL the injured area – faster.

Safety of Electric Heating Pads vs. Infrared Heating Pads

Infrared rays are a part of the Sun’s invisible spectrum. It can’t be seen but it can be felt as heat. They can’t burn you and are 100% safe for all living things.

Far infrared heating pads to not emit UV radiation at all.

It is so safe in fact, that Far Infrared heat is used in many neonatal units.

Electric heating pads, on the other hand, produce something else other than heat. They produce an electromagnetic field (EMF).

All electric devices produce electromagnetic fields and by now most of us know how dangerous EMF radiation can be.

This is why you should not live in a house near high voltage power lines. According to the EPA, these fields have been linked to leukemia, lymphomas and other types of cancer.

If that’s not enough, just ask around and you will learn how many people have suffered skin burns caused by their heating pad.

Electric Heating Pad vs. FIR Heating

While an electric heating pad has no other health benefits other than temporarily heating of your skin, the Journal of American Medical has published a list of the health benefits of far infrared therapy:

Long lasting pain relief

Reduction of arthritis pain

Increasing of blood circulation (promoting a faster recovery and cleansing of your whole body)

Helps to remove toxins in the body

Improves range of motion

Promotes stress relief and relaxation Reduction in pain

Where Can You Get a Far Infrared Heating Pad?

You can use the healing benefits of far infrared heat in the comfort of your own home.

All you have to do is find a high quality infrared pad, at the size that fits you most (according to your body type) and choose whether you want it to use Jade stones or carbon fiber.