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James Bricknell Advanced editing
James has been writing about technology for years, but has loved it since the early 90s. While his main area of expertise is maker tools—3D printers, vinyl cutters, paper printers, and laser cutters—he also enjoys playing board games and tabletop role-playing games.
- 6 years of professional work in the field of 3D printing/4 years of testing consumer electronics products for large websites.
Easy to wrap as needed
Sun heating pad
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Lumbar and thermal support
Newgam Lumbar Support Pillow
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don’t be afraid to sleep
Sunbeam Neck and Shoulder Heating Pad
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Budget-friendly relief
My pain relief heating pad
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Apple Fit Plus
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A good heating pad can make a big difference for your sore muscles. Whether you’re just getting older, have a demanding job, or have been sitting at a desk for hours, you may feel pain in some parts of your body when you’re done for the day. For those of us who sit all day, lower back and hip pain are common complaints—especially if we’re not using the best office chairs. For some affordable and easy-to-use options to help relieve pain, we recommend choosing one of the best heating pads.
Most heating pads can relieve joint pain, neck pain, and back pain, and can even help with arthritis and spasms. To be clear, if you have back pain and don’t know the cause, you should talk to your doctor. Trust me, you don’t want to leave random pain untreated for long periods of time.
That being said, let’s look at what we use to relieve stress.
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This is a large heating pad that wraps around the problem area. I switched to this brand because it heats more evenly (avoiding the hot and cold spots that plague electric heaters). The control panel gives you the option of automatic shutoff or continuous heating until you’re ready to take a break. Plus, you can unplug the cord and throw the soft microfiber pad in the washing machine to make it look like new again.
——Jessica Dorcott
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I have an injury to my sciatic nerve, which flares up when I sit too much. When working from home, I tend to find myself deeply involved in a project and not on my feet as much as I should, which can lead to some pain. When this happens, I know I need to break out the handy Sunbeam heating pad I’ve been using for a few years.
It is very reliable and has multiple temperature settings to control the amount of heat it puts out. It comes in a few different sizes, but I chose one of the middle sizes to cover more of my back at once to help relieve my back pain. It has a fabric upholstery cover that has stayed clean throughout the years I’ve had it.
— Jared DePaine
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I bought myself one of these during lockdown to be more comfortable working from bed. Then I bought two more as gifts for people who didn’t know they needed them. Now I can’t live without this comfortable portable support.
——Jessica Dorcott
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Showcase our expert views
I bought a Sunbeam heating pad because to me the most important feature of a heating pad is the ability to turn off automatically. I’m pretty good at taking painkillers, putting on a heating pad and falling asleep. It’s not the safest way to live. So it’s nice to know that my heating pad automatically turns off after two hours of use. This model will fit anywhere and dissipates heat so well that I don’t have to worry about it being unsafe because I dozed off.
——Russell Hawley
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I really should have spent the extra money on a wired heating pad, but I don’t think I’m using it enough to be worth it. Whenever I have back pain I use a microwave pad to help relieve the pain. Just pop it in the microwave and let it cool naturally on your body. The rice and flax seeds inside managed to retain the heat for about 10 minutes, which seemed to be enough to stop the pain in my back. Your results may vary.
——James Bricknell
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I have been struggling with back pain, mostly caused by poor posture and sitting at a computer desk for long periods of time. Since I started using Apple Fitness Plus for full-body strength and Pilates workouts at home, not only have I gotten healthier and no longer need to go to the gym, but my back pain has rarely been an issue. Subscription costs $10 per month, or $80 per year (up to 5 family members).
read more: My Year with Apple Fitness Plus: Dramatic Weight Loss at Home
——Andrew Rankson
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The information contained herein is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
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