A moist heating pad can soothe the stiff and painful joints that accompany rheumatoid arthritis. Moist heating pads can also help relieve that “all over” pain that some people with rheumatoid arthritis get.
What is a moist heating pad?
The majority of heating pads provide dry heat. However, many say that it is better to use moist heat, including my chiroprator. The reason moist heat is suggested is, moist heat is less likely to dehydrate the skin. Moist heat will penetrate more deeply into the skin and down into the muscle.
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Please note that all opinions are my own and are not intended to be taken as medical advice.
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What’s The Best Heating Pad?
The Thermophore brand is a moist heating pad that generates it’s own moisture from the air. Nothing extra you have to do. The other two brands I recommend either need a wet cloth or a fine mist in order to make them be moist.
I have three brands of moist heating pads that I am recommending. All are in the top ten top rated moist heating pads on Amazon.
They are:
Reviews also include:
Best Heating Pad For HandsBest Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders
Battle Creek Thermophore Heating Pads
Thermophore heating pads offer soothing, comforting intense moist heat therapy for pain. A Thermophore heating pad has a specially woven Moisture-Sure fleece cover. Between uses it traps moisture from the atmosphere in the air spaces between the textile strands. The fabric will not feel wet. The application of quick, intense heat will generate this moisture into water vapors and increase the benefit of heat therapy.
However, you may live in a dry environment or want extra moisture. The Classic Plus and the MaxHeat Plus offer covers that have an extra layer in them to place a wet cloth.
Thermophore heating pads reach a much higher temperature than most heating pads do. That is one of the many reasons that doctors recommend them the most. They also might be Medicare reimbursable when prescribed for arthritis pain management.
As far as the heating pad goes, they are all the same. The difference between the models is in the switch.
What is the difference in switches?
Classic – has a hand held switch. It is kind of like a spring loaded lever. You must hold it down in order for the heating pad to warm up. This is a great safety feature. If you happen to fall asleep your hand will relax and the heating pad will turn off. No need to worry about getting burned.
Classic Plus – has the same spring loaded lever. But has an additional layer in the cover so you can add a wet cloth to produce more moisture.
Maxheat > – has a simple one-touch control switch where you just slide to turn on. There is also a pause feature. It also has an automatic shutoff so if you happen to fall asleep the heating pad will shut off after twenty minutes. I have owned three Thermophore heating pads over many years, all having a different type of switch. This is the one I like best.
Maxheat Plus – has a 3 temperature setting switch; low, medium and high. It too has an automatic shutoff after twenty five minutes. The Max Heat Plus also has the cover with the third layer so you can add an extra cloth for more moisture.
What sizes are available?
There are 3 different sizes available. The 14” x 27” size is twice the size of most standard heating pads. It will cover the entire spinal area. I love this larger size. It is large enough to go from the length of the hip and leg or all across both shoulders.
The 14” x 14” size is designed for smaller areas like a shoulder or knee. It is also good if you want to use it just on a hip or a small part of the back.
The third size is 4” x 17” which is designed for the neck, sinus or TMJ area. It will apply moist heat therapy to specific smaller joints like the elbow, knee or ankle. It includes a long Velcro fastener which allows for adjustment for a snug fit on any small area. This size is also good for traveling.
Personally, I recommend any of the Thermophore moist heating pads. They are a little more expensive that some other brands, but in my opinion, well worth it! I was first introduced to them twenty years ago. In that time I have wore out two of them. I just bought my third a few months ago. So two heating pads in twenty years? Not too bad. Especially for how much I use them, which is daily. I won’t buy anything else.
Thermaphore Classic Heating Pads
- Has the hand held switch that you have to hold down for it to operate. Heating pad cools when the switch is released.
- Available in 3 sizes: 14″ x 27″, 14″ x 14″, 4″ x 17″
Classic Heating Pad 14″ x 27″
Moist Heating Pad 14″ x14″Thermophore Moist Heat 4″ x 17″
Thermaphore Classic Plus
- Classic Plus has all the same features of the Thermaphore Classic plus a three layer moisture plus cover with a protective vinyl layer. This allows you to add even more moisture if needed.
- Has a ten foot cord
Thermophore Classic Plus Moist Heating Pad 14″ x 27″
Battle Creek Thermophore Classic Plus 14 x 14 in.
MaxHeat Heating Pad
- Has a hands-free, user-friendly on/off switch with a “pause” feature and built-in timer. Just press “on” for heat and “pause” to cool. Alternate whenever you want. There is a 20-minute timer on the heating pad. This way if you happen to fall asleep it will turn off automatically as a safety feature.
- Available in sizes 14″ x 27″ and 14″ x 14″
- My favorite
Thermophore MaxHEAT Automatic Moist Heat Pack 14″ x 27″MaxHeat Heating Pad by Thermophore 14″ x 14″
MaxHeat Plus Deep Heat Therapy Heating Pads
- Constant-Comfort switch is a user friendly switch with a built in 25 minute timer. It has three temperature settings; low, medium and high.
- One of the differences between the MaxHeat Plus is the unique Moisture-Plus cover which allows you to add a moist cloth to create more moisture.
- Available in sizes 14″ x 27″ and 14″ x 14″
Thermophore MaxHeat Deep Heat Therapy – 14″ x27″MaxHeat Deep Heat Heating Pad – 14″ x 14″
Sunbeam Heating Pads Review
King Size Heating Pad By Sunbeam
Sunbeam King Size Heating PadThe Sunbeam King Size heating Pad measures 12″ x 24″. It features a slide control with three heat settings, low (110 F), medium (138 F) and high (160 F). Attached is a extra long nine foot cord. The pad is made of vinyl. The cover is both machine washable and dryable.
You can use this heating pad dry or moist. There is a thin blue pad that you can moisten either by wetting under a faucet (make sure you wring it out good to remove excess water) or moisten with a spray bottle. Place the sponge between the pad and the cover.
However, if I wanted a moist heating pad, personally, I would purchase one of the Battle Creek Thermophore heating pads that we talked about earlier in this article. They draw moisture from the air to make them moist so you don’t have to do anything extra. They are quite a bit more expensive than this model, but well worth it!
The Sunbeam King Size heating pad does not have an auto shutoff. Some people find this to be an advantage and some a disadvantage. Many of the people who reviewed this product loved the fact that it did not shut off. Personally, I see it as a safety feature.
I think the biggest advantage to this Sunbeam King Size heating pad is the price. If you are looking for an inexpensive heating pad this would be the one to choose.
Sunbeam Microplush Heating Pad
Sunbeam Heating Pad with Auto Shut Off 12″ x 24″
The easy care, machine washable plush fabric of the Sunbeam microplush heating pad is soft and flexible and easily conforms to different parts of the body. The cord disconnects from the heating pad so you can just throw it into the washer. It measures 12″ x 24″ and will easily cover your back or hips.
The digital LED controller let’s you choose between four settings; warm, low , medium and high heat. The auto shutoff feature of this micro plush heating pad is two hours. Unless you are using it as a bed warmer for your feet, you probably shouldn’t be using it any longer than that anyway.
Sunbeam XpressHeat King Size Heating Pad
Sunbeam Heating Pad – Has 6 Heat Settings 12″ x 24″
The Sunbeam XpressHeat king size heating pad measures a large 12″ x 24″. The digital LCD controller has a unique heat meter. All four sides of the heat meter will light up showing you the progress as the heating pad warms. It will let you know when it is ready. You can select from six different settings.
The Sunbeam XpressHeat also comes in a smaller version that measures 1″ x 15″.
Pure Relief Heating Pads Reviews
PureRelief Extra Large Heating Pads
There are two sizes of the PureRelief heating pads. One of them measures 12″ x 24″ and one that measures 20″ x 24″. Both of them are made of super soft, thick, microplush fabric. That is one of the things that a lot of reviewers really liked.
A feature that sets these heating pads apart from others is that it has six temperature settings; warm (~105 F), low-temperature (~112 F), medium-low (~119 F), medium (~126 F), medium-high (~133 F), and high (~140 F). Most heating pads only have 3, sometimes 4 settings.
There is a 2-hour auto shut off to conserve energy and prevent burning. However, if you wish, you can set it on manual turnoff which means that it will stay on until you manually turn it off. A lot of people really like this override feature.
The PureRelief XL is available in two colors, gray and blue. The PureRelief XXL is only available in gray.
PureRelief XL Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder, 12″ x 24″PureRelief XL Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder, 12″ x 24″PureRelief XL Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder, 20″ x 24″
Best Heating Pad For Hands
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, then you probably have stiff hands. The Thermophore MaxHeat Muff heating pad lets you tuck your painful hands into a muff of soothing moist heat. Can also be used to go around painful ankles, knees, elbows and wrists.
Thermophore Moist Hand Heating Pad MuffBuy on Amazon
Best Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders
Pure Relief Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder
Made out of ultra soft micromink, soft and smooth and yet durable enough to use daily. Perfectly shaped so it can drape comfortably right over your neck and shoulders.
Has a convenient two hour shut off option and 4 heat settings. The moist heat option provides deeper heat therapy.
Available in two colors: charcoal gray and turquoise blue.
Pure Relief Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder – Charcoal GrayPure Relief Heating Pad for Neck and Shoulder – Turquoise Blue
Sunbeam Renue Relieving Heat Therapy Pad for Neck and Shoulders
#1 Best Seller on Amazon
The Sunbeam Renue heat therapy pad is designed to help provide soothing relief for the back of the head, neck and shoulders. Flexible fabric along with weighted beads and a magnetic closure allow the wrap to sit comfortably on your shoulder.
There are 4 adjustable heat settings to choose from and it has a 2 hour auto-off feature. Machine washable so you can use it daily.
Available in two colors; brown and green.
Watch this Video for More Information On the Sunbeam Renue Relieving Heat Therapy Pad for Neck and Shoulders
Moist heating pads are the perfect pain relief after working in the garden with your Ergonomic Garden Hand Tools
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