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Many people use electric heating pads to alleviate their back pain, aching joints and their sore muscles. Their positive effects are obvious, hence the big number of users. The question is whether or not these pads are really safe to use. You can search the web for such information, but you always need to take everything you read with a grain of salt, as not everyone is a scientist or an expert in the human body and the effects of heat on its various organs.

Always trust advice written by medical doctors or information published in reputable medical journals and magazines. If you read something in JAMA, you can rest assured the article is supported by scientific studies and evidence. On the contrary, if you read something on a semi-anonymous health blog, you should check and double-check everything before trusting it.

Apparently, if you are in perfect health, you can safely use electric heating pads, as long as you don’t apply them for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. If you want to heat an area of your body throughout the entire duration of a day, you should seek for alternative methods such as all-day heat wraps available in pharmacies.

What About The Risks Of Using Heat Pads

Some people are afraid to use electric heating pads because they believe electromagnetic field radiations may give them cancer. As a matter of fact, there are many household appliances and IT gadgets that emit EMF radiations. So you should question your other practices as well. If you use a cell phone and a microwave, you are exposed to the same risks.

Nonetheless, the good news is that you can continue using your favorite appliances, as none of the existing studies managed to prove that EMF radiations increase the risk of cancer in humans. This means electric heating pads are also safe in regard to this threat. However, it’s also worth mentioning that the possibility of a link between the prolonged use of electric appliances and the increased likelihood of DNA transformations hasn’t been ruled out for now.

In fact there are premium quality heat pads that have lower EMF’s compared to regular heat pads while also incorporating negative ions. If you were ever on the fence about using a heat pad for health reasons, these are the best pads you can use. Not only are they safer, they are also more effective at relieving pain due to their premium features.

Sleeping & Laying On An Electric Heat Pad – Safety Concerns

There’s absolutely no doubt that heating pads (the good ones) work extremely well. But sometimes, they work too well. By this I mean people will push the boundaries. Not only for using over an extended period which goes against the manufacturers guidelines. But by taking them to bed with them.

Never should you take a heat pad to bed. People have actually died form doing this. While it’s not a huge number, is it a risk you want to take?. Electricity and a heating product can result in fire. So don’t push your luck. As for laying on the pad, the answer is yes and no. Some heat pads are designed to be laid on, like the full body versions. But some are designed that the heating coils inside cannot withstand the stress of your body laying on it. So again, read the product manual before use. Don’t overlook this.

Is It Safe To Use Heating Pads During Pregnancy?

Needless to say that pregnancy can cause some serious muscle stretching and strain. This results in pain and discomfort for every Women on this planet. But can you use a heat pad when pregnant?. While I’m sure many have done so in the past, does it make it right. Does this affect the babies health?. These are the questions that any family expecting a newborn needs to know.

99 times out of 100 I would recommend infrared heat pads. But when it comes to using them with a baby inside you, please avoid. That is if you are planning to use these pads anywhere near Bubs. Unfortunately infrared does penetrate deeper inside the body then any other heat pad. So while normally fantastic at getting into the muscles and joints, it’s not the best idea for when you are carrying another life inside you.

Should You Buy A Heating Pad?

Scientists consider conducting more studies to prove this link. Until then, if you fear your normal cells are going to turn into malignant ones as consequence of using an electric heating pad, you should probably get a non-electric blanket that you can heat in your microwave before use. Your peace of mind is more important than anything else in the world, as it may influence your health and well-being.

Another thing to consider are ongoing health issues. For example, if you have a pacemaker it’s critical to make sure the heating pad doesn’t have any magnetic clips or buttons. These are common in heating pads for the neck as the magnet is used to hold the heating pad around your neck.

Heating Pads Are Safe To Use Daily Withing Reason

In conclusion, there’s no straight answer to the question whether electric heating pads are safe or not. While they seem to be harmless, it’s also true that there isn’t enough evidence to support any of the two sides of this matter just yet. All you can do is to keep on using the pads, but make sure you limit the time to 15-20 minutes at once. Always ask your Doctor first if you have any health condition and follow the products specified maximum heating period. This is for your safety and the longevity of the device.  If you fear potentially harmful side effects, you’d be better off with some of the classic heating methods, so consider giving up electric pads in favor of warm blankets and hot water bottles.