Super Search
 

Question from Robin

I experience muscle tension and pain in several areas of my body, and one of the treatments recommended to me is the apllication of heat.

I have a hot water bottle, but this doesn’t work well for neck or shoulder pain.

I’m looking at getting an electric heating pad so I can use it for pain relief while I’m lying down. What are the pros and cons of electric heating pads from a holistic health and environmental perspective? They’re made with an automatic shut-off feature nowadays, so I’m not terribly worried about fire hazards.

Any other options you can suggest?

Many thanks.

By the way, I love your Web site, and consult it regularly. The Green Living Q&A blog is a great idea, and I was pleasantly surprised by the direct nature and helpfulness of reader comments.

Debra’s Answer

Heating pads are generally made from synthetic plastic materials, and are full of electric wiring that generate electromagnetic fields (if anyone wants to comment more on the health effects of EMFs from heating pads, feel free). Heating pads also will not biodegrade at the end of their useful life.

Instead of using a heating pad, I recommend a natural heat pack. They have natural fiber covers and are filled with various natural materials. You heat them in the oven or microwave and then the heat transfers from the pack to your body when placed on the afflicted area. These are renewable and biodegradable, and have no electromagnetic fields. And because they are filled with small bits, they conform exactly to hug body parts with their warmth.

The first one that came to mind was the salt-filled sachet at Himalayan Living Salt. It’s a 100% cotton pouch filled with “The Original” Himalayan Crystal Salt, which gives the unique healing benefits of the salt as well as comforting heat.

Dreamcraft makes heat packs in several sizes and shapes from cotton or organically-grown cotton, filled with organically-grown flax seed, rice, millet, buckwheat hulls, and lavender. Each is custom made, so they are happy to make your pack to your specifications.

Natural Pack has heat packs in several different styles, filled with “a grain product.”

Self-guided.com has heat packs covered with cotton flannel and filled with flax seeds.

Add Comment

ARE TOXIC PRODUCTS HIDDEN IN YOUR HOME?

Toxic Products Don’t Always Have Warning Labels. Find Out About 3 Hidden Toxic Products That You Can Remove From Your Home Right Now.