With the weather getting chillier and winter just around the corner, many people are getting ready to break out their heating pads. Whether they are to be used to warm up or deal with localized pain, they are a comfort for many people. However, this comfort can come at a cost-exposure to electromagnetic frequencies.
The subject of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from heating pads is hardly ever discussed and certainly deserves special attention. If you often feel that a heating pad is your only option for pain relief but are concerned about electromagnetic radiation, then an alternative is definitely worth looking for.
In this article, we will look at the reasons heating pads can be often problematic, along with the best ways to reduce or block the EMF they emit.
How Much EMF Does a Heating Pad Emit?
Like all electrical appliances that heat up, heating pads generate large amounts of electromagnetic radiation.
This is because it takes a lot of energy to generate heat. In addition, heating pads are considered more dangerous due to their proximity to your body.
The use of electricity to generate heat requires a lot of energy. In essence, heat is an electrical current flowing through a tough wire. This means that it demands a lot from the power grid and can often generate high levels of dirty electricity.
In addition, a heating pad creates EMF radiation in the form of an electric field, which is another potentially detrimental element. However, this applies to any energy-intensive heating system, but it is a particular problem with heating pads.
Electromagnetic radiation is generally viewed in two ways: proximity to the body and duration of exposure.
Certain areas of the body, such as legs and arms, are considered to be less at risk than the head and torso.
Long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation is believed to be more dangerous than short or even large bursts.
It is evident this is a particular issue with heating pads. The point is, they are meant to be in direct contact with your skin, often for prolonged periods. While some individuals use heating pads overnight, manufacturers often advise against using them as they can cause burns or other problems.
Electromagnetic radiation is considered cumulative, which means the longer you are exposed to it, the more dangerous it becomes. This applies to both weak and strong sources of EMF exposure, but powerful sources are of greater concern.
Since heating pads are a potential problem in terms of exposure to electromagnetic radiation and all the health problems they can cause, it seems like a bad idea to have them in your home. While some people think they help manage pain, other options may be worth considering.
How to Protect Yourself From EMFs
Heating pads may be a source of EMFs that we don’t really think about, but the truth is, they are just one of many sources in our homes.
While we do have the option for many simple alternatives to electric heating pads, other sources of EMFs in your home are much more difficult to go without.
It is for that reason that our line of EMF protection products are so necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones while at home, work and on the go.
Our line of Orgone Energy products works by emitting healthy negative ions that neutralize the potentially dangerous positive ions emitted by EMFs.
While it is great to learn about healthier alternatives to EMF emitting products, it is also important to protect yourself when alternatives are not available or convenient.
Our Geoclense® Negative Ion Generator Home Harmonizer is a great option to protect your entire property from EMFs. Many of our customers report that their homes feel lighter, their families less anxious and able to sleep more deeply.
Can Using a Heating Pad Be Harmful?
Heating pads usually generate heat using infrared radiation that penetrates 2-3 mm into the skin.
It is considered beneficial for back pain: it is more than a superficial treatment. However, this carries several potential risks.
Here, too, it should be pointed out again that heating pads are often in direct contact with the skin over a long period.
This is where the real problem lies, and heating pads are a relatively powerful source of electromagnetic radiation. Here are the top health problems associated with EMF radiation:
- Increased risk of different types of cancer
- Sleep cycle disorders, including difficulty falling asleep and waking up
- Increased risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Head fog, headaches, and migraines
- DNA damage
- Abnormal cell growth
- Heart problems
- Changes in blood pressure
There are other health problems associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields, but these are the most important.
As the longer you are exposed to EMF radiation, the higher your risk, you can likely understand why heating pads are an important product to protect yourself from.
Some people are very sensitive to electromagnetic radiation and have difficulty being near sources of electromagnetic radiation, even relatively weak ones.
However, several people may not even know that they are prone to this problem, as the symptoms can often be mistaken for other medical conditions.
The use of a heating pad can be expected to treat a pain problem. Many of the secondary symptoms of this pain can be made worse by using a heating pad, even if it appears to be treating the main issue. However, it can be daunting to find the ideal balance between the two issues.
How to Reduce or Block EMF from Heating Pads
As more people become aware of the potential health problems associated with electromagnetic radiation, more alternatives are emerging. How helpful they are, of course, largely depends on the severity of your pain and what other methods you have tried to treat it.
You may have discovered that a heating pad is among the few things that make a difference. Here, your options are a bit more limited. Below are ways to reduce or block EMF from heating pads.
1. Try Low EMF Heating Pads
The market is quite crowded, so there are many options to choose from. However, it can also be quite difficult to choose the right option for you.
Often, low EMF heating pads use semi-precious stones such as amethyst as a heating element.
Our Tourmaline Infrared Mat is a great example of a low EMF heating mat. While this is obviously a much larger surface than your average heating pad, it also offers many additional health benefits.
Our Tourmaline mat uses the finest jade and tourmaline stones and produces negative ion molecules. Negative ions are found in most natural outdoor environments such as mountain areas, lakes, beaches, oceans, and waterfalls.
Our Tourmaline Infrared Mat is a convenient way to increase your exposure to negative ions while also addressing your pain.
Once negative ions reach the cells in our bloodstream, it produces effective biochemical reactions helping to ease depression, boosting your immune system, efficiency, daytime energy, and boosting your defense against diseases or infection.
A low EMF heating mat significantly reduces the amount of EMF radiation emitted by the device. However, keep in mind that all electrical devices still emit some levels of electromagnetic radiation, so be careful when companies claim that their devices have no emissions.
Some of the stone types used in these low-emission mats, such as our tourmaline are also said to have positive properties when it comes to shielding the body from electromagnetic radiation.
However, keep in mind that you will probably have to spend a bit more money on a low-emission heating mat, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Inexpensive heating pads have several problems, especially when it comes to radiation emissions, while a better quality heating pad is more efficient.
We recommend considering a low EMF heating pad if you think a heating pad is a right option for your pain. If possible, limit yourself to about 30 minutes a day, as this will at least reduce your exposure time.
2. Make a Homemade Heating Pad
If your pain is not too severe, but the intense heat is a great way to control it, then it may be worth making your heating pad at home. It’s a great way to enjoy the benefits of a heating pad without having an electrical appliance strapped to your body. You have a few options here:
3. Use a Damp Cloth
Take a damp tea towel and place it in a microwave-safe plastic bag, e.g. a freezer bag. Microwave in 30 seconds pulses until warm but not hot. Wrap this entire pack in a dry towel and place it on the affected area. This should keep warm for about 30 minutes.
4. Wear an Old Sock
A large, homemade heating pad can be crafted from an old sock. Fill it with raw rice and possibly add some drops of lavender essence to flavor it. Cook in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until lukewarm. It’s worth letting it sit for a while before it is applied to the affected area, as dried rice can continue to heat up after being removed from the microwave. It should keep warm for some time. Alternatively, you can use dry oatmeal or barley.
5. Heat a Towel in the Oven
This is a good option if you need a heating pad for a larger area. Just take a damp towel and place it in the oven at 300°F for 5 to 10 minutes. At this time, start checking it out as it should be hot but not dry. Wrap this towel in another dry towel, then apply it to the affected area for about 20 minutes. This is likely the most labor-intensive option, but not that difficult yet.
Of course, these methods always use an electrical device, namely a microwave. As those of you familiar with electromagnetic radiation know, it is an excellent source of radiation in the home. However, you won’t be using it for long and have the advantage of being a safe distance from the microwave during use. This almost eliminates the deleterious element of electromagnetic radiation associated with using heating pads.
6. Purchase a Reusable Heating Pad
Often, heating pads are sold as hand warmers and are reusable or disposable. They work through a chemical reaction, so they are basically without electricity during the entire usage process.
Also, heating pads are available in larger versions to use as heating pads. It’s a great alternative to electric heating pads, as they can easily be broken and worn out. Some only need three seconds to heat up and stay warm for about one hour.
Obviously, buying a reusable one is worth it as it would be a waste to use a new single-use device every time. Reusable heating pads can be boiled in water to restore them to their liquid state. Most manufacturers claim heating pads will last for years and some can get really hot.
7. Use a Hot Water Bottle
An ancient and safe way to apply heat to the body is by using a hot water bottle. These have been around for a long time in one form or another, and there is a reason. With a hot water bottle, you need not worry about electromagnetic radiation, as you can fill it with tap water and then apply it to the affected area. They also stay warm for a long time, so you can take them to bed and continue treating your pain.
Final Thoughts
It can be difficult to find the balance between using a heating pad and managing your pain. Although heating pads give off EMF radiation, they can sometimes be one of the few things that actually work for certain people. As you can see, however, there are many non-EMF alternatives to a regular heating mat. In either case, the most important thing you can do is limit your exposure time to these electromagnetic radiation sources.
