Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation. Also, the pain can radiate down a leg. Bending, twisting, lifting, standing, or walking can make it worse. Fortunately, using an infrared heating pad from PHYMAT can help alleviate that pain.

Infrared is known to create soothing and deeply penetrating warmth that relieves muscle tension and relaxes the body. When passing through amethyst crystals and gemstones, unique bio-available energy is also created. It has been recommended by healthcare center owners, massage therapists, spa facilities, and medical professionals as a remedy for back pain relief. Then, how long should you lay on a heating pad for back pain?

Do heating pads help back pain?

Far infrared radiation is a novel approach to heat therapy. Natural crystals and gemstones within are heated through electrical emit far infrared rays penetrate deep into the body tissue, relieving stiffness and pain. Meanwhile, negative ions are generated, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost daytime energy.

Rainbow Chakra Balancing Mat

Currently, infrared heating pads with crystals and gemstones are typically applied on the lower or whole back for immediate pain relief. They are recommended and advised by physical therapists, acupuncturists, and medical practitioners during their treatment of patients. More than that, many people who have back pain issues also found this kind of heating mat gives relief from a stiff and pain back.

One of our Amazon customers thought it worked well for back pain:

Mat works very well compared to bio-mat. I’m very happy. Helps my back pain and it’s always good to heat the abdomen as well. I sleep on it on occasion. Great after the chiropractor. Be careful not to bend it on a soft surface. Seem like you need to use it on a harder surface.

–Amazon Customer

KG, another of our customer agree with the positive reviews of the PHYMAT 5-Gem Infrared Heating Pad.

I agree with the positive reviews onhere. The mat is really great. I melt away on it. It helps with pain relief and it helps with relaxation. I do wish the control pad felt more solid… but it seems fine. I think it’s a good price considering the cost of other brands. I don’t regret my purchase at all and I’m on a money budget… I typically don’t make such large purchases.

KG – customer of PHYMAT

And some medical professionals also use PHYMAT heating pads for their clients.

I am really happy with this purchase and my clients love it. It’s the extra layer of comfort and pain relief my regular electric table warmer did not provide. I regularly lay on it during daily meditation as well. It feels like the sun warming your body. Clients comment that they have less soreness after a deep tissue massage and sleep like a baby after a session that evening since I have been using this mat. So far no issues with the controller 🙂

Kirsten – Reviewed PHYMAT Amethyst Infrared Mat

How long should you lay on a heating pad for back pain?

Generally speaking, there is no specific protocol for any individual using a heating pad for a specific condition. That said, everyone responds differently to different modalities. It is suggested that you limit the use to 20 minutes per session of continuous use for the first several weeks to measure how you tolerate the heat.

When you feel comfortable with the pad, you can begin to use it for a longer duration of continuous use.

Many customers like to use it to help them relax and soothe aches and pains throughout the day, while others like to use the pad to help expedite the healing process of an injury. The more you use it the more relaxed and revitalized you will feel.

What did our customers say?

Nicole Lowe, a customer who had osteoarthritis for 20 years and chronic knee pain for 10 years. She has her own experience about the duration time of her own.

I sleep on this mat at night on lowest setting and my pain level which was always a 12 is now almost non existent. It’s very stiff to lay on so if you are looking for pillow soft this is not for you. I prefer a hard surface so this works well for me.

I have also used it at the highest setting for 2 hours. It takes a good 25 minutes to get the mat at maximum temperature but it’s very soothing and relaxing. Do not leave it at highest temperature all night!!

Reiki bought the full violet Amethyst Infrared Mat and approved its pain relief effects.

Warms up to set temp in about 10 minutes. Heat is penetrating and does go deep. Pain relief is real, and has lasted both me and clients as long as two days after a 45 minute treatment. Controller is HUMUNGOUS but easy to use. Overall I’m very happy with this purchase.

What do we suggest for beginner users?

Though there are no specific rules about the length of time to use a heating pad, it should stay on for about 10-30 minutes to be effective. If on for too short a time, the muscle or joint may not have an opportunity to warm up and experience pain-relieving benefits. Yet, leaving a heating pad on for too long can result in injury from burns and potentially create extreme inflammation in the body as the dilated blood vessels bring pro-inflammatory cells to the area warmed.

We suggest you use the slow and continuous mode of increasing session intensity. Please follow the usage instructions for the first several weeks of use.

  • To start, set the infrared mat on the lowest setting. You can increase one heat level setting at a time until you find the setting that feels best for you.
  • For minor aches and pain, a low setting might be more than enough to reduce pain and stiffness. You can gradually increase the intensity of heat if needed.
  • You can limit the use to 20-30 minutes per session of continuous service for the first several weeks to measure how you tolerate the heat.
  • When you feel comfortable with the pad, you can begin to use it for a longer duration of continuous use.
  • 30-45 minutes (longer if desired) is recommended for treating back pain, or any other area of your body.
  • For the first two or three weeks, we suggest using an infrared heating pad twice a day. For chronic pain, the pad may be used three or four times per day.
While heating pads can absolutely play a role in helping a muscle injury to heal, they must be used with extreme care and caution. Ensure you don’t fall asleep while using one and that you don’t use it for too long, or allow it to get too hot in one body area. With safety precautions considered, the use of a heating pad can be a helpful tool for muscle pain relief.