Go Compare: Heat Pads for Chronic Pain

Where it is essential you seek ICE in the first instance (the acute and sub acute stage needs to stem the flow of blood, whereas heat exacerbates the situation), with chronic pain, particularly herniated / impinged disc pain, the warmth of a (protected) hot water bottle on the back, is actually quite alleviating.

But it’s not always practical to walk around with a hot water bottle, is it? So companies have started developing heat patches you can stick to your skin so that you can carry on with your day.

I went ahead and tested 2 current leading patches; Thermacare Heatwraps (£5.99 for a 2 pack) and Voltarol Thermal Patch (£2.89 for a 2 pack). There are other labels on the market which I have yet to try.

 

ThermaCare Heatwraps

The pack I purchased was for the lower back and hip area. However, they have a range to ensure they mould to appropriate parts of the body, shoulders, knees etc).

The whole shape has been well thought through with individual little pockets of the heating element (iron) as well as the actual material which sticks to your skin, and is very flexible. Therefore the whole wrap envelops your contours and moves with you. You also feel the heat begin as soon as you place this against your skin. It states you can have up to 16 hours wearing it, but this thing kept emitting heat for a further 24 hours sat in my waste paper basket after use!  I was very impressed and therefore, although if you were to use them daily, it could be seen as costly. However, it was a great aid when I needed to be out and about.

Voltarol Thermal Patches

These were far less impressive.

From peeling it and having it stuck against my back, within 2 minutes the pack was already un-sticking itself (peeling at the edges) and was yet to warm up. I’d also given it a fair old shake up (like a ‘sweet n low’ as I tried to shake the iron powder into the corners of the packs so that the correct part of my body would actually benefit from this. From a brief visit to the shops, the pad had already completely unstuck itself and fell down on the floor and it never did really warm up. I was just ‘aware’ of a vague chemical reaction having taken place.  I would have been better Pritt-sticking 2 sugar packets against my back for all the good it did!

Not flexible, unable to adhere to your movements and contours, barely warm and useless shape, covering minimum area. Even though this item is cheaper than the ThermaCare wraps, it didn’t deliver on any level: I will certainly NOT be purchasing this item again. A complete waste of time and money.

Conclusion: Buy ThermaCare Heat Wraps if you need therapeutic heat whilst on the move.