How to Make a Homemade Heating Pad

A heating pad could be a good source of relief for sore necks and backs. Applying heat may help reduce pain in strained or overexerted muscles.

Making your own heating pad with materials around your home can be a quick and easy way to soothe your sore muscles and joints.

There are several ways to make one.

Nathan Wei, MD, a board certified rheumatologist and former head of the Arthritis Treatment Center in Maryland, offers a simple method for making your own heating pad. You’ll need:

Like most people, you probably have a drawer in your house for orphaned cotton socks. Well, now you can put those lonely socks to good use! If neck and shoulder pain are causing you trouble, all you need is a sock and some rice.

This pad works best if you use a bigger sock, like a tube sock.

Making your own heating pad can be cost-efficient and safer than using an electric heating pad. If you’re feeling too sore to leave the house, it can also save you a trip to the store.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if muscle and joint pain persists for several days.

A 2014 research review found that heating pads could help increase blood flow and decrease pain for muscular injury. A heating pad is often recommended for pain related to your:

Doctors sometimes recommend using heating pads for relief from menstrual cramps or urinary tract infections. In these cases, apply a heating pad to the abdomen.

The most important aspect of heat therapy is its ability to increase blood flow to the painful areas. Heat opens up blood vessels, which allows for blood and oxygen to flow more readily to the sore areas.

Heat therapy tends to reduce muscle spasms as well, causing the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to relax.

An older 2003 research review involving people with osteoarthritis in the knee found that heated compresses can help:

A small 2014 study also found that heated compresses were effective in relieving back pain.

A heating pad prepared in the microwave for 2 minutes should hold its heat for around 20 minutes.

You can take a break and then reheat and reapply if you would like more relief. Using heated compresses twice a day may help with soreness.

Be sure to follow the instructions for using your electric heating pad to prevent burns, electric shocks, and fire. Test how hot the pad is to the touch before applying to your body.

Heat therapy with a heating pad may help with muscle soreness and stiffness. A person can make a heating pad out of common household items.

Follow a doctor’s advice on how and when to use. Certain people should avoid using heating pads, including infants, pregnant people, and people with diabetes.