UTKFar Infrared Heating Pad,Natural Jade and Tourmaline Heat Pad for Back Pain,Auto Shut Off Heating Pad with Memory Function, Adjustable Heat and Time (Size: 23.5" X 16")

GOOD:- Very relaxing- Relieves pain- Accelerates healing- Eliminates menstrual cramps- Optional cover is nice- Customer service is phenomenalBAD:- Only 1 size available- No light switchTIPS:- Reinforce cable jacket- Beware of wet dreams------------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------I have lower back problems and throw out my back every few months. It renders me useless for several days. I'd been using a "moist heat" heating pad as part of my recovery routine, but I felt like it was more likely to burn my skin than heal my back pain, so I started looking into these so-called "far infrared" heating pads.------------------------------------------------GOOD: VERY RELAXING------------------------------------------------I was surprised by how relaxing this heating pad is. It is far superior to my old Thermophore, because I can precisely control the temperature and I can actually lie down on it without worrying about getting burned. The stones heat up evenly, and there's no hot spots. So it's not just physically relaxing, it's also psychologically relaxing. I don't worry about falling asleep on this heating pad; I just set it and forget it.The physical relaxation is also vastly superior. The instructions suggest taking things slow to allow your body to adjust to the magical healing powers of FIR heat. I completely ignored said instructions and spent about 8 hours lying on this thing the first day I had it. It just feels so good, it's hard to pull myself away.------------------------------------------------GOOD: RELIEVES PAIN------------------------------------------------This heating pad provides fast and effective pain relief for my back. Sometimes my lower back injury produces shooting pains that I can feel down my legs. When I lie down on this heating pad, that pain essentially disappears, as long as I don't move. This effect lingers for maybe an hour after I stop using it.------------------------------------------------GOOD: ACCELERATES HEALING------------------------------------------------In terms of healing ability, that's difficult to assess objectively, because my recovery time varies from one "threw out my back again" episode to the next. That being said, it does seem like this recent recovery (my first using this pad) was about 50% faster. In other words, after 2 days of this heat pad, I felt like I usually do after 3 days of the old heat pad. Then again, I spent way more time lying on this one. One subjective anecdote is hardly enough data to go by, but at this point, my gut is telling me yes, this heating pad accelerated my healing process.------------------------------------------------GOOD: ELIMINATES MENSTRUAL CRAMPS------------------------------------------------My female friend was suffering from menstrual cramps, so I let her try my new heating pad. I was curious if it would work as well for that as it does for my back pain. She used it for about an hour and said not only did it completely stop the cramps, but that they didn't return for the rest of the day.------------------------------------------------GOOD: OPTIONAL COVER IS NICE------------------------------------------------When I purchased this heating pad, Amazon prompted me to buy the UTK Replacement Cover Bag, which is simply a zip-up cover made for this heating pad. I was initially hesitant to spend even more money, but ultimately I'm happy with my decision to buy it. It fits well and really adds a touch of class to the heating pad. Plus, my dog has a habit of sleeping on the heating pad when I'm done with it (the stones retain heat for awhile, even after it's turned off), so the cover keeps the dog hairs out and is easily washable.------------------------------------------------GOOD: CUSTOMER SERVICE IS PHENOMENAL------------------------------------------------I had an issue with the first heating pad I received. After I threw my back out, I was sleeping on my heating pad every night. Well, the cord got caught between the mattress and the bed frame, so when I lay on it, it pulled very hard on the cord, but the cord had no give, so it put too much stress on the part where the cord meets the heating pad, and the cable jacket ripped loose. The wires inside the jacket were still connected (and have their own individual insulating jackets), so it was still perfectly functional and safe to use, but it looked kinda sketchy and was stressing me out.So I emailed UTK's customer service, attached pictures, and asked for a replacement under warranty (naturally, I omitted any details that suggested the damage was my fault). And, despite the process outlined on their website, I specifically requested that they mail me a replacement first (before I mail them the damaged one), so that my daily use of this heating pad would not be interrupted. To my surprise, they emailed me back the same day and agreed to make an exception for me. Within 24 hours I had a tracking number, and within 48 hours I had my replacement. Pretty impressive, actually.In short, UTK was very responsive, they honored my warranty (without an interrogation), and their customer service was impeccable.------------------------------------------------BAD: ONLY 1 SIZE AVAILABLE------------------------------------------------At the time of writing, UTK only offers their new DC-powered heating pad in this one size (23" x 16.5"). While this size is sufficient to cover most of my back, it is not long enough to reach from my neck to my tail bone. As I'm lying on it for my lower back pain, I can't help but wish it could reach my neck too (which is usually sore, but unrelated to my back injury). I'm strongly considering a second heating pad, but the price of a dual heating pad setup is a tough pill to swallow. It would have been nice if UTK offered the DC power option in the same variety of sizes as their other heating pads.------------------------------------------------BAD: NO LIGHT SWITCH------------------------------------------------The buttons and display on the heating pad controller are large and bright, which is great for adjusting the heat/timer settings, but not so great when you're trying to sleep. I keep my bedroom completely blacked out, and in that setting, looking at the display is like staring at the Sun. It would be nice if there was a way to turn off the controller lights. The less-elegant solution I came up with was to wrap a black handkerchief around the cord and tape it so that I can slide it over the controller. It looks a bit tacky, but it works.------------------------------------------------TIP: REINFORCE CABLE JACKET------------------------------------------------When I received my new heating pad, I added some tape to the spot where the cable jacket came out of my previous heating pad, just as a precautionary measure. That way, if someone trips on the cord or whatever, this joint won't be the weakest link. If you use your heating pad in a manner that stresses this joint (e.g., tossing and turning when you sleep on it), consider taping the cable jacket to the plastic grommet where the cable meets the heating pad. This will give it a bit of extra strength. I'll upload some pics for clarity.------------------------------------------------TIP: BEWARE OF WET DREAMS------------------------------------------------Yeah...so...this is awkward, but worth mentioning. For context, I'm currently a single man in my mid 30's. I'm not exactly what you'd consider the primary demographic for experiencing "nocturnal emissions". What I mean is it's a relatively rare occurrence for me. However, during the first 5 days that I slept on this heating pad, 2 of those nights resulted in wet dreams. I alternate between sleeping on my back and stomach, and when I position the heating pad to target my lower back injury, it inadvertently "targets" my groin area when I flip over on my stomach. Both times it happened, I woke up on my stomach. So basically I was dry-humping my heating pad in my sleep.Now, maybe I'm just a freak. Maybe this was just a huge coincidence and has nothing to do with this heating pad. And surely, this is all way too much information. But personally, I'm convinced this heating pad gave me wet dreams. I'm not suggesting most people will experience this. I'm only mentioning it here as a heads-up to any male stomach-sleepers out there. Proceed with caution and consider buying the washable cover. Just sayin'.------------------------------------------------CONCLUSION------------------------------------------------I'm enjoying this heating pad much more than I expected. And no, it's not (just) because of the dreams. I find myself working it into my daily activities even when my back feels fine. I'll use it on the couch when I watch TV, on my computer chair when I work, and even outside when I meditate in cold weather. It's so easy to use, and it adds an extra layer of comfort and relaxation to a variety of activities and settings. I was initially hesitant to spend so much money on a heating pad, but at this point, I'm seriously thinking about getting another one just so I don't have to keep moving it from room to room. And a second one would reach from my neck to the back of my thighs, for more of a "full body relaxation" feeling. Plus...you know...I've always wondered what it would be like to have a threesome.------------------------------------------------UPDATE------------------------------------------------I did it. I got a second heating pad! I keep one set up on my computer chair, and one on the couch. When I throw my back out, I'll use both with my zero gravity chair. It's awesome. On special occasions, I'll lie on one and put the other on top of me, letting that far infrared heat penetrate me from both sides. I find double penetration to be deeply satisfying and I highly recommend it.

We use this heating pad every day, warming up our muscles/joints to help ease sport-related strain and prevent injury. After pulling out my back and having severe back spasm last year and a partial tear of my calf over the winter (all from pickleball—what else? 😆) I decided to try this far infrared tech for warming up our muscles. Some physical therapists on YouTube (eg Bob and Brad) had recommended far infrared tech. Never thought I’d ever pay this much for a heating pad but it has been very effective in warming up and loosening up my muscles and I’ve not had any other injuries since. Now I’d say that it’s a bargain of a medical device. This is actually our second UTK heating pad, with the first being the smaller pad with wrap around band for the lower back (not used since we got this larger one).Every morning I sit with it on a couch while sipping my coffee and surfing the Tube, especially for hamstrings and back. It does take 10 min or so to warm up sufficiently so do turn it on as early as you can. After daily use by both my wife and me for 10 months, the unit failed, giving this EAA message on the controller. Very disappointed as we’d come to depend on this heater. In contacting the UTK customer service email, I was shocked to get a response 1 minute later from “Vivian”. After some back and forth emails over a couple of days confirming the problem (connector between the controller and pad- I suspect a common problem), Vivian confirmed that a replacement would be sent. Only 1 day later I received the replacement unit (I guess the product is stocked in the local Amazon warehouse). This new one is slightly different in that it does not have the screw in connector between the controller and pad, so hopefully we won’t have the same problem happen again within a year.Kudos to this most excellent customer service on a product we love! I plan on getting other pads with specific shapes (eg for shoulder or neck) maybe for Christmas.

The media could not be loaded. So my FIR (Far InfraRed) heating pad obsession started with the neck wrap, progressed to the tan one with photons, then this one! My husband has the back wrap, and we’ve gifted the back wrap:) I have wonky circulation so even if I rest with this on 103, it helps with the microcirculation in the area and vascular development based on studies i’ve read. If my adrenaline is being annoying I grab one of these and crank it up and your body can’t fight the endorphins haha it forces you to relax. I LOVE that i can adjust it per degree, love the red lighting, and my pro tip is to cut off the tube of a sock and cover the remote to pad to prevent noise as it contacts the frame of your bed, and dims the light if you’re sensitive like me :) Also UTK customer service was how i chose to try this brand (based on reading through reviews) and I did have an issue with one not working as expected, and UTK had me try a couple of troubleshooting tips, then promptly replaced it when it didn’t start working properly again. Huge fan of the products and the fact that they stand by their products.

After using this heating pad for about 8 months every single day it has made me feel so much better than the regular type heating pads I've used most of my life (I am 67). I love the warmth of it and the stones kind of work like a massage on my back while using it in my recliner. However, after 8 months is stopped working and I was really bummed, but I'm very happy now because the seller sent me a brand new one and it's working great again. They were very helpful to get me a new pad without any hassles that came with another full 3 year warranty. It is a costly item but it's totally worth it! I don't think I can ever back to a regular heating pad again. Thank you UTK for your quick response and delivery of a new one. It took less than a week to resolve the issue, and I found that even in that short time I really missed it. I hope this one last for years to come, but I know if it happens again, I feel good knowing I have a warranty that is honored! I think that is very important.