Thermotex Universal Platinum Radiant Energy Pain Relief Heating Pad - 17" X 1...

I have very stubborn issues with plantar fasciitis that defy my attempts to lessen the irritation. I've been using this far infrared heating pad for a few weeks now and it's really helped. The heat it generates is at first subtle and then grows quite warm over time. I can tell this is really far infrared due to the fact that the heat felt is more on the inside of my foot than on the outside. A short time with this pad does a great job treating the underlying irritation of the fascia. I was surprised at the quality of this pad and the strength of it. The one thing to understand about it is that it consists of three separate FIR panels connected together inside of a very nice fabric shell. While this does give the pad some flexibility, the three panels are of course rigid. You can, for instance, wrap this around a leg or even an arm successfully but if you need to treat a smaller area, you'll have to work at positioning it correctly on one of the emitters. FIR devices have a ways to go before they become small enough to be both effective and flexible, but for now this Thermotex unit is not only the the best I've found but is much more than I expected.

I have a back overuse injury that I need fixed ASAP, so I tried this heating pad (Platinum version). While the pad isn't large enough to warm my entire back, my injury is mostly in my mid back. So, it works, but It would have been nice to get my lower back at the same time. After reading reviews, I was hesitant about the level of heat that this pad would provide. But the heat is enough for me. It penetrates and raises my core temperature. When used for the duration in the instructions, I start to sweat. The strap fits around my chair and can hold it in place at the correct height. The instructions suggest using it a few times per day. With a warmup time around 15 minutes, and around 45 minutes per session, the time can add up quickly. But if i am going to be working at my desk anyway, it is fine. I paired heat therapy with strengthening and mobility exercises, and it does seem to work well. Cons: - price - slow warmup time of about 10-15 minutes - smallish size Pros: - penetrating heat - improved blood flow - moderate pain relief - easy to position using straps

Been using the Thermotex Far Infrared Heating Pad – Platinum for a little over a year. During that year my wife and I have switching between a handmade pad filled with rice that you heat in the microwave, a generic $30 electric heating pad from Walgreens, and this Thermotex. The Termotex is by far our least favorite. It has several problems: 1: It takes a long time to warm up, about 10-15 minutes. 2: It is uncomfortable and not very form fitting. It’s made up of three plastic panels wired together. Each panal is inserted into a pouch in the cover. Each panal is very ridged. The cloth cover can fold in two places, so it can fold around a straight limb. But if you have a spot on the side of your neck, or the top of your shoulder it will not be flexible enough to reach it. 3: It gives very little perceived heat. And there is no low/med/high. Just on/off. Just to note, it uses 14 watts. 4: The manufactures says not to lay on it or it can be damaged. 5: The heat feels no different than any of the other pads we have. Except that it’s not much heat at all. Thermotex markets it as such: “After just 20 minutes of use, the soothing infrared wavelengths penetrate up to 2.36 inches into the applied area.” I believe some infrared might make it through the black cover. But I can feel the cover getting warm, and when I press into the pad I feel more heat. That makes it seem that a lot of the power is just going to heating the pad up, and not emitting infrared light. 6: The heat is very mild. You can hardly feel the heat. I would often check the power switch to make sure I didn’t flip it off. Unfortunately it was always still on. The best way I can describe the heat is when you are up and walking about and you steal your wife’s seat while she goes to get something, it’s that kinda warm, and it’s gone in 30 seconds to a minute. It is not the kinda warm like: I feel like an icepick is lodged in my back and I need the closest thing to burning me to dull the pain for 2 minutes to loosen me up. If you need this kind of quick relief take an old sock and fill it halfway with rice, tie the open end up and microwave it to your desired heat and lay it on/lay on it for 1-2 minutes. Be carful to not burn yourself. Cost is only an old sock, 50 cents of rice, and the power to the microwave. 7: My wife and I don’t find any relief from the Thermotex. Our other pads do a much better job of wrapping around and heating the affected area. 8: It is expensive! I’m no stranger to paying for a premium product. But I expect a premium product to be user friendly, comfortable, and most importantly: work! We found it did not do any of these. I thought it might have a longer lasting affect for deep tissue or bone/joint pain. I’ve had those kind of injuries or pain 3-4 times. Each time I used the Thermotex for multiple days. I feel it caused more discomfort and problems trying to use it then if I had nothing. If I didn’t use it I at least would have been comfortable and been able to relax the whole time. Instead I struggled to get it in the right spot, I was uncomfortable, and I felt no relief. My condition improved once I gave up with the Thermotex pad, took Ibuprofen, stretched, and did mobility exercises for the same period of time as using the pad. Felt much better after that. All that to say, it doesn’t work well and is not worth the money.

My husband uses the pad for his feet for peripheral neuropathy. So far it has eased the feeling of extreme coldness in his feet, even though they were warm to the touch. He uses it twice a day, 30 minutes per foot. Seems well made and is helping, but quite costly. Would recommend if you have tried other interventions and they do not work.

WHY I PURCHASED IT The Thermotex Far Infrared Premium Heating Pad - Platinum has been a vital part of my recovery from an initially debilitating bout with Spondylolisthesis four years ago. I was diagnosed following a car accident. The lower back pain was excruciating... sciatica shooting from hip to toes, shoulder and neck pain, even leaky gut symptoms. My life felt miserable. I prayed for guidance and asked God to show me a natural path to healing instead of relying on all the medication my doctor prescribed. That’s when I found: - Bob & Brad (YouTube Physical Therapists): Brad had the same diagnosis and recommended the Thermotex Far Infrared Premium Heating Pad - Platinum. Bob has since passed away... may his soul rest in peace. - Stuart McGill’s book The Back Mechanic: While not specific to spondylolisthesis, it gave me vital insights into back hygiene and the importance of walking daily. - Pahla B and yes2next YouTube channels: Their pain-sensitive, low-impact workouts (yes, even as a man I had to swallow my pride and start very light!) kept me moving safely. ---------- MY RECOVERY JOURNEY Within weeks of using the Thermotex on my lower back for 30 minutes at a time, several times a day, along with very light exercise and a whole foods diet (that helped with inflammation), I started to feel hope. Mentally, I was finally fighting instead of just suffering. Physically, I noticed steady improvements from the infrared heat: - Better circulation and a little more mobility. - Reduced pain, allowing me to increase exercise little by little. - Over time, I regained strength and mobility. Fast forward 4 years: Thank God, I can now jog, jump, and do full calisthenics workouts (push-ups, pull-ups, squats, lunges, etc.). This heating pad played an important physical role in that journey. Even today, I use it whenever I overdo things or just need to relax tense muscles. ---------- WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT 1) Design/Detachable Long Cord - A fantastic feature. I can move around without removing the pad, and if I need to go beyond the cord’s reach, I simply detach it while leaving the pad strapped to my body. In my apartment, I can go from my office space into the adjoining kitchen without detaching the cord. 2) Straps & Fit - Customer service impressed me right after purchase. I emailed asking for an additional extra-long strap, and they sent it quickly, free of charge. With two long straps, I can wear the unit like a backpack, which is amazing for upper back and neck pain or relaxation while working at my desk. 3) Durability - The inner pads aren’t pillow-soft, but I see that as a positive. They’ve kept the pad sturdy all these years. The outer velvet-like covering is still soft, and despite daily use (99% of the time with a shirt on), I’ve never needed to wash it. No smell, no major wear. 4) Safe & Comfortable - Sometimes I use it for 30 minutes or more because it’s simply relaxing, not just therapeutic. It has never burned my skin. Not having a timer is not an issue for me. The only “issue” is that the green status light doesn’t always display, but it hasn’t affected performance at all. All three retractable heating sections still deliver the same deep heat they did on day one. ---------- MORE THAN BACK PAIN RELIEF Stomach issues: - When I overdo it with the fork and feel bloated, this pad on my stomach for about 30 minutes provides relief. - My daughter also uses it on her stomach for relief during her cycle. ---------- FINAL THOUGHTS If you’re considering this for back pain, recovery, or even general muscle relief, it won’t be a magic cure on its own. But as part of a holistic recovery plan, it can be life-changing. It was for me. At 46, I don’t have the back of an 18-year-old, but I’m thankful to God that it’s much better than it was 4 years ago. I’m able to live normally and stay active. There’s no question in my mind that this product was a key part of my healing journey. Thank you to the company for making a great product that truly helps people through tough challenges. And to anyone considering it... be patient, stay consistent, and focus on what you can do, even if it feels small at first. Healing is rarely an overnight process; it’s a journey made up of steady steps forward. For me, this pad became one of the best investments I made along that journey.