HEALTH BENEFITS OF HEATED BLANKETS AND PADS

Roughly 25% of people who purchase electric blankets or electric mattress pads state they do so for therapeutic values. Afflictions that heated bedding can help include:

·        Arthritis and fibromyalgia

·        Muscle soreness and aches including back pain

·        Poor sleeping

·        Flexibility and range of motion

·        Tension

·        Allergies

·        Post-polio syndrome,

·        Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

 

ARTHRITIS AND FIBROMYALGIA BENEFITS

Approximately 43 million people in the United States alone suffer from at least some arthritis. Electric mattress pads especially have been found to help provide some relief from the associated pains.

The Arthritis Helpbook authored by Kate Loring and James Fries and recommended by the Arthritis Foundation and the Arthritis Society states “Heat is most effective for reducing the pain associated with muscle tension and stiffness, and when there is little or no inflammation. It works by increasing the blood flow to the skin and muscles around the painful area. This, in turn, enhances muscle nutrition and relaxation. When the muscles relax, pain and stiffness decrease…. Warm baths, showers, a hot tub, sauna, or an electric mattress pad are good ways to help soothe the whole body; these methods may be particularly beneficial for the person with fibromyalgia.” (cf. page 241, “Pain Management” of the 5th edition)

Also from the same source: “Heated waterbeds or airbeds are helpful to some people with arthritis….An electric blanket, used at a low heat, is another effective way of providing heat while sleeping, especially for cool or damp nights. Or you might try an electric or wool mattress pad.” (cf. page 245, “Getting a good night’s sleep”).

The book Arthritis 101, an official publication of the Arthritis Foundation, states “Use an electric blanket or mattress pad. Turn it up before you get out of bed to combat morning stiffness.” (cf. page 53, “Other Treatments for Arthritis”)

 

MUSCLE SORENESS AND ACHES INCLUDING BACK PAIN

Heat has long been used to reduce the pain associated with muscle soreness and aches. An electric blanket or more so an electric mattress pad since muscles are in direct contact provides a low level heat for many hours which can reduce muscle aches and increase blood flow. Muscles will tend to relax, losing their tightness and strain. Freedom of movement will tend to be restored. Pain will tend to be reduced via the better blood flow.

 

FLEXIBILITY AND RANGE OF MOTION:

You can increase your flexibility and range of motion by using a warming mattress pad or blanket for the same reasons as you can relieve muscle soreness.

 

BETTER SLEEP IN A COLD ROOM

Most sleep researchers believe that sleeping in a moderately cool room helps one to sleep better. With an electric blanket or electric mattress pad, you can turn your house furnace thermostat down not only saving energy but also gaining a cooler sleep environment. Yet you can still stay warm and cozy without the extra weight of added blankets.

And when two people share a bed and one is warmer natured than the other, an electric blanket or an electric mattress pad with two individual controls is the ideal solution. Most Queen or King sized electric blankets or electric mattress pads come with “dual controls” which allow each person to set his or her own comfort level. (Tip: If you have a Full or Double size bed, you too can have this dual control feature simply by purchasing a Queen Size automatic blanket (NOT a fitted mattress pad) which will be slightly oversize but should present no problem as long as you are careful not to bunch up the excess.)

 

TENSION

Try a warming pad or blanket for a few nights and notice how its gentle all-night warmth soothes you.

 

ALLERGIES AND DUST MITES

Mites love humidity. The moisture that a mattress can contain plus the skin and hair shed by the body makes for a perfect breeding ground for dust mites. Dust mites trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Various university studies around the world have confirmed that using an electric blanket or electric mattress pad for only one month can reduce dust mites by up to 50% through humidity reduction.

 

POST-POLIO SYNDROME BENEFITS

In addition to helping manage fatigue by assisting in obtaining a better night’s rest, a warming blanket or warming mattress pad is helpful in alleviating the cold intolerance often experienced by PPS patients.

 

REYNAUD’S PHENOMENON

An automatic blanket or mattress pad can most certainly be adjusted to keep your body warm during the night including pre-warming the bed so that you do not have to enter a cold bed and wait for your body heat to warm the bedcovers.