Far Infrared Therapeutic Pad

Very pleased with this device Wonderful little control device can switch between mode ,change temperature etc all while using withsimple button push This works as a great compliment to the near IR led device for treating chronic lingering and recurring shoulder bursitis Cord could be a little longerThe deeper penetrating far infrared gives great relief in the large fleshy areas of the lower triceps'/biceps and forearm joint and a very soothing warmth over the area of shoulder to triceps joint/rotor The near IR LED device which the energy absorbs in a smaller more dense conversion works better on the more bony areas such as the upper rear deltoid and joint area where there is still pain Especially helpful on rotor joint and back blade and removes what remains well after general soothing relaxation with far IR pad It(led device) is still a little inconvenient to use (not your issue)I use the far IR pad for 30-45 minutes 3 times a day or more than treat areas in upper area still sore and stiff with the LED near IR device 10 min or so over sore areaI am getting progressive improvement now The far IR pad is particularly useful upon waking when (assume) rolling over etc on arm results in much stiffness and pain on shoulder motion when getting upNeither far or near infrared produce any kind of ionization in tissue Ionization is produced by resonance photon capture with higher energy electromagnetic energy short wave UV ,X rays or extreme thermal energy to dislodge electrons (plasma) but that would be lethal in human organismNear infrared produces heat by resonance photon capture converted to thermal molecular vibration Far infrared produces heat by a resonance effect on the dipole of the water molecular producing a mechanical rotary force which causes the entire water molecule to rotate as a unit the hydrogen atoms around the focal point of the oxygen the same way that short wave microwaves heat water The rotary motion of water molecule presumably coverts to thermal vibration when the spinning water molecules collide This is not to be confused with rotation of individual atoms around a chemical bond between them though that might be involved in the conversion t thermal vibration It has absolutely nothing to do with rotation of polarized light in a Polari meter instrument as in stereo chemistry and chirality etc ie D and L sugars ,amino acids etcI would guess without knowing that the rotational resonance requires alignment restriction of the water dipole which is way the far IR is more penetration is absorbed slowly absorbed as it passes through the tissue Water molecule is semi planar The near IR electron excitation is likely less restrictive on angle as the electron clouds is dispersed over the whole atomSuggest you consult physicist or someone who knows what they're taking about with these affairs

I've spent a ton of money on getting treatments for chronic and acute pain...back, neck, and more....this infrared heating pad has been by far the best money spent. Sorry to focus on the money aspect of it but after all the co-payments, outright out of pocket expenses, products, meds, supplements, etc I've bought to alleviate my pain, it's nice to buy something that works well at a reasonable price. I cannot recommend this product highly enough. I use it daily and it definitely helps.**update, four years later. I still use this same FIR pad I purchased four years ago and still love it. but I did notice on many of the reviews that folks don't like it as a heating pad and I understand their concerns, if you are looking for a heating pad, this is not the item to purchase because it has a very subtle heat to it, it's not a high heat pad which is exactly why I like it. I'm not quite sure why it works but I put it on a longer timed setting and let it work it's magic. It seems to always subtly relax the area (especially my neck, shoulders, back).The other point of concern is the quality and I do believe that with a variety of sellers, the quality can vary. The one I received has worked consistently for four years. I'm not at all sure, this is what is being shipped. When I wrote the initial review, it was in 2012 not long after I received and started using the product and I still love mine today. I do wish there was a way to assure consistency and I personally have had no issues with Amazon doing the right thing when I receive defective or "dud" products, so hopefully those unhappy will give Amazon customer service an opportunity to resolve it. That said, if you are looking for a good old fashioned heating pad, I agree with those who said, go to Walmart or Target or even online and look specifically for a heating pad, not the FIR Therapeutic Pad. I truly hope this helps clarify some of the concerns. Best wishes, J

This is a fairly decent heating pad. I do love that the cover has velcro straps so that you can wrap it around your torso, etc. and that it easily removes for washing. The problem is that the heating pad itself is ultra thin and when leaned on at all seems to warp and wrap onto itself, suctioning itself into a wad. I finally had to pop some pinholes into the outer casing to let some air in so that it would relax and lay flat. After much effort I did get it flat again, but every time its used it wads up and must be flattened out again. Maybe its that an infrared heating pad must be made this way, but it is way different from traditional heating pads that can be laid on with no problem. I do think that this one actually says something on the included literature to the effect that it is not to be laid on, but rather wrapped around whatever you are trying to heat, which is entirely impractical most of the time!Also, the heat setting/timer mode is weird and on and off button refuses to work unless pad is entirely unplugged from the outlet, replugged, and then turned on. Some sort of safety issue to prevent using it longer than recommended possibly.On the positive side, it heats up beautifully and provides a wonderful warmth that leaves my back feeling pain free and loose for a while.