Heating pads are made specifically for the relief of pain. They ease tight muscles and control muscle spasms, by triggering reflex physical reactions in the body. Once the heating pads are applied they provide heat which increases blood flow to the area thus reducing stiffness.

Heating pads used in the microwave are sometimes made of flannel and filled with grain such as barley, rice, wheat or buckwheat hulls. For use:  Heat in the microwave for between one and three minutes. These bags can be made and filled at home.

Heating pads that use a chemical fill like sodium acetate: A piece of metal is embedded in the supersaturated chemical. When this metal is pressed the chemical reacts causing a crystallisation process resulting in instant heat. Before next use boil the pad in water, this process makes the heating pads ready for re-saturation and allows the crystallisation to begin again when the metal piece is pressed.  Note: After boiling in water, allow the heating pad to cool to room temperature before reusing. .

The electric heating pads are very popular. These house an inner coil. This coil heats up when the   electric heating pad is plugged into to an electrical socket. The casing of these heating pads is made of sturdy, removable, and washable  material. They provide an even amount of heat throughout the pad. Care must be taken, as accidents such as burns and other injuries have been know to happen with these heating pads.

The oldest and most well known heating pads are hot water bottles. These soft rubber bottles filled with boiling water and then closed with a stopper that seals the bottle. They are normally covered with flannel, fleece, faux fur or knitted covers.

During cold winters heating pads are very popular, for the heat alone, on winter nights.