Two months ago I purchased a Therasage Far Infared Heating Pad from Amazon.  Before I started using it my back would go out about once a month and I would be disabled for a few days while it slowly released the tension.  I’ve been to many health care practitioners over the years, but no one could offer a long term solution.  The muscle that would pull is deep in my gluts (butt muscles) but the when it “pulled” the entire lower back and psoas would freeze.

The situation was really frustrating me.  It really limited my ability to work in the garden like I loved.  Squatting to weed was the activity that triggered it most.  In addition, I had started doing Lomi Lomi massage and the stretching involved was leading my lower back and sacrum to feel extremely sore and tight.  However, I knew that there was something under all this physical exercise, since many people exercise without problems and I used to work the same amount without my back freezing up.

I finally realized that the issue was probably related to the chronic tension I hold from trauma experienced as a child. I have done a lot of clearing of my body memories with ThetaHealing, however I have yet to located the memory that keeps my right side under constant tension. The part of my back that tended to go out was deep in the right glut.  This was a missing piece for me.  I knew that my problem would be resolved when I cleared the connected trauma, but I needed something to take care of the problem in the meantime.

I noticed that the tension was relieved by heat, especially the heat from infrared saunas.  I had been using the one at work with some relief.  However, saunas are expensive and not very portable. Being a vagabond I needed a better solution.  Regular heating pads helped, but I was reluctant to use them except in an emergency, since I did not want exposure to extra electomagnetic fields.  I had tried infared heating pads before but no consistently so wasn’t sure if they were helpful.

I make a commitment to spend cash gifts on things that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself.  So, when my birthday money showed up I decided that a infared heating pad was what I wanted.  An Amethyst BioMat was the one I tried before.  However, the price ticket was a little high at about $650.  I searched around and read various reviews.  I like the idea of amethyst crystals, but opted for a Therasage mat that was a third of the price and made with Jade.  I was really just looking for EMF shielded heat.  The healing properties of jade, the negative ion therapy, and even the infared heat were all just bonuses.

Of course, the infared heat is considered the most important aspect to the people selling the mats and to most buyers.  Why far infared heat?  Infared heat penetrates deeper into the body than regular heat.  This means that that deep muscle in my glut has a better chance of being relaxed and warmed by the heating pad.

Why negative ion therapy?  To quote WebMD:

Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy…

In fact, Columbia University studies of people with winter and chronic depression show that negative ion generators relieve depression as much as antidepressants.

And guess what? Negative ions are destroyed by air conditioners!  Maybe this is another solution to my Phoenix, Arizona Seasonal Affect Disorder.

My results with the Therasage Heating Pad?  Well, it changed my life.  I can garden, dig, massage and my back won’t go out.  I’ve tested it.  I’ve overdone it.  I’ve even felt that little muscle that seemed to be the keystone of my back go out and the rest of my back just stayed fluid.  Indeed, I just came in from swinging the pick on a 100 foot trench I am digging.  No problem.

I use the pad everyday.  In the morning I use it for 20 to 60 minutes while I am meditating. In the evening, especially after work I like to get another 10 to 20 minutes.  I started with a medium size pad and after a month I bought a body sized pad as well.  The medium lists for $250, but you can get it cheaper on Amazon (See links below.  If you use the links to buy it will help support TESLI)  The body size lists for $595, buy I picked up an Amazon open box for $150 less.  That is a good way to get a deal.  When you go to order, check for an open box option.

I also like the pad better than the more expensive one I tried.  It is lighter, more flexible and you can actually see and touch the jade stones.  Thumbs up on the Therasage!  The product is well made and you can set a timer to have it stay on for up to 90 minutes and you can also adjust the heat from barely warm to smoking hot.  It is comfortable.  You could sleep on it…

Is it good for other things besides back pain?  Yes!  It is good for any condition that would be benefited by heat and negative ion therapy. Here is a possible list.  You can also read reviews on Amazon to see how well this is working for people.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Back pain
• Bursitis
• Cancer (immune system stimulation)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Circulation problems
• Constipation
• Contractures
• Crohn’s Disease
• Detoxification
• Dupuytren’s Contracture
• Fibromyalgia
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Hemorrhoids
• Hip pain
• Hypertension
• Immune system stimulation
• Inflammation
• Lactic acid build-up
• Lyme Disease
• Menstrual cramps
• Multiple Schlerosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Repetitive Strain Injury
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Sciatica
• Shoulder problems
• Sinus problems
• Spastic bowel
• Sprains and Strains
• Tendonitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Tension / Stress
• TMJ