The Heating Pad

I have a love affair with my heating pad.  I go through them like runners go through shoes.  I use it first thing in the morning, then after my shower, then before lunch, then after lunch; basically about ten times a day.  I heat it for 2 minutes and it brings me a half hour of relief. 

I can't remember when I started using it, or where I got my first one.  I created some myself for a while, and enjoyed the creative outlet, but it ended up too hard on my back to do much sewing, so I eventually realized I would have to break down and buy them.  It's actually my microwave and heating pad that have the affair because without the microwave, my heating pad is useless, and without the heating pad, the microwave doesn't mean a thing to me. 

This may be a silly thing to you, but we all find something to help us cope with our burdens.  Maybe a cigarette or a drink helps you calm down, or for some people, it's exercise that settles their mind.  I can't drink because I take too much medication, although there are times when I long for a beer, and just the smell of one brings back a smile.  I don't smoke since I figure I have enough problems, and my husband takes care of the tobacco world well enough.  Exercise does not make me feel good, even if I could motivate my aching body to do it, and pain pills, though helpful, are not a magic solution. 

But my heating pad is my ever faithful friend.  I can put it on any part of my body that hurts, and the warmth make me feel better-whether on my knee, my back, my neck, my foot, even my stomach if needed.  Wherever the pain wants to wander, I can counter it with heat.
 
I would love to live near a swimming pool, or heated jacuzi, but I live in a small town a half hour from such luxuries.  Some day I hope to get my own hot tub, but for now I depend on the heating pad to comfort me.  It eases the stiffness and matches the pain with heat. 

I guess before microwaves they used electric heating pads, which are not so helpful, and dangerous to boot.  Before electricity, I imagine  they warmed water over the wood stove, but maybe not because it was probably considered wasteful.  So I'm thankful that I live in this age where I can get warm, lasting comfort in two minutes.  Maybe in a few years they will have something better, or shall I dream the impossible dream-a cure for Fibromyalgia???

“Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads - at the extreme opposite end of our bodies.” ― Levende Waters