Bed Buddy Microwavable Heating Pad and Cooling Back Wrap, Comfort Wrap Back, Microwavable for Moist Heat Therapy and Freezable for Cooling Therapy, Cold Pack for Back Pain, Rice Bags for Heat Therapy

First of all let me say that this is one of my favorite purchases in a long time.I'm not sure why I waited so long to buy one of these. I guess it was because I didn't know it existed. I'm so glad that I discovered it. It was a "gift to myself." It just keeps on giving and giving. I suffer from chronic health issues that bring pain and stiffness to various parts of my body. The bed buddy is a god-send. It is living up to it's name as I've taken it to bed with me every night since it arrived.And let me say, that I was concerned that it might have an odor generally or when heated. It doesn't. I'm so glad because I have a sensitive sense of smell.For over 15 years I've been using another product in the Carex line. I'd noticed in recent days that even though it still warms without issue it sags so much when I put it around my neck that it's no longer doing it's job.I love being able to put this in the microwave for a minute and a half or two and then either drape it around my shoulders, put it around my waist (the velcro comes in handy) or lie down on it. It gives moist heat that is soothing. It's generous size of 23" x 16.5" makes it suitable for larger areas. And although it is large I don't find it to feel heavy when I walk around with it on.You'll want to experiment with your microwave and be sure not to overheat this. I'd say that less is more. Start with what is directed on the small tag and throw it back in if it doesn't feel warm enough.Here is what is on the tag:There are a few cautions on the label:-Microwave heating times vary--DO NOT overheat-DO NOT use convection function of your microwave oven-Always heat on clean empty microwave safe dish. Lay flat and distribute contents of Bed Buddy evenly lengthwise-Microwave Bed Buddy for 1 minutes and 15 seconds at standard power-DO NOT leave Bed Buddy unattended while heating-Always touch-test by shifting contents to check for hot spots before use-If higher heat is required, continue microwaving in 15 second intervals-repeat above-DO NOT exceed 2 minutes total heating time-Contamination by food or liquids can cause overheating resulting in burns to the skin-Continually shift the position of the Bed Buddy when in use-NEVER place a heated Bed Buddy over the eyes-Never wash this Bed Buddy product. Wipe with a damp cloth only and let dry thoroughlyDO NOT use this product on persons with nerve damage, circulatory problems, sensitive skin, or with damage or broken skin, or on persons unable to remove this product such as infants, children, and some older personsI haven't tried the cold feature. According to the box you can put this in the freezer overnight and use it as a cooling wrap. I have gel packs that work well for that so I'll probably use this exclusively for heat.I would have liked for this to have come with a casing of some kind so that if it gets dirty I can wash the cover. It didn't, and I suspect that is due to the shape and size. No problem, I can throw it in a microfiber pillow case if needed, and I intend to ask a family member who sews to make a little thin cover for it.We just recently replaced a moist heating pad for one of my close relatives because her's had burned up. Fortunately no one was hurt and nothing was damaged. The new heating pad was nearly twice as expensive as this and doesn't allow all that much more coverage. Plus it didn't have a cover either. So dollar for dollar, I feel that this is a better deal.I suspect that we'll need a second one of these as my husband immediately wanted to try it when I warmed it up the first time. He loved how it felt!

Good product at a fair price.

I like everything about this great product, warms up good,exceptIt stinksSmells like wet straw. It eventually subsided though.

Wow! Heat or cold your choice. I love that I can still comfortably cook and be mobile thanks to the velcro straps Ideal for use on my lower back. It was sweet relief for some stomach cramps when warm and really helped my husbands swollen knee when cold. Neck pain, shoulder pain and no cumbersome plugs or hard cords.I only wish I knew about Bed Buddy a long time ago. And more good news is I have a perfect gift idea for friends and family.

I've been using the Bed Buddy products in various sizes on a daily basis for the last 3.5 years, as I have chronic pain. This one just got a hole burned right through it, even though I followed the heating directions! I'm having a replacement sent to me to try again, but I have read where other viewers say that this happened to them as well. I'll update this review once I've used the new one for a while. Since mine got burned at the narrow end, I'm guessing that it heats unevenly, so in order to get the large part heated enough the narrow ends would get too hot!On another note - I would have given this product only 3 stars even if this hadn't happened. As some others said in their reviews, the wrap is not as large as it looks on the website, and when I held the product up next to the picture of it on Amazon, it doesn't have the same profile lines at all. The picture on Amazon makes it look like it sits up on the neck, but it doesn't at all. It is still soothing, just not for as large an area as they make it seem. I'm only 5'4", not a large person, so it should have covered more area.** Update 1/14/14I did receive a new product and have used it for a couple weeks now. There are definitely different models of this same neck wrap out there, because the second one that I received is even smaller than the first one. Possibly some of these out there are fraudulent products? Hard to say. This is the first Bed Buddy product that has ever had a really harsh chemical smell, and the first time I used it I broke out in a rash on my neck and the underside of my jaw where I had placed the heated product.For the time being, I have tried using this daily and it helps some, however, it only stays warm for about 15 minutes, which is not as long as other Bed Buddy products that I own and use regularly, but I guess that's better than nothing. I hate to do it, but I guess I will have Amazon try sending me another one again!For heating: I have found that the reason the first one burned up at the narrow end was possible because I was folding it any which way prior to heating in the microwave. With this second item, I have made sure to fold it with the ends tucked into the middle and haven't had any problem in that regard.

Easy to use for large or small areas on your body. Retains heat well.