Most people use electric blankets for preventing themselves from getting frozen on winter nights.

But lots of people have questions like “Can electric blankets cause joint pain”?

Especially this question is asked by elderly or senior people, so is it true?

Yes, Electric Blankets can cause joint pain and worse the problems like arthritis and body pain issues.

According to the Wellness medicines, two cases of crippling arthritis were cured when the patient discontinued the use of electric blankets.

In this article, we will discuss how an electric or heated blanket can cause joint pain or neuropathy and how you can prevent that and safely use electric blankets.

Let’s get started.

Table Of Contents

Electric Blankets And Joint Pain (What’s the Connection)

some people who just don’t know anything about electric blankets and how it can affect our health still believe that there is no connection between electric blankets and joint pain.

But they are wrong because electrical blankets can create joint pain in elderly people and if any person has any arthritis or body pain problems then electric blankets can make things worse.

When you use electric blankets regularly they it passes current through the nerves of your body to keep you warm.

And when the current pass through the nerves of your body then it can increase the chances of nerve damage from electric blankets.

Nerve damage can lead to leg pain or joint pain.

Know more: can electric blankets cause leg pain?

Can Electric Blankets Cause Joint Pain?

Yes, electric blankets can cause joint pain especially if you have diabetes, poor blood circulation, low or high blood pressure, and body pain issues.

Most elderly people have body pain or joint pain issues and when they use electric blankets to keep them warm then it may lead to worsening the situation.

Because once they start using electric or heated blankets regularly the current from electric blankets passes through the nerves of their legs and joints.

When that happens then the chances of nerve damage can be high which may lead to joint pain or leg pain.

And a lot of theories and experiments are done by scientists on electric blankets and how they can be dangerous for arthritis or joint pain.

You must avoid heated or electric blankets if you have any of these problems.

Reasons Why Heated Blankets Cause Joint Pain

There are lots of reasons why your heated or electric blankets can cause joint pain in some people.

But here are some common reasons why your electric blanket can cause joint pain.

Reason 1: Neuropathy and Peripheral Nerve Damage

When any person with diabetes, arthritis, or poor blood circulation uses electric blankets then it can cause neuropathy which leads to peripheral nerve damage.

And when it happens the nerves in your legs and joints can start painting.

In these conditions, you can’t even detect overheating on electric blankets which is very dangerous.

Because your electric blankets may catch fire if you don’t sense the overheating and turn off the plug.

There are thousands of accidents happened because of this problem.

So if you have diabetes or low blood circulation then you must avoid electric blankets.

Reason 2: Muscle Pain & Blood Vessel Pain From Overheating

When you have neuropathy because the current can pass through your nerves of the body then you can’t sense the overheating in your electric blankets.

And overheating in electric blankets is the main reason that can cause the muscle in your body to tense up including joints and legs.

The heat from the electric or heated blankets can cause muscle spasms, this condition happens when muscles constantly contract and begin to cramp up and causing joint pain or leg pain.

Reason 3: Electric Blankets can make Arthritis worse

Arthritis problem is common in elderly people and when they use electric blankets then the current can pass through the nerves of the leg which can make arthritis worse.

The electric blankets themselves do not cause joint pain until and unless you have health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, poor blood circulation, and all.

Reason 4: Increasing Blood Flow Can Cause Joint Pain

When you use electric blankets then the heat from the electric or heated blankets may raise the temperature of your body which can increase the blood flow,

And increasing blood flow in your legs and joints can be discomforting for lots of people.

And warm blankets or overheating can create pressure points in your joints which may lead to pain in the joints.

So basically you need to stay away from electric blankets.

How to Prevent Joint Pain and Safety Use Electric Blankets?

Before I tell you some ways to prevent joint pain from electric blankets, make sure you don’t use electric blankets if you have arthritis, low or high blood pressure, diabetes, or poor blood circulation.

Only use electric blankets if you are fit and fine.

  • Replace the electric blankets if they are damaged or have holes in them.
  • Do not use electric blankets for more than 60 minutes to prevent the electric blankets from overheating.
  • Do not fold or bunch up electric or heated blankets.
  • Do not put anything on top of the electric blankets.
  • Do not use electric blankets for camping and avoid water coming in contact with an electric blanket.
  • Use automatic electronic blankets which automatically turn off after some time.
  • Do not go to sleep with electric blankets turned on.
  • Gradually increase the temperature of the electric blanket do not increase the temperature suddenly.

Why is My Electric Blanket Causing Joint Pain?

There are many reasons why your electric blanket or heated blanket causes you joint pain but the heat from the electric blanket and the current that passes through the nerves of your body are the main reason why you are having joint pain with an electric blanket.

And do not use electric blankets if you already have joint or leg pain issues.

You can avoid using an electric blanket to check whether the electric blankets are the main cause or something else.

Consult your doctor before doing anything.