Can diabetics use heating pads?

I just dealt with a severe back pull last week and wanted to use a heating pad. My physiotherapist warned me to be very careful because of my diabetes. I used it on low heat for only 10 minutes at a time and it really helped, just don't keep it on for too long.

I barely sleep 5 hours a night because of back aches, and I used to just lie on the heating pad and fall asleep. My doctor scolded me saying that is a huge risk for diabetics because you can get silent burns while asleep. Now I use a timer that shuts it off automatically.

Instead of relying too much on heating pads for muscle soreness, try dynamic stretching and maintaining a clean diet to reduce inflammation. If you do use a heating pad, keep the session short and make sure you aren't numb in that area due to nerve issues.

My doctor explained that diabetic neuropathy reduces the skin's ability to sense extreme temperatures. If you must use a heating pad, never apply it directly to bare skin and keep it strictly on the low setting. Avoid using it on areas with poor circulation or active insulin injection sites.

I get terrible cramps and sometimes use a heating pad, but since my sugar levels run high, I always double check the temperature with my hands first. If you have any nerve numbness in your stomach or back, it is better to avoid it and use a warm water bottle instead.