A radiant therapeutic wrist heating pad, which is not hot to the touch,
provides substantial infrared radiation to a user's wrist to alleviate
symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be used for extended periods
without feeling uncomfortable to the skin, while imparting deep
therapeutic heat to the user's wrist. The heating pad is comprised of a
radiant heat generating layer having a plane surface comprising means for
radiating heat evenly from its surface, a pair of flexible electrically
insulating and radiation permeable layers located adjacent and covering
opposite sides of the layer, a thermal insulation layer disposed against
and covering one of the electrically insulating layers, and a sealed
radiation permeable envelope enclosing the entire heater. Preferably the
flexible heat generating layer is comprised of a fiberglass material
impregnated with a resistive material, which material provides a surface
temperature, when current is conducted therethrough, which is no greater
than about 54 degrees Celsius. Current limiting thermostats are provided
to prevent energy and temperature spikes in the event that any of the
electrical components are creased or bent. A stiffening element helps
protect the electrical components, and also orients the user's hand with
respect to the forearm so as to place the wrist in a therapeutic
position.