Get cold feet quickly for people is the optimal heating carpet! Switching, less than 1 minute wait, and then it will be warm. But only as long as the feet in contact with the heating mat. And the thing is real power. Even with slippers, it goes through! With active heating carpet tingling of a very special kind in the legs occurs. It's a different way than you are used to, because the tingling and warmth associated seem to come from the bones. Weird but pleasant!
Infrared radiation is nunmal no heat radiation like a normal heating :)
Whether the good for rheumatism? I am not a doctor, but I would say yes! But ask Just your doctor or pharmacist if you want to know for sure :)