Lifestyle
A Discreet New Option for a Very Common Problem: Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of those complaints that cuts across age, fitness level, and lifestyle. It shows up after long hours at a desk, after a tough workout, or after a weekend of sports that asks a lot from the hips and spine. Now, San Francisco-based Infraway LLC is aiming to make daily support and recovery easier with a wearable device designed to fit into real life—not just the clinic.
Infraway’s flagship product, the L1 Lower Back Wearable Heat Pad, combines Far Infrared (FIR) technology with topical heat to help users enhance mobility, support recovery, and warm up more effectively. The company positions the L1 as a more discreet alternative to bulkier competitor products: it’s made to be worn under clothing, on the go, and every day. The device is also app-controlled, allowing users to customize their heat and recovery experience from a smartphone. Infraway says the L1 is priced below $200, putting it in reach for consumers who want something more advanced than a basic wrap but less expensive than many premium recovery tools. More information is available at theinfraway.com.
What’s Different About Far Infrared (FIR)?
Heat therapy is a familiar tool for soreness and stiffness, but Infraway’s pitch centers on the difference between surface-level warmth and FIR’s deeper interaction with the body. FIR is described as a non-visible, longer-wavelength energyon the electromagnetic spectrum—one that the body absorbs and that can penetrate deeper than topical heat alone. In practical terms, topical heat warms the surface, while FIR is associated with a broader biological response: increased local circulation, more oxygen delivered to surrounding muscle, and faster clearance of metabolic waste.
Infraway points to research on FIR-emitting fabrics and their potential to support muscle recovery after exercise and reduce tightness—factors that can translate into improved mobility and performance. For readers who want to go deeper on the research and the company’s explanation of the mechanism, Infraway provides additional background here: theinfraway.com/pages/science.
Built From an Athlete’s Injury—and a Long Rehab Reality
Infraway was founded by Max Betkowski, a former two-sport Division I athlete who dealt with a torn hip labrum before his senior season. Betkowski played through the injury, but his recovery didn’t end when his college career did. Despite extensive rehab, he continued to experience lower back issues—an all-too-common pattern for athletes whose injuries affect movement mechanics and load distribution over time.
Drawing on a background in kinesiology and engineering, Betkowski developed Infraway in 2017. The company’s L1 Gen 2 belt launched in 2025, featuring expanded heating coverage, longer battery life, and an updated FIR fabric—positioned as an evolution informed by newer scientific research and product iteration.
Why Golf (and Other Rotational Sports) Are Paying Attention
Infraway is also gaining traction in sports where the lower back takes repeated rotational stress—especially golf. Lower back pain is one of the most common issues among golfers, often linked to the torque and repeated rotation placed on the spine. Over time, that stress can contribute to muscle or ligament sprains, or even disc-related problems.
That’s part of why the product has been finding fans among golf professionals. Ryan Hitt, lead coach of the PGA America Coaching Center, said the device has become part of his routine: “Infraway has made a noticeable difference in how my body feels day to day. Whether it’s after a round of golf or a full day of coaching athletes, it helps me recover quicker and stay loose.”
The device is also used by Mats Wilander, former world No. 1 tennis player and seven-time Grand Slam champion, who described it as a daily warm-up staple—now extending into his pickleball routine. “I start every morning with this, my go-to ritual to get my day rolling, and now it’s a core part of my warm-up for pickleball. It wakes my body up, primes my muscles, and keeps me feeling flexible and ready to move,” Wilander said.
The Takeaway
Recovery tech has exploded in recent years, but many tools still require you to stop what you’re doing—lie down, plug in, or carve out time you don’t really have. Infraway’s approach is built around a simple idea: if you can wear recovery support discreetly throughout the day, you’re more likely to use it consistently. With a combination of FIR fabric, topical heat, and app-based control, the L1 is designed to meet people where lower back pain actually happens—during workdays, travel, coaching, training, and everyday movement.
To learn more about the product, visit theinfraway.com, and for the science background, see theinfraway.com/pages/science.
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