While a massage every day sounds like an extravagant dream scenario, most of us don’t have the time or the budget. But, for the price of one or two services, you could invest in an acupressure mat, which could offer pain relief, relaxation and aid with sleep.
Acupressure mats are made up of thousands of tiny spikes. As these are sharp but do not puncture the skin, you simply need to lie, sit or stand on the mat to apply pressure. This is meant to stimulate various points in the body to release tension.
How do acupressure mats work?
“They are designed to work in a similar way to an acupressure treatment,” Asha Chong, Five Element Acupuncturist, explains. “When pressure is applied to certain acupressure points on the body – think the back, legs, hands or feet - blocked energy is released, tension is relieved and energy and blood flow freely. Unlike acupuncture, which involves inserting very fine needles into points, acupressure mats apply non-invasive pressure to the body. The acupressure stimulation addresses the total area compared to a targeted acupuncture treatment. The spikes trigger the points, releasing endorphins which alleviate pain, help the body and mind to relax or energise the body.”
What are the benefits?
It might take a little time to get used to the acupressure mat. Most recommend starting out with a thin t-shirt and building up the amount of time you spend on the mat, eventually trying it on bare skin.
While it might initially feel slightly painful or unusual, you should get acclimated to the feeling and start to notice the benefits.
“‘When you lie on the acupressure mat, gentle pressure on the acupressure points on your back stimulate the release of endorphins, giving you a sense of calm, relaxation and wellness, with a boost of energy,” Chantal Nogbou, from Dragonfly Acupuncture Leeds, says. “It’s a perfect self-care tool to help you slow down at the end of a busy day, or even during the day when you need to feel that sense of peace and calm.”
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White Lotus memory foam acupressure mat and pillow
White Lotus claims its mat has been created by acupuncturists and is completely handmade in Europe without the use of glue or allergenic dyes. The acupressure mat itself is thick memory foam, while the cover is made from durable cotton.
Rather than the round pillow most brands sell, White Lotus has developed a larger, curved pillow that helped to support both my head and neck and felt much more comfortable to lie on for longer periods of time.
The mat has Velcro strips attached which means it can be rolled up for easy storage, without the use of a separate carry bag. The straps can also be used to wrap the mat around your arms or legs for targeted treatment on those areas. The only downside of the larger pillow is that it can’t be rolled neatly inside the mat.
Buy now £144.55, eBay
Bed of Nails mat and pillow
Each BON acupressure mat has 10,962 spikes, with 261 plates containing 42 each, rather than 25 like most mats. This means the mat can stimulate more points with less pressure, which the brand claims helps to make the experience more invigorating and less painful.
The brand focuses on using non-toxic plastic and 100 per cent organic fabric so the nails go straight onto the skin. Each plate is melted onto a cotton cover so glue is not required. The mat itself is made of PU foam.
The pillow can be wrapped inside the mat and stored in the carry case provided with the set.
Buy now £70.00, Amazon
Yogi Bare acupressure set
Famous for its yoga range, Yogi Bare branched into acupressure mats as founder Kat Pither says they are a “wonderful compliment to meditation and yoga practice”. She recommends positioning your legs against a wall and dropping a few drops of geranium oil onto the mat to really aid relaxation.
Each mat has 210 spikes with rounded tips which aim to help with sleep, pain and energy levels, and it comes with both a pillow and a 100 per cent cotton carry case with a long strap. There are also poppers at the top and bottom of the mat and handles so it is easy to transport even without the bag.
Buy now £54.95, Amazon
Shakti Premium Acupressure Mat
Handmade in India, Shakti pays all employees a fair living wage as well as provides an emergency medical fund and investment in the education of their children. Each one comes with a label featuring the name of the person who made the mat and a QR code you can scan to see more of the process.
The Shakti acupressure mat claims to be longer than most on the market for maximum body reach. The spikes are clipped on to avoid the use of glue and are described as “everlasting” so the mat should stand the test of time. The mat also comes in a light version for beginners and advanced for those who are more experienced with acupuncture.
Buy now £59.00, Amazon
PRO 11 Wellbeing Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set with Carry Bag
Support small businesses and bag yourself an acupressure mat by PRO 11 Wellbeing. Available in a sleek aubergine hue, the set comes with a pillow and carry bag for effortless portability. The set is covered in small plastic spikes that mirror the effect of acupressure needles and is designed to combat stress, aches, pains and muscle tension.
It further aids blood circulation and can improve sleep quality: an all-round tension reliever for those in need of some at-home rest and respite.
Buy now £22.49, Amazon
Thermomag Mysa Mat
For those looking for an acupressure mat that does just that little bit more, the Thermomag by Mysa is a Swedish invention crafted from organic vegetable fibres for a sumptuous, natural and firm acupressure experience. Employing both heat and biomagnet therapy, the Thermomag takes an entirely holistic approach to acupressure to target pain and discomfort throughout the body.
Buy now £134.00, Amazon
WTHN Acupressure Mat Set
A rather chic acupressure set which is realised in an attractive heather grey hue with teal blue spikes, this option has been crafted from high-quality linen and filled to the brim with luxurious coconut fibre.
Buy now £77.00, Healf
Verdict
The White Lotus is the best acupressure mat with durable cover, thick padding and plenty of spikes. The larger pillow is more supportive and the built-in velcro straps makes it easy to tuck away or use on different areas of your body.
