I’ve often wondered why things that are designed for self-care can look like torture devices. Take, for example, the reformer Pilates bed with all its ominous-looking springs, ropes and poles.
The same thought crossed my mind as I pulled my new acupressure mat from its packaging. This mat is cushioned, slightly smaller than a regular yoga mat, and covered in hundreds of tiny plastic spikes.
The instructions told me to lay my bare torso on it for anywhere between 20 and 40 minutes before bedtime for the best results. In return, it offered relief from stress and muscle tension, as well as improved sleep.
I wasn't sure about skin-to-spike contact, so I wore a thin T-shirt. I set up my mat next to my bed and gently lowered my back and shoulders onto it. I could feel the spikes pressing into me but surprisingly it wasn't painful in the slightest.
I lay there with my eyes closed and observed the sensations: tingles and warmth at first, and then a pulsating feeling. After 20 minutes I peeled myself off the mat and honestly—I've never felt so relaxed. According to my Oura ring, I got seven hours and 52 minutes of perfect, restful sleep that night, although I tend to sleep well anyway.
The next morning, I wondered what had caused me to experience those feelings. Research revealed that the spikes are designed to target certain trigger points, much like needles do in acupuncture. The concept is derived from ancient Chinese medicine where it is believed that stimulating these points boosts blood circulation, and improves the flow of blocked or stagnant energy, called Qi.
Over the coming days, I started to treat my mat as a daily ritual—a time when I could be quiet and shut out the world. I'd show up every night before bed and tap into the same deep sense of relaxation.
To enhance the experience, I’d recommend buying an acupressure pillow to go with your mat (I opted for a set from Yogi Bare) because it provides pleasant support for your head and targets the neck area, which you'll appreciate if you hunch over a computer all day.
You can also experiment with different positions. Kat Pither, founder of Yogi Bare, told me she loves the sensation of the mat on her feet. "It stimulates the reflexology points and nerve endings resulting in an energy boost," says Pither.
Shop acupressure mats
The model our writer tried.
Reduced by 15% in Amazon Prime's Big Deals Days sale.
Reduced by 25% in Amazon's sale, but more expensive than the Gaiam model.
