Feel the pressure

Would you lie on a bed of spikes in the name of wellness?

For thousands of years, spiritual gurus lay on beds of nails for the mental and physical benefits. Thanks to this modern recreation, known as an acupressure mat, you can have a similar – and safer! – experience at home. Simone Engels, brand and content manager at Shakti Mats, explains...

WHAT IS AN ACUPRESSURE MAT?

“Each acupressure mat is covered in hundreds of spikes, which when applied to the body, exert pressure on the skin and muscles,” Simone explains. This is not some kind of torture device, though!

“The spikes essentially mimic an acupressure practitioner. Each spike applies pressure to the body’s acu-points.”

Although this process is relatively new to the Western world, Simone says it dates back 2000 years and is a trusted Eastern Medicine healing practice.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

A number of studies indicate the mats may be beneficial for muscle recovery, pain relief, improved circulation, relaxation and better sleep.

Research conducted in 2012 on 82 participants with chronic neck and lower back pain noted that regularly using an acupressure mat reduced their pain by up to 36 per cent.

You don’t need to have any specific issues or pain to reap the benefits. “People often think to use the mat only when they’re experiencing problems,” says Simone. “But it can actually be beneficial to use at any time to improve overall wellbeing.”

Well, you know what they say – no pain, no gain!

HOW DOES IT FEEL?

In short: prickly, warm, and eventually, fantastic! One 2011 study found that peak discomfort hits at 30 seconds, then gradually decreases. “The experience can be uncomfortable at first,” Simone says. “Then there’s a tingling feeling, blood rushes to the area touching the mat and it starts to feel warm.”