Acupressure mats
Relax and regenerate with acupressure mats from ©bodhi
Suffering from stress, tension, headaches or back pain? With a pressure point mat like the VITAL acupressure mat from bodhi you can relax deeply and regenerate in just a few minutes. Here we explain what an acupressure mat is, what advantages it has, what the difference is between an acupuncture mat and a shakti mat and what you should look for when buying one.
Tension and back pain have become very widespread. Especially the back, shoulders and neck suffer from our modern lifestyle, which mostly consists of a lot of office work, stress and lack of exercise. Tension and pain can extend into the neck and radiate from there to other areas. Regular massages can relieve this pain, but they are quite costly in the long run.
An acupressure mat costs about as much as a professional massage while providing a similar relaxing effect. Unlike a massage, however, you only need to pay for the mat once and can use it as often and whenever you like after that. Thus, with an acupressure mat you can replace a visit to a masseur or physiotherapist, or just extend the time between visits.
Yantra mat, acupuncture mat or acupressure mat? What is the difference?
An acupressure mat is a mat with plastic points that stimulates blood flow and activates specific acupressure points in the body, similar to a fakir mat. The points of the VITAL acupressure mat are evenly distributed in circles across the mat, each with 27 tips made of ABS plastic. These stimulate blood circulation and energy flow through the pressure on the skin.
The effect of the needle mat is based on acupressure. Acupressure is a treatment method from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and closely related to acupuncture. For this reason, the mat is often mistakenly called an acupuncture mat. You may have heard other names in this context such as yantra mat, shakti mat, heaven mat, nail mat or acupressure mat. But whatever it is called, is always the mat with the acupressure tips that is meant.
How does acupressure work?
Acupressure uses pressure on specific energy points to stimulate the flow of energy or „chi“ in the body. This leads to an optimization of organ functions, activation of self-healing powers and is even said to be able to relieve pain. Beds of nails have been used to heal the body and mind for more than 4,000 years.
Our VITAL acupressure mat stimulates the acupressure points in the body and thus has a vitalizing and balancing effect. After just a few minutes on the acupressure mat, you will notice a change, for example in the form of warmth or a tingling sensation in the parts of the body that are lying on the mat, which now have better blood circulation. The increased blood circulation also improves the supply of nutrients to the tissues and blood pressure can decrease. A warm and pleasant feeling spreads and tensions dissolve. Athletes have long discovered the benefits of acupressure for themselves and use acupressure mats to shorten recovery time and increase their performance.
What are the advantages of the spiky mat?
A full body massage with the acupressure mat has many advantages. Regular use can be beneficial for stress and pain, but can also help with sleep disorders or digestive problems. Here are just a few of the ailments for which the needle stimulation mat can help provide relief:
- Headaches and migraines
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Sciatica pain
- Stress and muscle tension
- Chronic fatigue and sleep disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Circulatory disorders
- Fibromyalgia pain
How to use the acupressure mat and for how long?
You can use your VITAL acupressure mat anywhere and anytime. All you need is a little time and a quiet, pleasant atmosphere. If you like, you can dim the lights and turn on relaxing music or a guided meditation. We recommend thin cotton clothing to start with.
Lie down slowly with your back on the relaxation mat. Gently place your head on the acupressure pillow. Let your breathing flow calmly and deeply. The first 3 to 5 minutes may be a little painful. Try to endure the pressure and continue to relax. If the pain is too intense, put on some more clothes or place a towel between your body and the math. After about 5 minutes your body will start to get used to the pressure. Heat spreads through the body when blood flow is stimulated. This is the moment when relaxation sets in.
You can use your relaxation mat 1 to 2 times a day. We recommend that you do not rest on the mat for more than 20-30 minutes.
Is lying on an acupressure mat dangerous?
If you are wondering if lying on the shakti mat is dangerous in any way, we can reassure you. Even if the tips seem a bit daunting at first , nothing can happen to you. In the beginning the pressure can be intense and a bit uncomfortable. But with time you will get used to it and maybe relax so deeply that you will fall asleep on the mat.
People with sensitive skin might find the pressure of the points too intense. And pregnant women as well as people with heart problems, epilepsy or inflammatory skin diseases should avoid the pressure point mat. Otherwise, as long as you feel comfortable, you can use the mat without hesitation.
Which acupuncture mat is the best?
Which spiky mat is the best for you cannot be answered in general. In our store you can find many different acupressure sets in different designs. Depending on your size and which complaints you would like to treat with the mat, you can find the right mat for your needs.
We carry the VITAL acupressure sets in two different sizes: Standard and XL. The standard set is intended for the treatment of the back and neck. The XL set is recommended for those who want to treat the legs as well as the upper body.
All our sets come with an acupressure mat as well as an acupressure pillow. The DELUXE acupressure sets are additionally equipped with a foot mat, where you have the choice between the SOFT version with rounded tips or the SPIKY version for a more intensive treatment of the feet. Both the foot mats and the acupressure cushion are also available separately.
If you value natural and sustainable materials, our VITAL ECO acupressure set is for you. In addition to a beautiful, natural look, it has a cover made of sturdy half-linen and is filled with coconut fibers as well as buckwheat hulls. Due to the filling of glued coconut fibers, the VITAL ECO acupressure mat is slightly harder than our VITAL acupressure mat.