Plus, the benefits of acupressure.
Body aches and pains are nothing new, but research1 shows that they've become increasingly apparent over the last several years. The transition to a work-from-home setup has led to even more hours of sitting, oftentimes in not-so-ergo-friendly positions.
Luckily, there are ways to combat these woes—and acupressure is one of them. If you've explored traditional Chinese medicine (or spent any time on TikTok), you may have already been introduced to acupressure mats as an affordable yet effective method for reducing aches and pains. If not, today's your lucky day.
Acupressure mats can also reduce stress, relieve headaches, help you sleep better, and improve your overall well-being. Thanks to the growing popularity of these mats, there are a ton of options available on the market. The not-so-silver lining? This plethora of choices can make it difficult to know which one is right for you.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of acupressure, and to discover our picks for the best acupressure mat to fit your specific needs.
What is an acupressure mat?
An acupressure mat, sometimes referred to as a shakti mat, is a padded, spiked mat that applies pressure to your body in order to stimulate specific acupressure points and improve circulation, by releasing blocked or stagnant chi (energy)—similar to how acupuncture works. Unlike acupuncture, though, an acupressure mat does not puncture the skin and can be used at home.
These mats are typically made of cotton, with small plastic spikes to apply the pressure, and they often come with a small pillow, too. You can use an acupressure mat in a number of ways. Most commonly, people will lie on their mat on the floor, but the mat can be placed on other surfaces (such as your desk chair) for use throughout the day.
What are the benefits of an acupressure mat?
While they're fairly new on the scene, the concept of these mats is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been utilizing the healing benefits of acupressure for thousands of years.
"Acupressure mats use a combination of heat and pressure (in the form of small plastic spikes) to stimulate the body's natural healing energy. The idea is that this will soothe and relax your muscles, ease tension, reduce stiffness, and increase blood flow—all without you needing to take time out for a full-on treatment by an acupuncturist," explains Jamie Bacharach, Dipl.Ac., licensed medical acupuncturist and head of practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem.
According to Bacharach, other common benefits of acupressure mats can include improved sleep, reduced headaches, loosened muscles, and reduced sciatica pain.
Studies2 have also shown acupressure to be an impactful way to reduce stress and anxiety, and you can even utilize the practice for bloating, brain fog, or to boost your immunity.
Our picks for the best acupressure mats:
You may have seen this viral acupressure mat and pillow on your TikTok or Instagram feed, and it fully lives up to the hype. The mat itself is filled with coconut fiber and the pillow contains memory foam—and they're each wrapped in a linen cover, and covered in plastic acupressure spikes. The set comes with a carrying case, so you can bring it with you for quick relief while traveling or while on the go.
What our editor says:
"I'm a self-proclaimed acupuncture junkie, so I was a bit doubtful that I'd be able to achieve the same benefits from home. This mat proved me wrong. Even just 15 minutes on the mat makes me feel relaxed and refreshed—especially after a long work or travel day, or heavy exercise. While I won't be stopping acupuncture treatments anytime soon, this mat is a great way to stretch my time between sessions. It's helped with stress reduction and muscle recovery, and it truly relaxes me before bed." —Carleigh Ferrante, commerce editor
This acupressure mat and pillow set is an excellent choice for anyone seeking relief from back pain, and it comes recommended by Bacharach. "A full-coverage mat with 6,210 acupressure points spanning the width of anyone's back, no matter your size, the Prosource has the coverage necessary to soothe problem areas and surrounding areas alike to ensure complete relief. The acupressure points stimulate meridians in the back to promote circulation for quick and long-term relief," she explains.
It's the most affordable option on this list, and it doesn't skimp on quality. The foam is plant-based and the cotton is organic, and the materials feel durable. One downside is that it doesn't come with a carrying case—but it does have small loops and buttons sewn in, so you can roll it up for storage. There are a variety of colors to choose from, and it's available on Amazon with free shipping and free returns.
What customers say:
This mat has 28,000 perfect five-star ratings on Amazon. One reviewer shares, "My back hasn't felt this loose in many years. I definitely feel relaxed both in my mind and my back. I'm super excited to use it again." Another says, "I've had lower back pain off and on for years. I also get tension headaches. The first time I laid on this mat I loved it! I laid on it for about fifteen minutes and my headache was gone. It says to start off laying on something soft. But I dived right in and laid on the floor with it. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable at all."
It's worth mentioning that, while most stress that it's a good kind of pain, the majority of this mat's reviews do mention how painful it is.
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