If you’re the type of person who keeps up with all the latest wellness treatments and trends - an example being home gym equipment, you’ll probably have heard the term 'acupressure' being bandied about. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure aims to restore health and balance to the body - but without the use of needles.
Used for thousands of years in China, acupressure practitioners apply pressure to acupoints on the body’s meridians (the energy network of the body) using specific massage techniques, as well as other methods. This type of treatment is said to create equilibrium within the body, balancing out the positive and negative energy which, if unbalanced, can cause physical illness and emotional issues, too.
Think of your body as containing lots of little water slides: your life energy (Chi) is generally believed to flow through channels like water, but these can become blocked and this can lead to health issues. By using acupressure at certain trigger points, the channels are opened up and energy can flow freely, relieving your body of its ailments.
Furthermore, the general idea is that each part of your body has a corresponding body part which, when put under pressure, can relieve symptoms. For example, it’s thought that there are points on your hands that link to your intestines, and there’s a point on the back of your knee which relates to your bladder.
The Best Acupressure Mats
If you want to experiment and see if an acupressure mat is for you, this Anself Massager Cushion Acupressure Mat is affordable and ideal for things like tension in the back and stress knots.
One reviewer wrote, "Arrived early, tried it the same day (without a shirt) although a little uncomfortable at first, I was able to relax into it. It leaves your back red… but not painful, and for the rest of the day I felt more energised and my back pain had eased."
This Bed Of Nails Acupressure Mat might be the one you've seen on social media - lots of celebs and influencers on Instagram have posed with their feet on this version, which is embedded with 8820 'nails' (not actually nails) that are made from 100% recyclable HIPS plastic.
whitelotusbeauty.com
If your pain problems are specific to your lower back or neck, an acupressure pillow could be perfect for you. The White Lotus Acupressure Pillow is made using memory foam, it contours to your individual shape.
One happy reviewer stated that: it's "great for migraine type headaches."
This budget option from ASOSMOS is a great shout for those who aren't sure but want to experiment. With the cheaper options though, be prepared for a longer delivery time.
One happy customer remarked, "I'm not sure how to describe how awesome this is because you have to have a go yourself really, but the relaxation is outstanding - and it's completely stopped my migraines. I year it after doing a home yoga session and stay on for about 15 minutes. It's unbelievable."
At a great price, this PRO 11 WELLBEING acupressure mat comes with a matching pillow and a carry bag - a great idea if you want to take it to your yoga sessions. It has more than 600 ratings, with 74% of them being 5-star.
**One happy reviewer wrote: "**I suffer with chronic headaches and migraines and this mat has really helped. I lie on it "religiously" about 20 minutes before bedtime every night. It showed results after about the first 4 or 5 days. I have been able to reduce my medication and have experienced far more pain-free than painful days over the last few weeks - a relief beyond words."
OK, so these sandals clearly aren't a mat, but they might be up your street. Becoming ever popular with influencers on Instagram, these Revs Acupressure Shoes have a massage footbed which help provide support, aid with posture alignment and boost blood flow.
A satisfied reviewer wrote, "I can't say for certain whether there is a correlation or not, but since I started wearing these (approximately 4 months ago) I have had no recurrence of the lower back pain which had been a constant feature of daily life before."There was some discomfort the first day I tried them - in fact initially I thought I had made a huge mistake as they seemed pretty much unwearable. However, this completely disappeared the next day I tried them and they have been absolutely fine ever since."
What is an acupressure mat?
An acupressure mat is a soft foam mat, covered in hundreds of little spikes, placed closely together. Rather than going to a practitioner for treatment, these mats make it possible to receive some form of acupressure in the home and when you're out and about.
Also known as a ‘bed of nails’, you can lie on them without getting injured as your bodyweight is distributed evenly. Although they don’t trigger specific acupressure points, they do trigger many points at once, which could have some benefits to our health.
What is an acupressure mat used for?
Many claim that acupressure mats help with everything from stress and anxiety to muscle tension and chronic pain. Some people even report benefits for cellulite reduction and relief for things like menstrual pain and headaches. A non-invasive therapy, you simply lie on your mat, clothed or with bare skin (depending on your preference) and wait for the mat to work its magic.
While uncomfortable at first, many users report a generalised feeling of relief once their session is up. In Western medicine, specialists believe these treatments are beneficial because they reduce muscle tension, improve circulation and influence pain signals.
Is there anyone who can't use an acupressure mat?
Those with high blood pressure and circulatory issues should avoid using an acupressure mat, as well as people taking blood-thinning medication. If you have broken or irritated skin or an infection, it would also be wise to steer clear of an acupressure mat.
Anyone with a history of seizures should never use an acupressure mat without supervision and if you're pregnant, using the mat could present a variety of risks.
Before undertaking any kind of therapy, you should always consult your doctor.
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Jade Moscrop is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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