In these unprecedented times of conflict, personal crisis, and bad media reports, our life has become full of stress in the present world. Our normal daily routine, media report, and crisis can often leave us exhausted or strained and out of balance. This exhaustion or strain brings about stress, aches, and pains. To overcome or cope with these stress, aches, and pains, there is need to ensure self-care by using an acupressure mat.
Acupressure mat have over a thousand sharp plastic needles or thorns. These sharp plastic needles are about five millimetres long and are placed about five millimetres apart from each other. This tiny spikes on the mat are designed to stimulate the body to provide therapeutic benefits – pain relief. Acupressure mat stimulate the skin, and this is because the weight of the body is spread.
Types of Acupressure Mat
There are different types of acupressure mats which are specific for their peculiar application for certain areas of the body. They are:
1. Arco mat
2. Swedish spike mat
3. Shakti mat
The Swedish mat can be applied specifically on the thighs or on the arms and Arco has a spike ball which can treat arthritis or Reinhardt’s disease. Application of an mat on smaller areas of the body requires less treatment time.
Acupressure Mat Treatment Time Per Body Part
According to Shakti mat, the following treatment time per body part is required.
1. Back – 20 minutes
2. Shoulders – 10 minutes
3. Neck – 10 minutes
4. Feet – 5 minutes
5. Legs – 10 minutes
6. Belly – 5 minutes
How to Use Acupressure Mat?
- Neck and Back: Lie down with your back on the mat and the pillow supporting your neck, bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. Applying this position reduces body tension, back pain, and stress.
- Feet: Ensure your feet are rightly placed on the pillow while sitting in an upright position in a chair. You can gently stand on the mat. Carrying out this practice helps you to relax your feet and boost your energy level.
- Chest and Abdomen: Lie on the mat with your stomach and chest placed on the mat, cross your arms below your head and rest your head on your arms. This helps post-workout recovery, digestion, and blood flow to respiratory muscles.
- Glutes: Ensure your legs are straight or cross them in front. This help to improve posture and the lower body.
- Quads: As you lie on the mat, let your lower stomach rest on the mat, rest your upper body on the floor, or use your hands to push your upper body up to stretch. This will improve lower back pain and boost post-workout muscle recovery.
- Outer thighs: Sit on the mat sideways while placing your hands on the floor below your shoulders for support. Repeat on the opposite side. This position helps to improve posture and the lower body.
Caution in Using Acupressure Mat
Acupressure mats have sharp plastic needles or thorns. Therefore, those who have open wounds should avoid using the mat as it can cause pain or infection in the wound.
Benefits of Acupressure Mat
There are general benefits that come from using an mat. They include:
- Enhances immunity response of the body and defence
- Relieving aches and pains
- Relieves stress and anxiety
- Increase blood circulation
- Improves oxygen level
- Reduces muscle tension
- Elevate mood and help with depression
- Encourages a restful sleep and reduces insomnia
- Energized the body
- Emotional growth and transformation
- Helps in sports injuries
- Reduces high blood pressure
Conclusion
Acupressure mat has therapeutic effects in terms of relieving pain, ameliorating functionality, and improving quality of life. Acupressure mat has great benefits on health and well-being. However, for maximum benefit, other positive strategies, such as stress management, self-care, self-compassion, meditation, yoga, stretching, deep breathing, and related exercises need to be practiced. Further, ensuring that steps are taken to reduce stress will boost your health, both physically and mentally. Naturally, one should practice healthy living habits – avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and having sufficient sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Acupressure Mat have a negative effect?
No Acupressure Mat has no negative effect.
Q: Do acupressure mat work?
Acupressure mats reduce pain
Q: Do acupressure mat have side effects?
People may experience soreness or have bruises using acupressure mats. Apply little pressure over sensitive areas of the body.
Q: When should an acupressure mat be used?
Evening times are the best for using acupressure mat. As a result of the mat, your body will feel more relaxed as you go to bed.
