- What is the best acupressure mat or bed of nails?
- Video: How to use acupressure mat?
- The types of acupressure mats for pain relief you should know about
- According to science, how can acupressure therapy improve our health?
- What is a "bed of nails" and what are the benefits of its regular use?
- What should you consider before buying the best acupressure mat?
- How do I use an acupressure mat to relieve muscle pain?
- Tips on how to care for your acupressure mat and maximize its lifespan
Lotus flower mats or nail beds are one of the most practical ways to practice acupressure, but they have become so popular today that it is difficult to find the ideal mat among so many brands that often do not deliver what they promise in terms of quality.
That's why today we're going to guide you in the mission to find the best acupressure mat, so that you can take advantage of all the benefits of this age-old therapy that you can use to improve your lifestyle and feel recovered from all aches and pains.
What is the best acupressure mat or bed of nails?
- Dimensions: Pillow: 23 x 32cm Mat: 74 x 44cm
- Material: Cotton outer and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Grey
- Acupressure points: 7506
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Includes an acupressure cushion
- Effectively relieves tension
- For post-workout relaxation and regeneration
- Optimised acupressure tips for good stimulation
- Somewhat hard for beginners
- Difficult to clean
You can use acupressure therapy to recover faster from insomnia, just place the mat with spikes designed to act on strategic areas that help the body's energy flow. It has a velcro fastener to attach the pillow to the mat, which is filled with natural coconut fibre. Please note that in some cases it does not effectively release endorphins and oxytocin.
- Size: Not specified
- Material: Cotton outer and high density foam padding
- Colours: Various
- Acupressure points: 6210
- Pack: Massage mat, pillow, two spiked balls and carry bag
- Carrying bag included
- Includes spiked massage balls
- Various models to choose from
- More complete than most
- Low quality padding
- No measurements specified
The 6210 points spiked mat adapts easily to the parts of the body that support myofascial release. Its design also includes a pillow with 1593 massage points, which contributes to complete relaxation. You can use it when practising yoga or on the go, as it is lightweight and can be easily carried in its case. In some cases the spikes can be detached from the fabric.
- Dimensions: Pillow: 23 x 32cm Mat: 74 x 44cm
- Material: Cotton outer and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: White, Orange
- Acupressure points: 7506
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Includes an acupressure cushion
- Effectively relieves tension
- For relaxation and post-workout regeneration
- Optimised acupressure tips for good stimulation
- Somewhat hard for beginners
- Difficult to clean
The cushion and carrying bag make an ideal product to help the body generate endorphins and oxytocin, which will improve the quality of life. It is designed to be used by both men and women, as its 7506-point design adapts easily to the person's anatomy. In advanced cases of muscular rigidity, it is likely that this sterilised product will not be useful.
- Sizes: Pillow: 37 x 30cm Mat: 65 x 38cm
- Material: Outer 55% cotton and 45% linen, fibre filling
- Colours: White, Grey, Purple
- Acupressure points: Not specified
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow, carrying bag and manual
- Perfect for lowering blood pressure
- Includes Exercise Manual
- Does not specify padding or acupressure points
This offer includes not only the acupressure mat, but also a pillow with magnets, a cover and instructions for best results. Both the cushion and the mat are filled with natural cotton and linen fibres, which helps to control body temperature to stimulate blood flow. The cover is washable and breathable, but please note that the number of stitches may not be efficient for some users.
- Dimensions: Pillow: 41x29x8cm Mat: 71x43x3cm
- Material: Cotton exterior and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Blue, Grey, Pink
- Acupressure points: 5168
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Designed for neck pain
- Chemical free
- Ergonomic pillow
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Too soft for some people
- Edges and ends to be improved
You can use this high-end compression set anywhere, as it comes with a carrying bag made of environmentally friendly materials. The type of support it generates stimulates myofascial release, relieving pain and softening the fasciae in a shorter time. In overweight people this article may not be very effective.
Sunshima - Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set for Neck and Back Pain, Muscle Relaxation and Better Sleep
- Dimensions: Pillow: 41x31cm Mat: 70x41cm
- Material: Cotton outer and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Yellow, White, Grey
- Acupressure points: 8000
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Optimised acupressure points for good stimulation
- Includes an acupressure cushion
- Effectively relieves tension
- For relaxation and regeneration after workout
- Difficult to clean
- Mat too soft for some people
Its 8000 pressure points stimulate myofascial release, which reduces sleep disorders and keeps anxiety under control. Its eco-friendly materials create a unique user experience, as the mat is filled with coconut fibres and the pillow contains natural buckwheat so it moulds easily to the neck. It is ideal as a gift for your friends or anyone who needs to ease their daily worries. Please note, its seams may tear after washing.
- Dimensions: Pillow: 38x15x10cm Mat: 72x44cm
- Material: Cotton outer and high density foam filler
- Colours: 10
- Acupressure points: 221 lotus flowers
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Velcro mat
- Designed for neck pain
- With prolonged use the lotus Flowers detached
Don't wait any longer and choose this practical and comfortable self-massage mat, with which you will also get a neck relaxation pillow and a carrying bag as a gift. Self-therapy and relaxation has never been so easy to apply, as you will only need to lie on this item for at least 20 minutes a day. It is important to consider that, size may be short for some people.
- Sizes: Pillow: 40x30cm Mat: 75x45cm
- Material: 100% Natural
- Colours: Yellow, Black
- Acupressure points: 6930
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Includes chair attachments
- Perfect for relaxation and regeneration after training
- Lotus flowers with central magnets
- Carrying bag included
- No materials specified
- Somewhat hard for beginners
You will effectively reduce stress and anxiety because the padding material and cover have no side effects. Don't miss this opportunity and get the acupressure mat with its pillow to combat cervicalgia symptoms. And don't worry about transporting it, because a practical bag with buckle fastener is also included. Please note, the quality of the materials is not comfortable for use in hot weather.
- Size: Pillow: 38x28cm Mat: 75x46cm
- Material: Cotton outer and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Brown
- Acupressure points: 11800
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Includes acupressure cushion and carrying bag
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Too thin mat
Thanks to its 11,800 acupuncture points you can stimulate blood circulation and come into harmony with the environment around you. It comes with a cushion and a cover for easy transport, as well as instructions for use and service so that you can make the most of the benefits of this product, but please note that the language used is German. The design of the lotus flower with its spikes achieves the ideal stimulating effect to relax and keep your mental balance in perfect condition.
- Size: Not specified
- Material: Cotton outer and high density foam padding
- Colours: Blue, Black, Pink
- Acupressure points: Not specified
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow, 5 rings and carry bag
- Including 5 acupressure rings
- Carrying bag included
- Perfect for lowering blood pressure
- Designed for neck pain
- No acupressure points specified
- No measurements specified
The product includes five acupressure rings to improve the dilation of blood vessels in the hand, just place each sphere on your fingers to stimulate irrigation. The mat is composed of high quality individual spiked circles, which contributes to better therapeutic effects in self-massage. Its size covers a large part of the back, but may be too small for some patients.
- Sizes: Pillow: 38x30cm Mat: 67x43cm
- Material: Cotton outer and coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Blue, Beige, Grey
- Acupressure points: 48 Points per lotus flower
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Ergonomic pillow with natural materials
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Acupressure points not specified
You can combat the symptoms of cervicalgia thanks to the self-massage therapy that you will perform on your neck by means of the pillow. Its fabric is made of antibacterial and durable raw materials, which prolongs its use after washing. The padding is made of coconut fibre and kapok, which will give you better results, but keep in mind that it may cause moisture accumulation during use.
- Size: Pillow: 41x31cm Mat: 72x44cm
- Material: Cotton outer and filling of coconut fibre
- Colours: Green
- Acupressure points: Not specified
- Pack: 1 Massage mat with pillow and carry bag
- Effectively relieves tension
- 100% ecological and natural materials
- Optimised acupressure points for good stimulation
- Filled with natural coconut fibres and wheat husks
- Gently washable
- Does not specify acupressure points
Just by using it for 15 minutes a day you will improve your night's sleep and reduce stress because the body will generate endorphins and oxytocin that benefit mental balance. It is designed to be used by both men and women, as its design adapts easily to the anatomy of the body. It is important to consider that, in some cases, the seams of the spike mat may come loose.
- Size: Not specified
- Material: Cotton outer, coconut fibre filling
- Colours: Green
- Acupressure points: Not specified
- Pack: Carrying bag and exercise manual
- Includes an exercise manual
- Effectively relieves tension
- Perfect for lowering blood pressure
- Designed for neck pain
- Not specify measurements and acupressure points
- Thin mat
You can use it in your free time, when you are at home or place it on your office chair to relax your back and get better blood circulation. Don't waste any more time on products that won't do you any good and choose this practical massage mat with a gift bag to carry it. For some people, the size may be insufficient for use on the back.
- Dimensions: Mat: 72 × 44cm Pillow: 30 × 40cm
- Material: Organic cotton Cover
- Colours: Grey
- Acupressure points: Mat: 221 Flowers Pillow: 51 Flowers
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow and carrying bag
- Includes an acupressure Pillow
- Effectively relieves tension
- For post-workout relaxation and regeneration
- Somewhat hard for beginners
- Poor quality
You can use acupressure therapy to recover more quickly from insomnia. Simply place the mat with the tips designed to act on strategic areas that support the body's energy flow. It has a Velcro fastener to attach the pillow to the mat, which is filled with natural coconut fibres. Please note that in some cases it does not effectively release the endorphins and oxytocin.
- Dimensions: Mat: 72 × 45cm Pillow: 39 × 29cm
- Material: Organic cotton Cover
- Colours: Grey
- Acupressure points: Mat: 221 Flowers Pillow: 57 Flowers
- Pack: Massage mat with pillow and carrying bag
- Includes user guide
- Eco-Friendly
- With Massage ball
- Somewhat hard for beginners
- Only one colour
Cork massage ball to reduce plastic use: they care about your needs and the environment. so to give you the best option to reduce plastic use, have added a cork massage ball to the acupressure set. the massage ball helps you release tension in: legs, buttocks, shoulder area and the soles of the feet. Easy to carry bag: take it everywhere you go: the velcro strap of the fazen acupressure set makes it easy to carry. you can take this set to your yoga class, to the office or place it on the seat of your car. you can also take it on long trips and car journeys.
Video: How to use acupressure mat?
The types of acupressure mats for pain relief you should know about
According to science, how can acupressure therapy improve our health?
Acupressure therapy has become a favorite of patients and professionals for several years to lead a healthier, more relaxed and pain-free life. It originated thousands of years ago in Chinese culture, which also spread to the West, and focuses on stimulating the thousands of points that connect the meridians through which energy flows in the body.
It is often confused with acupuncture, as both basically treat the same points and have the same philosophy about them, but the most notable difference between them is the way they are stimulated: While acupuncture uses needles, acupressure does so with the hands and fingertips.
Although traditional scientific medicine has not given so much importance to the study of acupuncture when it considered it, the few studies that have been done on it have been positive. Here are the most scientifically proven beneficial aspects of acupressure:
Stress Relief
Acupressure can regulate the flow of energy in the body, but it can also stimulate the flow of blood in the circulation and the muscles so that the brain produces more endorphins and oxytocin, which will greatly reduce the stress that is the culprit in so many other ailments in your health.
Limit the myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy
Bone marrow suppression is one of the worst side effects of chemotherapy. However, it can be reduced by practicing acupressure. This is proven by a study from the year 2017 by specialists Ya-Wen Shih, Shun-Fa Yang, Ming-Hsien Chien, Ching-Wen Chang, Vincent HS Chang and Hsiu-Ting Tsai.
In this study, acupressure was applied to 28 patients during their chemotherapeutic treatment for gynecologic cancer, and a significant increase in blood stem cells was found to counteract the effects of myelosuppression.
Improvement of aerobic capacity
Aerobic endurance is one of the most important characteristics in the athletic performance of any athlete. Although acupressure does not require effort on the part of the patient, it has been shown to have positive effects in this regard.
In 2018 Shahin Ahmedov and Baris Filiz a study was conducted on young, healthy male athletes who underwent acupressure, and the result was that they improved their aerobic endurance by more than 10%. Although it is not known exactly how this was possible, experts conclude that it could be due to the fact that they achieved a sufficient state of relaxation to reduce anxiety, which allowed them to better use their lung capacity.
Improves sleep and reduces fatigue
Sleep disorders are undoubtedly one of the worst misfortunes that can befall a person, as they trigger a chain reaction in which even more stress is created and the nervous system is damaged In 2016, a clinical study was conducted by Seyyed Abolfazl Vagharseyyedin, Mohaddeseh Salmabadi, Hamidreza Bahrami Taghanaki and Hamidreza Riyasi, in which theeffectiveness of acupressure in improving sleep in migraine patients was tested.
The study involved monitoring 76 patients who underwent targeted acupressure, and although the improvement in sleep quality was minimal, significant results were observed in terms of reducing fatigue.
What is a "bed of nails" and what are the benefits of its regular use?
It is a mat with a series of spikes that have the ability to activate the points and meridians through which energy flows in the body.
Its regular use can bring the following health benefits:
- Stress relief and anxiety reduction: using the mat for 10 to 20 minutes a day relieves tension in soft tissues and stimulates the release of endorphins and oxytocin, making you feel more relaxed and relieving tension and stress.
- Better sleep: as the studies mentioned above show, acupressure can contribute to better, undisturbed sleep and make it easier to get in tune so you no longer suffer from insomnia.
- Relax muscles and joints: The hundreds of nubs on the mat make it easier to release tension in the soft tissues. Muscles and joints are more relaxed and less prone to injury as a result.
- Relieve muscle pain: If you suffer from severe stiffness or DOMS after working out at the gym, you can relieve this and other discomfort caused by soft tissue injuries with a few minutes of regular lying on the acupressure mat.
- Reduce migraines: If you suffer from migraines on a regular basis, you'll be happy to know that using the acupressure mat will help you reduce migraines significantly by stimulating the release of endorphins, which have a powerful effect on preventing and relieving migraines.
- Relieve chronic pain: Because it stimulates the production of endorphins and releases tension throughout the body, the acupressure mat is an important ally in relieving pain caused by chronic conditions or trigger points.
What should you consider before buying the best acupressure mat?
Now that you know how an acupressure mat can improve your quality of life, it is time for you to learn what aspects are most important when choosing the mat you want to buy.
Materials
The materials are important because they define both the quality of the product and the experience of using it. You should make sure that they are made of hypoallergenic textiles such as cotton and linen on the outside. As for the filling, it is best to have them filled with coconut or cotton fibers, as they keep their texture much longer.
When it comes to nail beds, you should make sure that they are made of a material that is strong enough to put an even pressure on your entire body when you use it, but not so strong that it hurts your skin. With this in mind, a HIPS plastic or high-strength polystyrene is ideal.
Dimensions
This is an aspect you should consider, as it will largely determine how much space the mat can cover on your body. In this sense, its width dimensions are the most important, especially if you are a tall person who may have a fairly wide back, and a mat that does not cover it completely will not give you the benefits you want.
Design of the "lotus flowers"
The way the lotus flowers are designed on a mat is crucial, as it will determine the quality and quantity of pressure on body points and meridians. Usually the teeth are grouped in circles or hexagons, which does not change much in the way they work, but what is crucial is how the teeth are distributed in these circles or hexagons.
Make sure that they are distributed similarly to a bed of nails seen from above, and not like a handful of points grouped in a perimeter. Otherwise, they do not exert harmonious pressure and do not stimulate the points and meridians properly.
Number of pressure points
The number of points on the acupressure mat is important because it determines the stimulation potential of the mat. You may think the more the better, but acupressure is not about size, it's about harmony. There can be hundreds of lotus flowers on a mat, but ideally there should be at least 15 to 20 nubs in a mat.
Cleaning
Cleanliness is essential for obvious reasons. Remember that this is an item that you will likely be exercising on, which means that dirt and sweat will accumulate, which over time will become a buildup of bacteria that is potentially harmful to your skin.
Therefore, make sure that the outside of the mat is removable and that the material of the nail bed is strong enough not to lose strength or come loose during washing. As for washing: even if it is indicated that you can use a washing machine, it is better to do it by hand to take care of the life of the product.
Additional accessories with or without cushion?
It is normal that the mat has its respective base and a cushion, which if it were not included would be a real reason not to buy it, but in some cases you can get a good deal to get a complete self-massage kit. This usually consists of a set of lacrosse massage balls and also a foam roller.
How do I use an acupressure mat to relieve muscle pain?
We will now shortly show you how to use a lotus flower mat to relieve muscle pain all over the body.
For this purpose, we will focus on the following aspects:
- How to lie down: Depending on the exercise you are doing, you will probably take many different positions, but in all of them it is most important that the part of the body you want to treat lies completely and evenly on the nail bed, so that the nails can activate and stimulate the points and meridians located there.
- Duration of the session: depending on the type of exercise you are doing, the time you spend on your mat may vary. If you lie down on the mat while reading or watching TV, it is ideal if you stay on it for more than 30 minutes. If you are doing yoga, meditation or other exercise, you should hold each position for at least 5 minutes.
- Regular sessions: Experts recommend that you make using it a regular habit and practice every day for at least 30 minutes in your free time. If you can't afford this luxury, it's also enough to enjoy a moment two or three times a week.
Tips on how to care for your acupressure mat and maximize its lifespan
Finally, we will give you a number of valuable tips on how to extend the life of your acupressure mat as much as possible so that you don't have to buy a new one soon.
- Always keep it in its case: Don't just leave it lying around anywhere after use. Keep it in its case as it is designed to keep out moisture, dirt and other external contaminants that affect its durability.
- Follow the cleaning instructions: You should always follow the washing instructions as this is the right way to avoid damaging the material during washing.
- Do not use directly on the floor: Do not place the rug directly on hard surfaces, because even though it is a rug, its materials can be easily damaged if you accidentally place it on a stone or a piece of another material that is on the floor at that time, so it is best to place an insulating material between the rug and the floor, such as a towel or a fabric rug.
- Do not over-fold: Mats should never actually be folded because when the tips come together, they lose both their strength and their tips, gradually losing their effectiveness. Therefore, always store it in the same condition it was in when you took it out of the case.
- Do not use a washing machine or bleach: even if the instructions state that you can use a gentle wash cycle, which is unlikely, it is best to wash the mat with your own hands and without bleach or other harsh detergents.