When you’re looking for ways to manage anxiety at home, you may have read about the amazing things that acupressure can do.
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese therapy shown to help with pain relief, your mental health and even weight management.
An acupressure mat means you can take advantage of all these health benefits in the comfort of your own home.
Our 7 Best Acupressure Mat Reviews
We’ve taken a look at the products on the market and put together a list of the 7 best acupressure mats for you to choose from:
Akuspike have also developed the Aku Ball, an acupressure ball that can be rolled on any area of your body and which they claim can help to combat Raynaud’s syndrome.
We asked someone with rheumatoid arthritis in her hands to test out the ball.
She found it helped to reduce swelling in the short term and delivered a satisfying sensation that made her hands feel “alive” after a busy day when her pain is generally worse.
It doesn’t ship with a pillow, however you can easily purchase a matching one from the Eco range, to complement your mat perfectly.
Features of Acupressure Mats
If you’re unsure which mat is right for you then we’ve created a handy buying guide to help you make your decision.
Below we’ve explained some of the features you’ll come across when shopping for an acupressure mat:
Acupressure points
Manufacturers will often use the number of acupressure points on a mat to promote their product. Normally quoted in thousands, it relates to the number of individual spikes on the mat.
With more spikes you should technically be able to hit more pressure points, of course this depends on the quality.
Generally acupressure points are plastic, however you can get metal spikes, like the Aku Mat. Their mat has less points in total, but in our opinion the fact that they’re metal makes them much more effective.
Material
Mats can be made from a range of different materials, and typically contain a filling such as foam.
Some acupressure mat brands (such as Ajna) will concentrate on the environmental benefits of the material, while others will focus purely on comfort.
Size
Acupressure mats can vary in length and width so look closely at the measurements to make sure you’ll get the coverage you need. Travel sized acupressure mats are also available, ideal for throwing in your bag for use in the yoga studio or at the office.
Added extras
Some mats come with an acupressure pillow or neck wrap which can be useful if you’re looking to treat pain in the neck and shoulders.
Don’t immediately rule out mats that don’t have this added extra, as certain ones can easily be rolled up and positioned under the neck.
Carrying bag
Mats can ship with a carrying bag, useful if you’re always on the go and want to take your new-found treatment with you!
Price
Prices range from around $20 and can go up to $100. Spending more doesn’t always mean better quality, so use our buying guide to help you judge the features.
Customer reviews
When deciding if a mat is right for you, it’s worth taking a close look at the reviews. It will help you get a feel for the quality and the different ways it can be used.
FAQs about Acupressure Mats
Below we’ve answered a number of frequently asked questions about acupressure mats: