Experts say acupressure mats may help with recovery and sleep
NBC Selected’s guide says spiked mats can support relaxation, ease soreness and help users slow down when used correctly.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
3 min read
NBC Selected has highlighted acupressure mats as an at-home recovery tool for muscle tightness, stress and sleep support. The guide matters for shoppers because the products can look intimidating, but experts cited by NBC Selected say the pressure from the spikes may help the body relax.
Dr. Sarah Cash Crawford, a physical therapist and founder of Anchor Wellness and WAVE Physical Therapy and Pilates, told NBC Selected that acupressure mats are padded surfaces covered with small plastic spikes. Crawford said lying or standing on the mats stimulates pressure points across the body.
According to Crawford, the steady pressure against the skin can increase circulation, encourage muscles to loosen and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which she described as the body’s “rest and recover” state. She told NBC Selected she explains the mats to patients as controlled sensory input that can help shift the body away from stress and toward a calmer state.
How users are advised to approach the mats
NBC Selected reported that experts recommend sessions of about 10 to 20 minutes for relaxation, while the guide’s author described using a mat for 30 minutes after computer work or exercise. The guide said acupressure mats may help relieve tightness and soreness, reduce stress and improve sleep quality, based on the experts NBC Selected interviewed.
The products are sometimes compared with a “bed of nails,” according to NBC Selected, because they are covered in spikes. The guide also cautioned that calling them acupuncture mats is inaccurate, using the acupressure term for the products it reviewed.
Products named in the guide
NBC Selected chose several mats for different types of users, including beginners, people seeking more body coverage and experienced users looking for a stronger feel. The guide emphasized size, materials, spike count and included accessories.
ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set: NBC Selected named this the best option for beginners. The guide listed it at $29.99 on Amazon, with a 26.5-by-16.5-inch mat, cotton, linen and plant-based foam construction, 6,210 spikes and an included bolster pillow.
Sivan Health and Fitness Extra Large Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set: NBC Selected called this the best choice for full-body relief. The guide listed it at $49.99 on Amazon, measuring 51 by 17.5 inches, with more than 10,000 spikes and a foam pillow.
Balance Mate Acupressure Mat Set: NBC Selected named this the best set. The guide said it includes a large mat, a smaller mat, a neck pillow and a thin cloth for people easing into use.
ShaktiMat Acupressure Mat Level 3: NBC Selected recommended this for experienced users. The guide said it has 4,000 spikes, costs $99 and does not include accessories.
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set: NBC Selected listed this as an editor’s pick. The guide said it costs $88, includes a bolster pillow and storage bag, and is best suited to experienced users.
NBC Selected senior editor Nikki Brown told the outlet that her comparable ProsourceFit model helps her stretch when she deals with muscle spasticity in her right hip and middle back. Brown said she usually lies on the mat for 20 to 30 minutes with her legs elevated.
The guide’s author, Zoe Malin, said she first bought the ProsourceFit mat more than three years ago and later moved to Wthn’s mat for a stronger feel. NBC Selected said shoppers should consider intensity, coverage area, materials and accessories before choosing a mat.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.