You want to get a needle mat, but are still unsure? Here you will learn everything you need to know about it. If you want an acupressure mat to have an effect, then you should read this article especially thoroughly.
You have a tense neck and wonder what can help? A Yantra mat is supposed to work wonders. But is it really so?
Can an acupressure mat really help to get rid of tension? When can an acupressure mat have an effect and when is it completely useless?
I've done some research for you. This is what you need to know about the mat and its effect!
Table of contents
Do you already know these effective exercises against neck pain?
What is an acupressure mat at all
An acupressure mat is also called a nail mat, needle mat, fakir mat, spiked mat, vital mat, flower field mat or yanatra mat.
No matter what you say to the mat, its function remains the same.
A Yantra mat is a practical helper that everyone should have at home who works a lot in a sitting position. You can use it to release tension and do a few more pleasant things.
But first, let's see how such a mat is made and what makes it stand out.
The mat itself is usually nothing more than two pieces of cotton fabric sewn together and filled with absorbent cotton or foam. The acupressure mat is about 3 cm high and feels very pleasantly soft, at least on the back.
However, it is packed with small plastic tips on the front. These tips make them very special.
If you look closely, you can see the laces that decorate each circle. There are 25 needles per circle, in total there are 230 circles on each mat. This brings the total number of needles to 5750. Depending on the model, there can be up to 12,000 needles.
Most mats are sold in a set with a pad, which is used for neck massage. And you don't even have to spend much for that. I have this mat in use. It has particularly good reviews on Amazon.
What effect has an acupressure mat
The mat is said to help with many ailments. For example, it is said to combat back pain, sleep disorders and migraines, while improving depression and anxiety and stimulating blood circulation.
The effect is based on the principle of acupressure. This is a form of therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
It is about putting pressure on certain points of the body. This pressure causes your life energy - called Qi - to flow.
When the life energy falters, illness and discomfort can occur. This includes tension that you feel in your neck or back.
With the help of pressure we can get the life energy flowing again. To do this, you can either work with finger pressure or use an acupressure mat.
If an acupressure mat is to have an effect, it also does so by activating the body's self-healing powers. You can use the nail mat when you are already tense or you can use it as a preventive measure.
My experience with the mat: This is how it really feels!
How a tension arises
To understand exactly how the acupressure mat works, you need to know how tension is created in the first place. I'll be brief: if your muscle fibers are constantly under tension, they become hard and can even shorten.
Meanwhile, however, it gets worse. If the muscles are hard, the blood vessels contract. As a result, blood circulation is disturbed and tension worsens.
And then we have the fasciae, which surround our muscles and hold our organs in place. They also stick together and harden. So-called trigger points can develop, which are very painful.
What helps now is heat, light movements and an acupressure mat application.
How the spiked mat works
The acupressure mat has up to 12,000 plastic tips. These are arranged very regularly on the mat and thus transfer the pressure evenly to the skin and thereby to the muscles and fasciae.
This allows acupressure points to be targeted and treated in a very specific way.
This not only feels that these areas of the body are supplied with more blood, but also that our mood becomes better. How this works?
Well, the needles release endorphins and oxytocin. These hormones make us feel liberated and happy - that's why they are also called happy hormones and anti-stress hormones.
Endorphins are known to reduce pain. So the mat works on two levels. On the one hand, it stimulates the blood circulation, on the other hand, it provides a lot of happy hormones.
When more blood circulates through our body, oxygen and nutrients also reach those places that are currently poorly supplied with blood and tense. The body begins to regenerate.
Does a massage gun help against tension?
When the acupressure mat effect becomes noticeable
Yes, but when and how quickly does the mat help? A session should last about 15 to 20 minutes. Then the effect of the acupressure mat can be fully developed.
The firmer the surface on which the mat is placed, the more intensely you will feel the needles.
Beginners are therefore advised to first lay the mat on the sofa or bed. This way there is not too much pressure and you can get used to the feeling of the tips on the body.
If you are a little more advanced, then use the mat on the floor.
Of course, the stronger the pressure, the more intense the acupressure mats effect.
If an acupressure mat is to produce an effect, you need to know that it won't happen overnight. Your body has to get used to it. However, you should notice that your tension improves after the first three applications. Immediately after the treatment you will notice a tingling sensation and you will feel warmer, both of which are due to the blood circulation.
Tense neck? Here's how you can tap it!
For whom a spiked mat is worthwhile and for whom not
Once you have felt your own acupressure mat effect, you will quickly realize: It's worth it for absolutely everyone. No matter whether someone is just tense or wants to prevent tension.
If you start with the nail mat because you have acute tension, then you should not stop when you feel better.
Get into the habit of lying on the mat 1-2 times a week as a preventive measure. If you are currently tense, you can also familiarize yourself with the effect of the acupressure mat every day. There are no side effects.
However, if you have cardiovascular problems, then you'd better not use the mat. The same applies to pregnant women who are about to give birth. The acupressure mat strongly stimulates blood circulation.
Also, those with inflammatory diseases or open wounds should steer clear of the mat.
Our conclusion
If an acupressure mat is to have an effect, then you must use it regularly. But already after the first few times you will notice a significant improvement. For me, the mat helps wonderfully with tension in the shoulders and back. The additional padding ensures good blood circulation and a reduction of tension in the neck and throat.
Try it out. It doesn't cost much and is really worth the money! All the best in the fight against tension!
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