Acupressure Mat - Info

Any time I show or mention my acupressure mat I get a TON of questions so I thought I'd do a quick blog post that can "live" here and that I can refer people back to.

I started seeing target ads for acupressure mats a couple of summers ago and started to do some research on how to use them as well as the benefits.  As someone with headaches and who carries stress in their back I decided to try it out and OH MY WORD I love it.

So here’s the deal… it hurts.  Like a lot. I lay on mine with my back totally exposed and it definitely is uncomortable at first but then it gets tingly and warm as the blood starts to go to that area and then it’s SO GOOD.  When I was reading reviews I’d see people say “I sleep on it” and I was like, “yeah, no” - well I can proudly report that I doze off pretty much nightly. I put on some calming music, put the mat on my my bed, turn off the lights and lay on it for about 20 minutes and I look forward to that time all day.  I have the mat and the neck pillow and I lay on it with my back bare which is pretty intense but again, once you’re through that first 5 minutes it’s awesome.  I’ve definitely noticed a reduction in my shoulder tension and I think having those calm 20 minutes really helps me get into a relaxed mode for the night. 

The first two days I used it I felt kind of icky after (almost like after a really good massage) but I drank a bunch of water and it passed quickly.  

I’ve also stood on the mat at the end of a long day and it absolutely helps with tired feet.

This summer I bought the  acupressure headband that helps with headaches.  On days when I was really struggling with a headache I found myself trying to balance the pillow on my forehead or laying my temple on it so I was THRILLED when I saw this.  It's a single row of the pressure "roses" (that's how I always think of them) and it velcros in the back so you can adjust it.  Fair warning - your forehead will look AWFUL when you take it off (just like your back does after you lay on the mat) but it really helps me and it's fairly inexpensive for what it is.

Short and sweet but if you have any questions let me know! And if you have an experience with using the mat leave that in the comments as well.  

HAPPY Tuesday, friends!