Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Working out regularly is how I stay emotionally regulated, even though it feels like I’m constantly trying to fend off stress. But when I can’t fit in a standard workout, spending a few moments on my acupressure mat can feel like the next best thing.
I’ll be honest: I secretly rolled my eyes when a friend gifted me the mat and said it would help me relax. But after weeks sitting in my closet, I decided to try the mat out—and I was hooked. It felt uncomfortable at first, but I found that the mat’s sensation gave me a feeling similar to a runner’s high when I could zone out and just go with it.
Not familiar with an acupressure mat? They’re not totally mainstream, but they’re building up a following with health-conscious people who need help chilling out (me, hi). Acupressure mats are foam mats that are covered with thousands of small, sharp plastic spikes, explains Dayna McCarthy, DO, an osteopathic and sports medicine physician at Parsley Health.
Those spikes are designed to stimulate pressure points on your body, with the ultimate goal of lowering stress. The mats may even help relieve muscle aches and pains by targeting pressure points, says Jamie Bacharach, a licensed acupuncturist. When you lie or stand on an acupressure mat, those spikes create a firm pressure on hundreds of points across your skin, McCarthy says.
It’s important to get this out of the way: There isn’t a robust body of research to support the use of acupressure mats. Still, plenty of people swear by them. So, if you’re dealing with back pain that won’t quit, go get that checked out with a doctor instead of lying on a spiky mat hoping things will improve.
But if you like the idea of a naturopathic way to ease muscle soreness and de-stress, there’s really no reason not to try one of these mats. They’re budget-friendly and an interesting way to try to manage minor health issues. Bacharach says to avoid using acupressure mats to treat sudden acute conditions (such as a sprain, strain, or broken bone), while pregnant women and those with skin or heart disorders need to consult a doctor before use.
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