Acupressure mats are foam mats with thousands of short plastic needles that you can stand, sit, or lay down on for anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to stimulate your body. While the best acupressure mats on the market today tout a number of benefits, from helping reduce minor aches and pains to supporting better rest and relaxation for those who use them, if you’re someone who has never tried one out before, you may be wondering how effective they are, or how they compare to the actual experience of going to an acupuncturist.
According to Physio Logic NYC’s acupuncturist and chiropractor Dr. Allison Heffron, D.C., L.Ac., the differences between acupuncture and using mats are significant.
“When you go to an acupuncturist, you’re getting a very specific diagnosis,” says Heffron. “You’re choosing very specific points for a very specific individual for their diagnosis. An acupressure mat is a little too much of a neurological input for your body to be able to translate that into something useful.”
For people who are interested in using acupressure mats, thousands of people find them to be a great way to relax and unwind. Heffron says “There’s no harm in getting a mat, especially if someone is unsure about acupuncture.”
If you’re eager to experience what it’s like to lay down on a modern-day bed of nails, this list of some of the more popular mats out there and what people are saying about them can be a good way to get started.