Relaxed after the birth: acupressure mats against tension and stress
Acupressure mats can be a real blessing for you as a new mother. They are said to have a calming effect, reduce stress and anxiety, and relieve pain. We present various models for at home and reveal why the mats can be particularly good for you after pregnancy.
Back pain, lack of sleep and stress – it is not uncommon for mothers to be overwhelmed by the new circumstances after giving birth and first have to get used to the unfamiliar pressures. An acupressure mat can help here and give you moments of relaxation.
Thousands of spikes on the mat gently stimulate the skin and stimulate blood circulation. Just a few minutes on the massage mat can help release tension and reduce stress.
We will show you various acupressure mats that are suitable for a relaxing massage at home.
Note: Please note that the effectiveness of the acupressure mats has not yet been proven in scientific studies and it is not recommended to use the mat during pregnancy.
Comparison of different acupressure mats
Shakti acupressure mat
The Shakti mat is the classic among the acupressure mats. It is made from organic cotton and owes its color to natural plant dyes. The plates each have 27 tips made of non-toxic ABS plastic. The ShaktiMat is handcrafted under fair conditions in a women’s workshop in India
Tomshoo acupressure mat
Tomshoo’s relaxing neck pillow and mat set is our best value for money. More than 7800 plastic tips stimulate blood circulation and relieve tension. The pillow and mat can either be used together for a soothing full-body massage, or separately for a targeted treatment of individual areas of the body. The Tomshoo mat is a good entry-level model for anyone who wants to try the prickly massage.
Eco-friendly acupressure mat
The ecological mat from Fit & Fine consists of natural coconut fibres, which are particularly durable and also resistant to mites and fungi. Thanks to its XL length of 88 cm, the mat is longer than conventional acupressure mats. The ergonomic pillow gently supports your head and neck. In the enclosed booklet you will find a variety of exercises for the back, abdomen, legs and feet.
Use of an acupressure mat
For a relaxing acupressure massage, simply lay the mat on a flat surface, for example on the bed or on the sofa. For greater pressure, you can also lay the mat directly on the hard floor.
For beginners, a soft introduction to the use of the acupressure mat is recommended. Here you first sit in front of the mat and then slowly put your back down. The mat should reach at least from the loins to the shoulders. You can do this either with a thin top or even with your bare back on it. You lay your head on a comfortable pillow or you use a special acupressure pillow.
At the beginning, the treatment with the sharp needles can still feel uncomfortable, but even as a beginner it is advisable to start with a treatment duration of around ten minutes. Advanced users can increase the duration and even spend 45 to 60 minutes on the mat.
After about ten minutes on the mat, a feeling of relaxation should set in and feelings of happiness will be released. If your skin is red after the application, this is quite normal, because the treated body regions are heavily supplied with blood.
Acupressure tip for tense feet
After the birth, your body may still be suffering from the stresses of the extra weight it carried during pregnancy. This quickly leads to tension. An acupressure mat can also be used here. To do this, place the mat in front of a seat where you can sit comfortably and your feet are firmly on the floor. Now place your feet carefully on the mat – either barefoot or with stockings. Now slowly exert more or less pressure on different zones of your feet. Take a few minutes for the foot massage, breathe deeply and evenly and lean back and relax.
What is acupressure?
Acupressure is a proven healing method from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM for short), in which the body’s self-healing powers are activated through targeted pressure on certain points.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, every living being has “Qi”, i.e. life energy. This energy flows through the body via various channels, so-called meridians, and keeps it functional. According to this theory, if the flow of energy is blocked, imbalances or illnesses arise.
The aim of acupressure is to balance physical or mental imbalance so that the life energy “Qi” can flow freely again and the body’s self-healing powers can work. This means that acupressure can be used for a wide range of ailments. In contrast to acupuncture , in which fine needles are pricked into the skin, you can also carry out acupressure yourself as a beginner.