Acupressure Mat for Stress and Pain Relief, Deep Relaxation and Wellness

Acupressure mat or nail bed or spike mat is a product based on the Indian tradition of a bed of nails. The bed of nails is an ancient tool with its roots in Indian mysticism. With its origin, dating back thousands of years, the bed of nails is a well tested tool for healing the body and releasing emotional, physical and mental blockages, used for relaxation exercises, meditation and yoga.

Nowadays it is not the wood and iron nail variety used by Hindu fakirs, but instead a modern variation that usually consists of a light foam rubber pad, covered in cotton sacking and embedded with small, hard plastic disks with sharp little spines or spikes

The first use of the nowadays version of the Acupressure mat called Kuznetsov Applicator was invented by Ivan Kuznetsov in Soviet Union in the 1980s. In the late 1990s, with the spread of liberation following the failure of the Soviet Union Acupressure mats began to be popular in a wide range of former Soviet Block countries and beyond.

Today the popularity of Acupressure mats are spreading worldwide with their use sweeping across Scandinavia, Western Europe, America and Australia.

This popularity of Acupressure mats is explained by their extreme simplicity and fantastic effectiveness. Unlike most drugs, relief is usually immediate.

There are dozens of different types, sizes, modifications and names of the acupressure mat. Following terms are used to mean the same: Tibetan acupressure mat, Acupressure mat, Shakti mat, Spike mat, Pressure Relief Mat, Swedish Acupressure mat, Fakir mat,Yantra mat.

Acupressure mat sessions may improve your overall well-being, especially if you’re stressed out, experiencing insomnia, have muscle tension, stiffness, tension headache, back or neck pain, or simply need a better and more complete sleep and rest to obtain more daily energy.

Acupressure mat is an innovative and effective method that is ideal for both stress relief and stress prevention. It is your simple to use personal health device.

When we experience psychological, physical or inflammatory stress, our bodies increase production of the body’s stress hormones (adrenalin, cortisol and noradrenalin). High level of stress hormones especially cortisol levels impairs the immune response, raises blood pressure and blood sugar level, negatively influences metabolism, and results in muscle tension, aching muscles and joints. In addition, we become more sensitive to pain.

The Acupressure mat can be a solution to the vicious circle of stress hormone production.

Acupressure mat works by applying non penetrative acupressure on numerous points over an area of the body.

Pressure from the spines on the mat activates the body's own production of two substances: endorphins - "natural painkiller" hormone and oxytocin - "feel-good” hormone.

Endorphins relieve the pain and give a sense of physical well-being, while oxytocin help relax and wind down.

Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system.

Stress and pain are the two most common factors leading to the release of endorphins. However, when the body is out of balance due to chronic stress, it often experiences an endorphin deficit. Then it needs help to fight stress.

During the Acupressure mat session the endorphins (hormones of happiness or "natural pain killers") are released. Endorphins are effective in blocking pain and producing analgesia and a sense of well-being. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.

When levels of oxytocin rise, the levels of stress hormones in the body fall. Damaged or worn tissues are repaired and new cells grow where they are needed. Our pain threshold is raised, blood pressure falls, worries and anxieties decrease, sexual desire increases and we optimize our body’s performance and durability instead of manipulating it. Our body returns into physiological balance and we feel relaxed.

During the stressful times and especially if you live under chronic stress you tend to tense a muscles especially in shoulder area. Your muscles can repair and rebuild damaged muscle fibers when at rest. But your permanently tense muscles do never get a chance to rest and relax, or the intervals of rest are too few and too far between. This may lead to chronic aches and pain.

Pain is stress per se, which means that the stress response and body’s production of adrenalin, cortisol and noradrenalin never ceases. In addition, the level of oxytocin decreases, causing sexual desire to decline or disappear altogether. When oxytocin levels are reduced, levels of the harmful stress hormones are raised and the vicious circle starts.

Pressure from the spines on the Acupressure mat activates the body's own production of endorphins - "natural painkiller" hormone and oxytocin - "feel-good” hormone, and we experience pain relief.

You can also use the Acupressure mat for pure relaxation.

Use it when you find it difficult to wind down, or when you are feeling stressed and anxiousness. Try using the Acupressure mat before going to bed to help you fall asleep more easily and helps with insomnia.

Regular use of the Acupressure mat will help you relax and create a quicker self-healing process for your body, both physical and mental.

Regular usage of the Acupressure mat may provide many positive effects towards your well-being.

As a result of regular usage of the Acupressure mat you may achieve following benefits:

• · Reduced pain, including backache and tension headaches
• · Decreased muscular tension and stiffness
• · Stress and anxiety relief
• · Strengthened immune system
• · Improved blood circulation
• · Decreased inflammation
• · Increased metabolism and mental clarity
• · Lower blood pressure
• · Increased energy levels and decreased chronic fatigue
• · Improved sleep, especially stress induced insomnia
  
• · Deep sense of relaxation

Acupressure mat is very easy to use!

Simply lie on the mat or press it onto the area of the body affected, including arms and legs. The beneficial healing and relaxing effects of the Acupressure mat will be felt from the very first use.

• Place the Acupressure mat on a bed or a soft surface. For stronger effect, place it at on a hard surface (floor, etc.)
• Put a cloth between yourself and the Acupressure mat if necessary. You can adjust the thickness of the cloth according to your own pain levels. When you get used to the feeling, you can start using the Acupressure mat without a protective layer on it. This will, however, lessen the effect of the treatment. Put a rolled up towel or a pillow underneath the Acupressure Mat to support your neck
• Distribute your weight evenly from lower back to shoulders - lie down slowly and carefully. If desired, support part of your weight on your hands and elbows temporarily. Relax and do not move around. Sit back up and lie down again, if you wish to alter your position
• Lie in a comfortable position, so that your skin rests in contact with the acupressure points
• Relax and breathe deeply. You may feel some temporary discomfort, which will decrease and eventually go away when endorphins and oxytocin are released. The feeling of discomfort will shift to a warm sensation with light pressure.

You can use your Acupressure mat to reenergize and refresh yourself anytime, even during a short break at work! You will soon find that you may feel less stressed and more efficient at carrying out your tasks.

The second modality to use the Acupressure mat is to use it once or twice a day for a ‘course’ of between 14 and 21 days. Initially, 10-15 minutes on the mat may be enough, but you can gradually increase your sessions to 20-40 minutes. Although it is not dangerous to spend more time, or to fall asleep on the mat.

It is recommended that a break is taken between courses of 28 days. This will ensure the maximum effectiveness of each course. Many users report that their pain completely disappears during their first course and does not return!

Drink water or herbal tea after using the Acupressure mat.

As with any therapy or exercise, regularity is the key to success !

With regular use, deep, chronic tension and stress can be released and you can experience a long-lasting sense of ease and well-being.

Acupressure mat is beneficial for all ages.

Regular use of the Acupressure mat promotes the release of endorphins and oxytocin and, therefore, helps us to be more manage your stress better, be more relaxed, sleep better and be happier.

Dr.Inese Millere is Holistic Stress Management coach and consultant who assist women in leadership in creating stress management and work life balance strategies, and healthy lifestyle routines.

If you'd like to talk about coaching with me, please contact me directly at info@action4balance.com with a brief description of your situation.