Discover The Whats and Hows of Shakti Mats: Finish Your Day Relaxed, Restored and Refreshed
People who have any kind of back or neck pain will often seek ways to relieve this pain in any way possible. They try massages, facials or the effective acupuncture but they can’t always afford them so the pain’s just gone for a while.
If you don’t like the whole needle experience of acupuncture, there’s now a not-so-invasive method called acupressure. This method involves a shakti acupressure mat and eliminates the needles and applies pressure to the pain points with small spikes. This is less stressful to the body and mind, and you don’t need anyone else to help you get the therapy.
How do Shakti Mats Work?
These mats are inexpensive and easy to find and order online, though you can buy them from brick-and-mortar stores too. They’re still relatively new on the market and not a lot of people know them. When you compare them to the other pain-relieving methods, these easy-to-use shakti mats are simple and have an incredible effect on your body. Basically, it’s a mat that has 4,000+ spikes layered all over it and they put pressure on different parts of your body.
Similar to massage balls and foam rollers, they promote blood flow and release tension. They derive from Chinese medicine and the concept is around 2,000 years old. They clear any blockage in your body through pressure and touch and stimulate the body to heal itself. Scientists would explain that this type of mat triggers the release of endorphins which fight the pain we get from the spikes. As you may know, endorphins help your body relax and give it energy.
How to Use Shakti Mats?
The neck, shoulders, back, and legs are the most common areas to use the shakti mat, but your entire body can benefit from it as well. Simply apply pressure to the mat to feel a deep warming feeling that will ease your muscles, calm your body, and aid in natural healing. The most popular way to use it is to lay on your back.
It’s very similar to a yoga mat, and you can place it on any surface. People often use it on the bed because of the soft cushioning underneath. It can be a great sleeping stimulant and prepare your body for a deep good night’s sleep. The duration of the therapy depends on you, but the recommended time frame is around 20 minutes.
The next use is for the shoulders and the neck. This is where the physical stress and tension are stored in most people. The shakti mat can be very helpful in this area. Buy the shakti pillow or just simply roll your mat to soothe any sore and tired muscles you got as a result of bad posture, everyday stress or simply exercise.
The mat has clipped disks and they let the spikes move so they can adjust to your curve of the neck at any time. The recommended timing for this method is 10+ minutes. You may be surprised, but very often people use this mat in their belly area. It usually lasts for about 5 minutes and it’s great if you have any discomfort in this part of your body.
Simply put it on the ground or on your bed, and lay flat on your stomach. This will relax the area and warm up the belly. This sensation will relieve any pain and relax the muscles. If you want to experiment with some new areas, just put the mat into a pillowcase in order to get used to it.
What to Consider When Buying?
Now that you know how the mat works and in which areas to use it, you should know what the most important things are to take into consideration when you buy shakti mats.
Material
Materials are a crucial consideration for almost any product you buy, so this is a big matter when it comes to these mats. The material can make or break the whole experience. Keep an eye on fabrics that are hypoallergenic on the outside, including cotton and linen. When it comes to the filling, the best option would be cotton or coconut fibre, because these materials can hold their texture for a long time. You could also find plastic and polystyrene mats that are highly durable.
Dimension
This is an important factor because it’ll affect how much of your body the mat will cover. That’s why, the mat’s width and length are crucial, especially if you’re tall and likely to have a rather wide back. A mat that doesn’t completely cover your back won’t give the optimum result. The safest way to choose the dimension is to measure your back, or any other large area you plan on treating and go from there.
Number of Pressure Points
As we said before, one mat can have more than 4,000 spikes. This number can influence the stimulating potential of the shakti mat and pillow. In this case, it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality, or harmony to be exact. Acupressure needs to be harmonious to give the optimal result. If you’re not sure about the spike number, talk to the retailer and they’ll explain everything you need to know and lead you to the best possible option for your current pain.
Cleaning
Keeping this mat clean is very important. It’s something you’ll be using very often which is bound to result in a lot of sweat and dirt. Over time, this will lead to the development of bacteria and can cause serious issues to your skin. When you buy the mat, make sure that the outer layer can be removed and washed.
The material should be strong and durable to withstand many washing cycles and drying. It shouldn’t peel or lose its firmness for a long time. The safest way to wash the mat is to do it by hand, since a washing machine can sometimes damage the fibres after several washing times.
What are the Benefits?
The benefits may vary from one person to another, but you’ll feel them without question. Are acupressure mats worth it? Absolutely yes. They’ll relieve anxiety and pain, and improve your sleeping habits and sleeping quality. If you have migraines they’ll ease the pain and restore blood flow into the brain.
You’ll feel an increase in your energy levels and of course, any tension and pain in the shoulders, neck and back will be relieved. This mat is not a cure for some chronic diseases, but it’ll surely relieve any muscle pain if you use it a couple of times a week.