Do Acupressure Mats Actually Work?

You Should Know: Lying down on spiky yoga mats, a.k.a. acupressure mats (check out this high-end example), is surging in popularity in the world of wellness. These mats, modeled after the ancient medicine practice of acupuncture, are designed in ways intended to stimulate acupuncture points on the body. A quick search on social media turns up thousands of videos of red, dimpled skin and videos of users saying they feel rejuvenated, healed, relaxed, or otherwise positively influenced. 

Going Deeper: While oodles of anecdotal evidence — read: personal stories — circulate the internet, very little empirical evidence backs up the purported benefits of acupressure mats. Any positive effects, like reduced blood pressure or increased feelings of relaxation, are more likely due to the simple act of lying down and, well, relaxing. What little clinical evidence we do have suggests that acupressure mats may work by triggering a parasympathetic response and increasing pain tolerance.  

Takeaway: Using an acupressure mat is, in most cases, unlikely to be harmful. And sometimes, anecdotal evidence is all we need. If spending time on a spiky mat makes you feel better — and you’re not at risk of any complications due to existing health conditions, like high blood pressure — then by all means, enjoy the prickle.