When Taylor Swift was on her Eras Tour, she did 149 shows, each lasting 3.5 hours. As a wellness editor, this left me with one question: What is Swift doing to recover from these physically demanding performances? My answer came when the singer appeared on the Aug. 13 episode of Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast. The singer shared that along with toe spacers, she uses an acupressure mat after shows.
Curious about what an acupressure mat can do for the body, I reached out to Dr. Jenelle Kim, a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, who says the mat is a modern, accessible version of acupressure that “stimulates hundreds of tiny points that line up with the body’s meridian pathways: the energetic channels we work with in traditional East Asian medicine.” It can encourage the flow of qi (our vital energy), increase circulation, ease tight muscles, soften fascia (the body’s connective tissue) and guide the body into a restorative state.
I’ve had acupuncture before and experienced a reduction in back and wrist pain, but would an acupressure mat provide similar benefits? To find out, Gaiam sent me its acupressure mat and pillow set ($28), which I’ve been testing for over two months. I also consulted experts to address my residual questions.
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How do you use an acupressure mat?
The acupressure mat and pillow have a simple design: a foam core covered in fabric with plastic circles that have hundreds of sharp nodes protruding from them. After placing the mat on a flat, non-slip surface (I used a yoga mat), you lie down or sit on it with either bare skin or a light layer of clothing.
The sharp nodules coming out of the acupressure mat. Anna Gragert/CNET
Since my back is where I have the most tension, I started there while wearing a thin shirt. As I lay down on the mat, I felt a pang of discomfort when the nodes came in contact with my skin. I wouldn’t say it was painful, though. Once I was fully inert, a relaxing sensation flowed through my body, and I could no longer feel the tension in my back.
Acupressure mat benefits I experienced
For my first session, I started with 15 minutes, and I enjoyed every second of it. I felt calm and grounded, especially since I chose not to use my phone or read a book while on the mat, allowing my body and mind to melt into the moment and remain present. Instead, I focused on my breathing, since Gaiam instructs you not to hold your breath when using an acupressure mat.
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