Release endorphins, relieve tension, activate self-healing powers: acupressure mats should be real all-rounders.
But what is the study situation like?
Acupuncture has a long tradition in Chinese medicine. Acupuncture needles are pierced into certain areas of the skin, which is intended to release blockages in the body's energy flow and thus loosen muscles, regulate blood pressure, lift mood and relax organs. Acupuncture is also said to have a pain-relieving effect. To draw the bow to the acupressure mat: Acupressure is a method that is closely related to acupuncture. However, it works without the need to insert needles into the skin.
By activating certain acupressure points on the skin through pressure, health-promoting effects are to be achieved
.
According to acupressure enthusiasts, the procedure is said to relax body and mind, reduce stress, increase well-being and relieve physical discomfort.
The manufacturers of acupressure mats promise to relieve tension, stimulate blood circulation, activate self-healing powers and alleviate migraines and sleep disorders by using their product.
This is a mat the size of a towel that is equipped with pointed knobs made of hard plastic
.
Usually you lie down on this modern nail board, which is also known as a fakir mat.
Die-hard people stand on it.
What sounds more like torture than a pleasant experience, gathers a not small fan base around it.
The study situation does not yet allow a comprehensive assessment of the Fakir mat effects, but scientists were able to demonstrate a benefit in one area in particular.
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Acupuncture and tongue diagnosis: How does traditional Chinese medicine work?
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Survey on the topic of acupressure mat
Needle mats for back pain: benefit proven in 40-participant study
The use of an acupressure mat is said to actually provide relief for neck and back pain. This is the result of a German-Norwegian study from 2012. The scientists around Claudia Hohmann from the Chair of Complementary and Integrative Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen had 40 patients with chronic neck pain and 42 patients with chronic back pain randomly either the acupressure Assigned to the treatment group or the control group.
After 14 days and after evaluating the pain scores, which the subjects rated using rating scales (NRS), the researchers concluded according to the study
: "The NRS scores were significantly reduced in the treatment groups compared to the control groups".
It should be noted, however, that the German-Norwegian study cannot be classified as representative due to the small number of study participants.
Nancy Selfridge of Ross University School of Medicine in the West Indies lists other areas of treatment where acupressure can provide relief.
According to clinical studies by the department for integrated medical training, the following symptoms
suggest that acupressure can be of benefit:
Pain (such as back pain, labor pain, and menstrual pain)
fatigue
insomnia
diabetic symptoms such as abnormal total cholesterol levels
(jg)
