Acupressure Mat

Someone special gave me one of these a while ago...a surprise to be given a bed of nails as a gift...but what a gift! I use this for 10-20 minutes most nights before bed, especially when I'm feeling restless and it really helps me to relax. It takes a bit of time to get used to the spikes, but after awhile it becomes easy. I highly recommend giving it a go if you are feeling stressed or finding it difficult to sleep.

Here's the official product blurb from the Yoga Matters web site (although you can get these from lots of places)

"The acupressure spiky mat is a modern take on the traditional Indian ‘bed of nails’ technique and is fast becoming a popular tool for self-healing, relaxation and meditation. The ‘spikes’ work in a similar way to acupuncture by ‘waking up’ the body - restoring its pranic flow and directing blood to areas in need of healing.
The pressure of the ‘spikes’ is also said to release endorphins. Known as the ‘happy hormone’, endorphins not only make you feel energized and joyful, they also stimulate the release of oxytocin, which will help you feel calm and relaxed. Endorphins are also natural painkillers, so will soothe away aches, niggles and tensions throughout your body. Some users find that regular use of a spiky mat alleviates muscle pain.

To reap the benefits of your spiky mat, lie on the mat for 20-40 minutes at least a couple of times a week. Regular use of the acupressure mat will induce relaxation and self-healing quicker. It should feel ‘nicely painful’ to lie on the mat, but everyone has different pain thresholds, so experiment with lying on a towel until you find the right level of sensation. The ‘spikes’ have a rounded tip, so can’t hurt you, however people with sensitive skin, haemophilia or psoriasis should use the mat with caution. "