Opinions on Acupressure Mats?

Lccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 08:47
Last edited 19/08/2020 - 08:48

Hey Ozbargainers,

Quick background: often get headaches / sore back + neck due to sitting in chairs for long periods of time (I've been working on my posture quite a bit recently)

Came across the concept of an 'acupressure mat' the other day, there are loads of companies selling them; one example is https://www.neptuneblanket.com.au/products/neptune-acupressu…
Of course I'm skeptical of the benefits being toted by the companies that sell them.

I don't know anyone who has bought one of these, and 'reliable' sources seem to be hard to find. The best I could find were
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/acupressure-mat
and
https://www.healthline.com/health/acupressure-mat which seem to say that 'may work, may not'.

Any ozbargainers have positive / negative experiences with them?

Poll Options

  • 4
    I've had a positive experience
  • 0
    I've had a negative experience
  • 8
    I've never even heard of pointy mats before
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Elwes on 19/08/2020 - 09:16
    +2

    It might help you maintain a better posture by forcing you to distribute your weight more evenly. If you find it comfortable, that's reason enough to buy a cheap one.
    But don't spend a fortune on "acupressure" that targets certain points. Those are meant to be where the "qi" flows through your body i.e. bullshit.

    • Banana on 19/08/2020 - 14:16
      +1

      I second this comment. Also work on the specific muscles, you are probably straining them. Do some targeted muscle group training can help to strength the muscles and lessen the pain.

      Consider a standing desk option, if you can't afford the real deal, just prop your equipment up using some boxes, an hour a day after lunch.

      Set up timers so you are taking 10 minutes break for every hour you're working. Or even better, drink plenty of liquid throughout the day, your bladder will set hourly reminder for you to get up of your chair.

      • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:15

        Good suggestion with the break reminders, that was the first thing my osteopath suggested. I've been using a program called 'workrave' for the last few weeks to force me to get up every hour and walk around.

        I was also considering a standing desk, but he said that you get basically the same benefits by standing up and stretching every hour, but I do have an alert on OzBargain for standing desk đŸ˜‚

        • Banana on 19/08/2020 - 15:21

          On the headache part, are the computer screens at your eye level? If not, look down or up for a long period of time can cause muscle straining on your neck and shoulder, and subsequently leads to headache. I once had a sore neck for two weeks because I stopped using external monitor at work and looked down for 8 hours a day.

          • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:29

            @Banana: Yep they're pretty much at eye level (I use monitor arms), but I think I sometimes just get a bit lazy and hunch over slightly at the desk. Yeah I used my laptop for a week of development one time when I needed to use Linux and I could definitely feel a difference after that!

  • nsta8487 on 19/08/2020 - 09:38
    +1

    I purchased one for myself after trying it out at a friends house and really enjoying it. I can't vouch for it treating headaches, but I do find it relaxing and it does feel like it looses my back up. Some people find that they dislike the sensation, so I'd maybe try getting a cheaper ~$20 one off Amazon or eBay to see if you like it first.
    The first few times you use it may start out uncomfortable, then after about 5 minutes you may feel very warm. I've found that it takes 20-30 minutes before you feel a noticeable release of everything loosening up.
    The only other tip I have would be that apparently a good technique to use is to "scrunch" your back up as you lie down on it (shoulder blades together, chest out) and then relax from there. Good luck!

    • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:17

      Thanks for that! I'm leaning toward exactly this, at this point I've thrown a fair bit of money at the problem (fancy new chair, osteopath etc) so that amount of money can't hurt even if all it does is relax my back muscles and not cure the headaches :)

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2020 - 10:10
    +2

    As per Elwes, the value of the mat is probably the fact you are lying flat on a relatively firm surface.

    I use a wooden floor. It works.

    • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:19

      Hm good point, I'll start doing that as of tonight (I've been standing straight up against wall as part of breaks between using computer, but floor is a good suggestion thanks)

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2020 - 15:20
        +1

        Make sure it is a warm floor. A cold floor could cause you more aches.

        Think old people and cold days.

        • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:24

          Very true, I've got a thin rug I can lay on, thanks tshow!

  • brendanm on 19/08/2020 - 10:25
    +1

    I have one, hurts like the Dickens for the first few minutes, then you get used to it. I've fallen asleep using it. It is very relaxing, and does seem to help my back.

    • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:21

      No pain no gain right? I wonder if it'll be as painful as when the osteo 'massages' me (I swear he's trying to pull the muscles off of my skeleton). Thanks for the feedback :)

  • Kenny Powers on 19/08/2020 - 10:54
    +1

    I've had one for about a year. I dont use it that much but when I do, I feel it helps out with back pain. Not sure on headaches.

    • ccarnage on 19/08/2020 - 15:23

      Thanks for that info, yeah the key part for me is the neck + shoulder area that gets very tight, so hopefully if it relaxes up a bit will help the headaches!

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