In 2024, I saw an acupuncturist for the first time after years of denying I would ever attempt it. I was instantly captivated after my first session, which I had sought out to ease back tension. I knew right away that once a month wasn’t enough for me to experience the muscle-relaxing benefits; I needed to figure out how to receive the same effects more frequently. I tried compression boots, which only helped my legs, an afoam roller, which didn’t penetrate my muscles deeply enough, and an amassage gun, which was hard to hold behind me. It soon became clear that I required an acupressure mat.
Acupressure mats appear uncomfortable at first glance since they are made of cushioned cloth with tiny spikes protruding from it. But after looking around online, I decided to get Wthn’s Acupressure Mat Set because it’s the closest thing to acupuncture I could do at home.I used to possess a body cupping kit from the company and I often go to their studios in New York City.
I haven’t put the mat away since I began using it almost a year ago. I use it as part of my recovery regimen after working out, and I sleep on it every day to relax after stooping over my computer and phone at work. I’ve persuaded many friends and family members to purchase one, and I’ll set out my mat for them to use right away if they come over complaining of back pain.
GO Ahead and SkipWhat is the Wthn Acupressure Mat Set? How do I use it? Why do I enjoy it? What’s the bottom line? Why should I trust NBC Select?
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What is the Wthn Acupressure Mat Set?
Wthn Acupressure Mat Set
The Wthn’s Acupressure Mat Set ($78) includes a bolster pillow and a rectangle mat that measures 16 by 9 by 9 inches. When you equally distribute your weight across the spiky plastic discs covering each, pressure points throughout your body are activated. According to the brand, using the mat leads to better sleep and less stress by reducing shoulder, neck, and back pain, improving circulation, and encouraging mental and physical relaxation.
The cushion is packed with memory foam, which makes it comfortable and supportive, and the mat is composed of linen and coconut fiber. The package comes with a drawstring storage/carrying bag and a how-to instruction. Simply roll up the mat with the pillow inside, wrap the bundle in two elastic bands, and then place it into the bag. If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use it to pay for the Wthn’s Acupressure Mat Set.
How I use Wthn s Acupressure Mat Set
For optimal effects, Wthn advises use its acupressure mat for 20 to 30 minutes per day. I usually stick to that schedule, or extend it if I’m feeling really tense and tight. I unfold the mat and lay it out on the wood floors of my flat. Instead of using it on a soft surface with some give, like a couch or mattress, the manufacturer advises using it on a level, firm surface, like the floor. I then slowly recline after sitting close to the mat’s edge with my legs extended in front of me. At five feet four inches tall, I place the pillow beneath my neck to support my head, and the mat covers my entire back, from my shoulders to my hips. I usually set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes and use my phone to conduct a guided meditation, watch TV, or listen to music while I lay on the mat.
While using my computer, I’ve tried leaning against a strong chair with the acupressure mat standing against the back, but I don’t find this to be nearly as pleasant or useful as reclining on top of the mat horizontally.
Why I love Wthn s Acupressure Mat Set
Effective physical and mental benefits
My feelings following an in-person acupuncture session are best described as jello. I become looser and more flexible as my entire body relaxes, and I become calmer as my thoughts becomes quieter. After using my acupressure mat at home, I experience a very same feeling.
After a few minutes of lying on the mat, my body adjusts to it, allowing me to find a comfortable posture and let go of tension that I had been unwittingly carrying about all day. While its spikes are powerful enough to provide pressure in all the proper locations, they are also soft enough not to pierce my skin or cause pain. The spikes on other acupressure mats I’ve used were sharper and more aggressive, which made using them much less fun. Furthermore, even though Whn’s mat simply covers my back, I can feel its effects throughout my entire body because lying flat on the ground helps me release tightness in my limbs.
I also have to lie still for twenty to thirty minutes. Being a chronic multitasker, I try to accomplish two or more things at once, which makes it difficult for me to actually unwind. However, I am unable to move or try to cross something off my to-do list while using my acupressure mat. It has helped me find time to turn off my thoughts and has brought a much-needed mindfulness moment into my hectic days.
Superior neck support
I definitely have tech neck from stooping over my phone to browse. Additionally, utilizing the pillow that comes with my acupressure mat helps offset some of the strain that I put on my muscles and joints by constantly craning my neck toward a computer, even though I have no intention of quitting that nasty habit.
In the area between my head and shoulders, the cushion is the ideal fit beneath my neck. When I use the mat, it helps me align my upper body so that my spine remains straight instead of curved, keeping my torso level with the floor when I’m lying down. The neck pillow’s spikes press into the base of my neck and up through the bottom of my head, keeping me from sinking into it. Even when I use it alone, it truly functions as an extension of the acupressure mat. For added support, I occasionally place it under my neck while I’m lying on the couch.
Elevated design
Although they are made of different materials and come in a variety of colors and sizes, all acupressure mats have a similar appearance. However, the cost of acupressure mats varies from less than $20 to more than $100. For contrast, a highly regarded model on Amazon from ProsourceFit is $29.99, and the Wthn s is $78. I could have easily purchased a less expensive one. However, I was drawn to the linen mat’s general organic appearance, and since I frequently display it in my living room, I’m glad I chose one that isn’t an eyesore.
Rather than something you might get in a physical therapist’s office, it feels more like a wellness treatment you’d receive at a resort. It’s so useful and well-made that I often suggest it as a present. Even though I use it every day, it has remained in fantastic shape for the past year or so.
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The bottom line
Anyone would benefit from including an acupressure mat, such as Wthn’s, into their daily self-care regimen, in my opinion. It is a low-effort method to ease tense muscles and calms the body and mind, two things that everyone could probably use a little more of. All you need to do is lie on the mat for 20 to 30 minutes; there are no specific instructions or techniques to master. I look forward to the time I set aside to utilize my acupressure mat and freshen up, even on my busiest days when I can’t get in a full thirty minutes.
Why trust NBC Select?
Since 2020, I have been a wellness and fitness writer for NBC Select, covering subjects like running sneakers, Pilates equipment, posture correctors, and exercise mats. I often test items and discuss my own experiences using them in my daily life. For example, I’ve been using Wthn’s Acupressure Mat Set for nearly a year.
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