Can An Acupressure Mat Really Help You Stress Less And Sleep Better?

Imagine lying down on a padded mat dotted with hundreds of sharp plastic spikes. It’s not the most relaxing thought, but many people swear by acupressure mats and their purported benefits, which range from reducing stress to promoting better sleep to relieving chronic pain.

What is acupressure?

Like acupuncture, acupressure involves manipulating pressure points but without breaking the skin. The practice has been used for thousands of years and many swear by the benefits of using an acupressure mat.

In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed that your “qi,” or life force, flows through your body via 20 major pathways or “meridians.” Acupressure practitioners apply pressure on specific points along those meridians to treat different health concerns, says Angela M. Cheung, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and director of the Integrative Medicine Program at University Health Network. “It’s usually done for ailments that [can be managed at home], like nausea and headaches.”

The body has 361 pressure points, which are associated with various benefits. There’s one between your thumb and forefinger that, when manipulated, is said to alleviate headaches, and another located approximately four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone that’s connected to relief from menstrual cramps.

(Photo: Courtesy Shakti)

How do acupressure mats work?

An acupressure mat is designed to target many pressure points at once. It can be used in different ways to treat different body parts—lying on it will stimulate the acupressure points by the spine, which can help with back pain relief, while standing on it will hit the stress-relieving spots on the bottoms of the feet. There are also spike-covered pillows made for the neck.

Acupressure therapy is safe and shouldn’t hurt, though it might be uncomfortable. (Pregnant people are advised to consult their doctor before trying it.)

Are acupressure mats worth it?

When it comes to efficacy, the jury’s still out on acupressure. Cheung notes that there aren’t a lot of studies that support the claim that acupressure has health benefits. And there is even less research on the efficacy of acupressure mats—one study published in 2023 found that their use decreased perceived stress but not psychophysiological stress (meaning that while participants experienced better sleep and concentration, their blood pressure, heart rate and pain tolerance didn’t change significantly).

Cheung’s verdict? If an acupressure mat helps you feel less stressed, use it—but don’t expect it to heal everything that ails you.

Shakti Premium Accupressure Mat, $149

Shakti is a Canadian company whose acupressure mats are ethically sourced and made by hand in India and come with a 60-day return policy and five-year warranty. They're also available in a variety of colours.