What are the best basic acupressure mat positions? (UK)

The acupressure mat is a simple product to use, with multiple benefits and few contraindications if people are aware of its limitations and the minimum conditions of use. The best thing about the mat is that you can get relief just by lying on it.

To get the most out of the acupressure mat, we will show you which are the basic positions you can do at home, without the supervision of a physiotherapist. In addition, you will learn which injuries and pains you can treat with this product.

What are the benefits of using the acupressure mat every day?

When it comes to greater relaxation and adjusting the blood supply, as well as the metabolic system, acupressure mats do an excellent job in the short and medium term.

Find out the rest of the advantages of using this product:

• Soothes pain: as long as it is not chronic pain, the pain receptors react to the stimulation and stop sending signals to the brain and spinal cord. The mat acts as a temporary analgesic while the source of the pain is being treated.
• Protects soft tissues: this is achieved by increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients that are transported through the bloodstream. This benefit also results in a shorter than expected tissue recovery time for minor injuries.
• Regulates temperature: when 10 minutes have passed since the start of the session, the temperature stops being local and becomes general, keeping the muscle fibres active without the need for sweating or physical activity.
• Relieves specific injuries: plantar fasciitis and lower back pain, to mention two of the most common ailments, can be treated with sessions on the acupressure mat. If you have doubts about what other cases the mats can be used for, it is best to seek the advice of a medical specialist.
• Regulates metabolism: this is one of the long-term benefits, the constant stimulation of the circulation, lymphatic system and temperature makes the body better able to channel the energy that enters the body through food.
• Reduces stress: This is a great product for people with very intense work routines, who come home at night with tired, fatigued and aching feet. If routines are varied, the mat can be used every day for relaxation.
• It complements yoga: Yoga and Pilates experts often use the acupressure mat to amplify the benefits of these practices on the body, helping people to eliminate muscle knots and improve blood flow.
• Improves sleep: daily use of this product helps people get a better night's sleep. This occurs by controlling stress, tension and reducing pains such as migraines that disturb the sleep of people who feel a lot of stress during the day.

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The best positions and exercises to do on the acupressure mat

In most cases, you don't need to do complex exercise routines and movements to enjoy this mat. Here are the basic positions you can do at home.

Lying on your back

This is the simplest position you can do at home or in the office, just place the acupressure mat on the floor and lie on it on your back. Your legs and arms should be fully stretched out with a slight opening.

If the mat is smaller, it doesn't matter if your feet and hands are outside the mat, the important thing is that it covers the largest area where there is body mass so that the stimulation is uniform. This position can be held for 15 minutes without movement.

Lying face down

With this position you favour the abdomen, the quadriceps, the fascia at the level of the tibia and the forefoot. When you change position, you allow the stimulation to be uniform, although the circulation improves considerably no matter where you stimulate with the mat.

Remember to protect your chin and ears, as these parts of the body should not receive stimulation. Use your hands to rest your head for a relaxing and safe session for your face.

Sitting with your legs stretched out

This is another of the safest positions you can do, you just need to place the mat on the floor and sit on it. Position the mat so that there is stimulation to the tissues near the hamstrings, hamstrings and calves.

This will regulate blood circulation and blood pressure directly in the lower limbs. It also relieves pain when people have sciatica, which affects mobility in the lower back, buttocks and legs.

Yoga Sun Salutation

Actually, there are 12 sequential positions that people perform until they complete the sun salutation. In each of the sequences, the mat is held still, there is no need to adjust its placement to stimulate the different parts of the body.

Although the movements in yoga are gentle, it is important to note that when using the acupressure mat, transitions must be careful to avoid inappropriate movements that may injure the skin and the more superficial tissues.

Yoga Warrior Pose

The work with this position concentrates on the feet, where the mat can have the best muscle relaxation, myofascial and stimulating effect to increase blood circulation. Although the person remains standing and the benefits appear to be localised, in reality the improvement is felt throughout the body.

Remember that you should only perform stimulations for a maximum of 15 minutes, although for the feet you can reduce this time due to the fact that the arch of the foot is more sensitive.

Yoga Marichyasana

Although it is a more complex position, the acupressure mat achieves better stimulation of the circulatory system in the lower limbs, from the ischia to the calves of the calf. The work even extends to the feet when you make transitions.

If you are a regular yoga practitioner, you will know that this posture will prevent you from having fluid retention in your legs due to poor venous return. The sequence of the posture will determine how long you use the mat.

Yoga Tadasana

Also called mountain pose because it requires the person to stand and stretch upwards, with the hands raised as high as possible. The acupressure mat will only stimulate the plantar arch, but the benefits are felt throughout the body.

The entry and exit of the body to the mat should be done gently, remembering that the soles of the feet are a very sensitive area. Similarly, during trunk and arm stretches.

What types of injuries and pains can be relieved by using the Lotus flower mat?

From the moment you start using the mat, your mind will become more aware of how the body works and what to do to treat different ailments and injuries:

• Muscle contractures: caused by overwork and exercise, the mat is ideal for unbunching the muscle fibres that cause pain and discomfort in people. When using this product, you will notice how it widens the range of joint mobility in any part of the body.
• Lumbago: it occurs after lifting an object suddenly and from sitting for many hours a day. The mat helps to soothe the generalised pain in the lower back that limits twisting and even walking becomes uncomfortable.
• Migraine: caused by muscle contractions in the cervical spine, a condition that affects the vast majority of people suffering from stress and anxiety. Often, it is not enough to treat migraine with drugs, so people resort to the mat.
• Swelling in the legs: this is a sign that people have vascular problems that require prompt treatment with the acupressure mat. Just by resting on the mat, there will be an increase in blood circulation through the vessels and veins.
• Insomnia: people who feel constant episodes of stress and anxiety often have trouble falling asleep, which triggers a whole series of pathologies and risks to people's physical and mental health.
• It speeds up recovery from injuries: a greater amount of nutrients and oxygenation in the body makes the tissues function better. In addition, in the event of injury, it speeds up cell regeneration so that injuries are temporary.
• They control nausea and vomiting: when people have digestive problems, dizziness and heartburn are common after eating any type of food. Frequent practice of yoga with the acupressure mat makes the digestive system work better and the dizziness and vomiting are not so constant.