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Acupressure Mat Reviews and Resources |
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The Shakti Acupressure Mat – The Modern Version of the ancient acupressure device the "Bed of Nails"
Over 500,000 Swedish users of the Swedish Shakti Mat, often referred to the spike mat or acupressure mat, have discovered what modern medicine is validating, that stimulation of the body’s acupressure points may release beneficial chemicals and hormones into our bloodstream that promote healing while providing relief from pain, stress and tension. This is why the Indian Fakirs lay on a bed of nails to maintain health and vitality, and also explains why the ancient techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have gained popularity in the West as patients explore viable alternatives to pain medications and anti-depressants.
Shakti Mat, Inc. is now marketing the original Swedish Acupressure Mat to allow North Americans to experience these benefits of having an acupressure mat at their home, office or while traveling. This lightweight, portable device is produced in India and has over 6,000 non-toxic plastic pressure spikes calibrated to activate the body’s major meridian points.
The initial launch of the Shakti Mat will focus on two types of users, those wanting to improve their overall health and those suffering from pain and stress issues. Health conscious individuals who practice such disciplines as yoga, meditation, athletics and martial arts can use the Shakti Mat to improve their flexibility and achieve relaxed states that enhance their performance. As a pain relief device, the Shakti Mat may be used by people who experience muscle tension either from injury or the stress of having to deal with modern day situations like sitting in front of the computer, standing for long periods, driving a vehicle or working long hours. For all groups, regular use of the Shakti Mat will promote a good night’s sleep, and this is when the body performs the greatest self-healing.
While Western medicine typically addresses pain and stress management as a purely physical process to be treated by prescribing pharmaceutical compounds, TCM promotes acupressure as a holistic method that supposes that physical symptoms are linked to the emotional and mental states of the patient. Activation of the body’s pressure points not only increases the blood’s ability to absorb nutrients and oxygen, it also facilitates the removal of harmful metabolic by-products that build up in the circulatory system. By stimulating the blood flow, additional Neuropeptides flood the nervous system, creating a sense of increased relaxation that promotes healing.
Acupressure has gained popularity among the medical profession because it does not require the insertion of needles like acupuncture treatments that require very specific skills to be effectively administered. According to studies conducted in 2009 by the National Institute of Health (NIH), 1 self-applied acupressure has proven successful in treating chronic fatigue resulting from chemotherapy treatments. Additional research from the National Taipei Nursing College2 in Taiwan found conclusive results that acupressure improved the quality of sleep for institutionalized residents by releasing endorphins and oxytocin, the body’s natural pain blockers.
The Association of Anesthesiologists 3 are also validating the effectiveness of acupressure on pre-operative anxiety by measuring the bispectral index (BIS) values that use a visual stress scale to determine pain levels. Discovering viable alternatives to prescription medications has gained popularity as the consequences of sedating patients is becoming clear as fatalities from pain and stress reducing drugs escalate.
1. Acupressure for Post-Treatment Cancer Fatigue, Study NCT00959998, Suzanna M. Zick, University of Michigan Cancer Center, August 14, 2009 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT00959998
2 The effectiveness of acupressure in improving the quality of sleep of institutionalized residents. CHEN ML, LIN LC, WU SC, LIN JG., J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1999;54(8):M389-94. Department of Nursing, National Taipei Nursing College, Taiwan http://websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=19992424
3. Acupressure for prevention of pre-operative anxiety: a prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. Journal of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 60, Issue 10, pages 978-981. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118641218/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
4. In 16 states, drug deaths overtake traffic fatals By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer – Wed Sep 30, 6:20 pm ET http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_he_me/us_med_drug_deaths |
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