Acupressure Mat

[InAnElevator]

A few weeks ago I ordered an acupressure mat from Amazon, after reading a recommendation from HelloGiggles. I'd been lying on it for small stretches of time, 20-40 minutes ever since, and found it wonderful and relaxing, especially before bed.

Last week, I was scheduled to drop dose, and I must have gone down a little too much, because later that day, I went into a panic. Spent the entire night hugging the toilet and pacing, as per usual. For the next few days, I struggled with almost constant lingering anxiety. My heart was beating too fast, it was difficult to breathe, so on and so forth. The usual. It was making it impossible to sleep.

And that's when I thought of my mat. Normally, lying down and trying to calm myself makes my anxiety worse. But I laid down on my mat, and 20 minutes later, it was like someone flipped a switch. I felt the closest to normal i'd felt in days. I stayed on the mat for another 20 minutes, fearful that if I got up, the anxiety would return. Eventually, I was too exhausted to stay up any longer, and rolled off the mat. The anxiety didn't return, much to my surprise!

Every night since, when it's time to go to bed, I just lay down on the mat. And literally every night, at 20 minutes in, I get the same relief. And not just, 'oh i feel a little better i guess' but 'wow I feel normal.' I'd been taking my emergency clonazepam for those days, and for some reason, not even it helped that odd lingering anxiety. To find something so easy, and non-drug-related that helps so much was a miracle.

When some random morning anxiety hit at 6am the other day, I tried the same tactic. And it worked like a charm then too.

So I figured I'd share. I'm not sure what brand mine is, but like I said, I bought it from Amazon for $20. They have different colors.

Does anyone else have one of these? I'd searched the forum, but nothing popped up.

Peace and Love,
Kat

[Brassmonkey]

Please give us more information about the mat, it sounds great. I have a Ma roller that I have used for well over 20 years now and wouldn't be without it.

So glad it gave you some relief.

[InAnElevator]

The mat itself is made up of a foamy center, with a cover. The cover has a series of round plastic discs on them, each of which has spikes.

You can lay on them on your back, front, or even put your face on them. Some folks set their feet down on them and push down a little bit. The spikes are supposed to stimulate pressure points, increase blood flow, help with back and neck pain, and release endorphins.

Looking at it, it's kind of intimidating. If you run your hand across the spikes, they kind of hurt/scratch. They really are kind of sharp. But I've never had an issue with them when lying down. I don't really like to lay down on my stomach, though I've heard it's supposed to help with digestion.

I brought mine up to work a few weeks ago and let my boss lay on it. She almost fell asleep! You're supposed to lay on it without a shirt/clothes, but said boss kept her shirt on, and enjoyed it all the same. I find it helps so much more if you use it without a barrier.

[sid82]

Thanks for the info..

It really helped me to reduce my back pain and i also felt more relaxed after a session.

I am currently taking prisitq on alternate days..

[TryingtoGetWell]

Originally Posted by sid82

I am currently taking prisitq on alternate days..

Sid, I just happened to see this, and I'm not familiar with the particulars of your situation. I also am not familiar with pristiq.

But I know that every other day dosing (alternating doses) of psychotropic meds seems to cause bad problems for many people. Is there a reason you're taking it alternate days?

[TryingtoGetWell]

P.S. I know I've replied before to other posts of yours, but I didn't know about the alternating dosing.

[sid82]

I take 50 mg of pristiq and that is the lowest dose available.

I just wanted to see what would happen with alternate dosing...i am currently working from home..so it was excellent opportunity to know how addicted i am to pristiq..

on the off days i had fish oil and was feeling okay..but the major differnece came after buying the acupunture mat..it works wonders..

I am going to go on to my regular schedule of taking daily and then talk to my pdoc abt slow weaning schedule..

thanks for following up...tc

[TryingtoGetWell]

Originally Posted by sid82

I just wanted to see what would happen with alternate dosing...i am currently working from home..so it was excellent opportunity to know how addicted i am to pristiq..

Your decision, but be aware that withdrawal from these types of meds usually isn't felt immediately. Sometimes not for weeks, especially the full impact of not taking them.

I don't mean to nag, just want to make sure you're making informed decisions.

[jr1985]

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna give this a go, I'll try anything if it helps!

How long does the relief last for, say if you use it for morning anxiety?

[sid82]

I am back to my daily schedule and have decided to talk to my doctor and make an informed decision..

The mat is good for physical pain and fatigue..i can confirm that since i had low back pain before using this mat...

Not sure if it helps anxiety a lot..but the mat is worth it for pain even if it doesnt help anxiety and depression.

[jr1985]

Well I bought an acupuncture mat and gave it a go earlier. I did find it relaxing, but I don't know if that's only because I was lying down, rather than due to the acupressure. Does it take a while before you experience the full benefit?

My mum tried it and became really relaxed and drowsy after about 10 minutes!