Shakti Mat Review – Is It Good (& Safe) for Back Pain?

Can lying on 6000 nail-like plastic spikes relieve your back pain? Will you survive to tell your story?

The Shakti Mat, inspired by the ancient Indian practice of acupressure, features hundreds of tiny spikes that stimulate pressure points on your back, helping to release tension, boost blood circulation, and at some point – great relaxation.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “A mat with spikes? That sounds uncomfortable!”

You’ll be surprised to find the amazing relaxation you can achieve once you get through those first few moments of pricky and tingling sensation.

Many people find it incredibly relaxing and even describe it as a form of meditation. I can easily fall asleep on it!

In this post, you’ll find our full review of the original Shakti Mat, how it works, and whether it can relieve your back pain and finally improve your sleep.

Read: Can an acupressure mat relieve back pain?

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Does The Shakti Mat Work for Back Pain?

The Shakti Mat is based on an ancient medicinal tool – acupressure points. Stimulating the pressure points in your back increases your blood circulation, resulting in a warm and relaxing feeling, heart rate reduction, and back pain relief – completely naturally. 

Here’s how it works:

Our body is lined with pressure points, which, when “pressured”, release pain-relieving and stress-reducing hormones (endorphins and oxytocin).

The result?

An almost immediate relaxation, back pain relief (for any type of pain, including fibromyalgia), and stress relief.

This also makes the Shakti Mat an effective sleep aid for people having trouble falling asleep due to back pain or just “plain old” insomnia.

Recent studies show that only 15 minutes a day of lying on nail mats (for 3 weeks) reduced patients’ peak levels of pain dramatically.

Shakti Acupressure Mat Review

• Size: 26 x 17 x 1 inches
• Weight: 1 pound

The Shakti Mat padded cotton surface has 210 non-toxic plastic “flowers”, with 4000-8000 acupressure points, depending on the model you choose (3 levels).

It is built in a way that provides equal pressure on all pressure points when it comes in contact with your body.

For me, the Shakti Mat is about as long as my torso.

That means that the spikes reach all the way from my lower back to the top of my neck.

Every mat is made by hand and is inspired by the original acupressure mats from India – where it was invented by a Swedish monk in 2007 after experiencing the effects of the real Indian bed of nails.

I use the Shakti Mat every day. Sometimes I fall asleep on it, sometimes I stand on it for a while (a great blood flow boost for my feet) and sometimes I use it for upper back muscle stiffness.

I’ve developed a habit of falling asleep on it every day, and I love it so much that it’s become my favorite healthy holiday gift for my family and friends.

Our entire family uses it, works great for back pains, tense muscles, and headaches.

And it is one of our top recommendations for gifts for people with back pain!

Shakti Mat Pros & Cons

 Pros

• Can relieve back pain in 15-30 minutes
• You can choose from 3 models which differ in the number of spikes on them (4000/6000/8000)
• Effortless
• Relaxing and helps fall asleep
• Impressive packaging – it comes in an organic cotton carry bag, with attention to detail and quality stitching.
• Well made – durable plastic spikes
• Nontoxic plastic discs
• 100% Organic cotton
• No harmful chemicals

 Cons

• Must be hand washed – using a washing machine or dryer can damage the spikes
• Not for people who are very sensitive to pain

 Check today’s price on Amazon

How to Use the Shakti Mat for Back Pain

As with any other device, using the Shakti Mat properly is the only way to achieve back pain relief.

1. Be careful with the cactus-like flowers on the surface of the mat, they can hurt your fingers if you’re not careful.

The trick with the mat is to lie down carefully so all your back hits the mat in the right place all at once, to avoid feeling the spikes spiking into your skin.

2. The first session should last for 20 minutes. Wear a cotton T-shirt the first time you use the mat, to get used to the discomfort. Each session afterward should last between 20 to 40 minutes, once every day.

3. You will feel a prickly but not painful sensation when you lay on the mat, followed by a wave of flushing warm heat. It instantly relaxes you.

4. After about 5 minutes, you will feel so relaxed you’ll find yourself nodding off, despite the constant irritation.

5. Do not put away the Shakti Mat if you don’t experience pain relief after the first session. This is not medication, it’s a natural method and it’s not a magic potion.

Give it at least 5 sessions before you determine if it helps your back pain. Each time you will use it, you will feel the pain lessen.

6. People who have heart problems, high blood pressure, and pregnant women should NOT use the Shakti mat.

How Long Do You Have to Lie on the Shakti Mat?

We recommend that you lie on an acupressure mat for back pain for at least 10 minutes every day to reap its amazing benefits.

With time, you can try to increase the time by 5 minutes each time, until you reach 30-40 minutes.

Does it Hurt to use the Shakti Mat?

Using the Shakti Mat does not hurt (too much). You will feel a prickly sensation, but not severe pain. Irritation? Yes.

Pain? Not really.

The feeling transforms into warmth, tingling, and pulsating (because the blood is moving)

Most users report feeling immensely tired after only 5 minutes of use, despite the irritation. If this mat can relieve your back pain while making you fall asleep – it’s well worth it.

Shakti Mat Dangers

Not everyone can use an acupressure mat. People who suffer from diabetes or poor circulation should consult with their doctor before using the Shakti Mat because when not used correctly, the spikes can pierce the skin and may cause wounds or infections.

Also, don’t use it if you are pregnant, or suffer from a metabolic condition. Children under the age of 6 should not use the Shakti Mat as well.

Where is the Shakti Mat Made?

Founded by Jon Heslop and George Lill from New Zealand, Shakti Mats manufactures its acupressure mats by hand in Varanasi, India, by 72 women in an all-female purpose-built workshop.

In recent years, production has also expanded to Delhi. The Shakti Mat was invented by a Swedish Yogi, Om Mokshananda, in 2007.

How Do You Clean the Shakti Mat and How Long Does it Last?

When you feel like Your Shakti mat needs some TLC, remove the inner foam before you start since it’s not a fan of water. Next,  get that mat in a tub of lukewarm water and use it with a mild detergent.

If those spikes need a deep clean, call in the brush with the bristles. Give ’em a good scrub. Let the mat hang out and air dry in the shade – no tumble dryers, to avoid a mat meltdown here.

The mat can easily last for years, especially if you keep it out of the sun which can hurt the natural dyes.

 Shakti Mat Price & Where to Buy

The Shakti Mat is a small investment for a back pain-relieving natural device. And, it is durable enough to last for many years.

The best price for it right now is on Amazon ($89). The price on the official site is usually higher.

Pranamat vs. Shakti Mat 

Compared with the Shakti Mat, which has 4000-8000 spikes (3 levels to choose from), the Pranamat has more than 10,000 spikes on it, and they are spread on a cushioned surface that makes it less aggressive when you lie on them.

It is a better choice for pain-sensitive people who can not endure the first few minutes of lying on a thinner mat without any cushioning.

Also, the Pranamat comes only as a complete massage set that includes a mat, an acupressure pillow, and a storage bag – in many styles and sizes to choose from, but is more expensive than the Shakti Mats.

Energize Your Back and Sleep Better

The Shakti Acupressure Mat may be just the solution you’ve been looking for.

By lying on the mat and allowing the tiny spikes to work their magic, you can release tension and alleviate pain in your back, neck, and shoulders.

And with regular use, you may find that your overall quality of sleep improves, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

The Shakti Acupressure Mat is backed by centuries of acupressure practice and was found effective in numerous studies.

Plus, it’s affordable, non-invasive, and easy to use.

However, if you are still hesitant, we recommend you consider other back pain relief tools that offer the same benefits, such as a back roller wheel (with acupressure nodes!), or an electric massage mat.

To your health and happiness,

The Back-Pain-Relief-Products Team