ShaktiMat Acupressure Mat for Relaxation, Massage Muscles, Aid Sleep & Unlock Inner Tension, Similar to Acupuncture, No Needles Required (Classic, Level 3, Shakti Black)

An interesting mental test.
While I really wanted to write something along the lines of, “this begins and ends with pain,” the reality is, it wasn’t really painful at all. Mind you, this Shakti Mat Level 3 Acupressure Mat is a level three, and is supposedly the toughest one around in terms of pain level, but for me, the primary hurdle was the anxiety of the fact that you are essentially laying on a bed of sharp objects. This part really was ultimately the hardest test of willpower through the experience.If you’re stuck, “take the plunge” is really the best answer I can give, as feeling the full contact of the edges at once actually significantly lessens the discomfort, and you may be surprised at how little (or a lot, depending on the person) pain you feel. For me though, as I did my 20 minutes, it felt a little itchy. A little uncomfortable at first, but I got used to it “quickly”—like under 20 seconds quickly. Then it was mostly just itchy.I will note, I didn’t particularly feel anything special beyond the perceived itchiness over those 20 minutes, as I continued writing other things on my phone to pass the time, and the redness of my back as I got up, with some sharp-looking holes pressed into my skin checking the mirror. You could say it didn’t work that well for me, really, despite the increased pain level of the mat.Now to get into the mat itself: it is about an inch thick of polyurethane foam inside a removable outer covering with the plastic spiked ribs, which does appear washable. The foam actually makes it feel like a pretty quality mat, and you can lay down on a hard surface no problem without much discomfort. This does not come with a case or anything—just the mat, rolled up, and a quick start guide.Value-wise, at roughly $85 at the time of writing, it’s expensive. Wow, even. For what it is, I’d say it’s a bit jarring for me. On a personal level, given my lackluster experience, it is difficult to recommend at this price. If you’re new to this sort of thing, I recommend trying to find out if it works for you first at a lower pain level, and then moving into this level 3 max pain if you’re looking for further stimulation. In that case, perhaps the value would be significantly higher.Ultimately, I am a sample size of one, so take my experience as but a grain of sand on the beach. I just simply tell it like it is. If you feel you need some sort of physical tactile sensation to alleviate daily stress, by all means, it is interesting enough to give a try.

Spikey and wonderful
Omgoodnesssss! At first I was like 😳 then I was like 😌. This mat is wild and so amazing. Very good quality and will definitely last q long time! It starts off as a different sensation but it becomes relaxing and enjoyable. The are really good for relieving stress and tension in the muscles. Super easy to use and just the right size to cover your back.

I’ve been sleeping much better since using the mat

Great. I love my Shakti mat. Wouldn’t be without it. I sit down at my desk all day 9-5.I lay on this and it releases the stiffness in my back and hipsAnyone thinking of getting one, don’t think, just buy

I’ve done yoga and meditation on and off for years so I’m familiar with relaxation techniques – been using the level 3 version twice a day for a week and had really high hopes, so many reviews saying its life changing and incredibly relaxing. Cannot say I feel absolutely any different during or after 20 minutes lay on it bare skin than I would of if I’d of laid on the floor – literally nothing, no relaxation, no stress relief or anything at all.It feels like you’re lying on something very spikey, the pain sort of subsides but absolutely no relaxation follows, you’re literally just lying down as if you were lay somewhere else slightly uncomfortable and then you get up 20 minutes later with zero effect other than painful skin on your back – yoga and meditation actually have a effect, both psychologically and mentally – this doesn’t.At first I thought ah this is like an ice cold shower, you battle through the discomfort and feel incredible once you acclimatise and then the positive feelings persist long after you’ve stepped out of the freezing shower, the effect of cold shock are scientific.I know acupuncture isn’t real, over 2000 separate studies haven’t shown more than a placebo but I assumed the pain and crazy life changing stress relief people claim would be brilliant, that’s not the case. When’s the last time you couldn’t get comfy in bed and after 20 minutes thought ‘wow I’m so relaxed now’This is the equivalent of sitting on an uncomfortable bar stool then getting numb to it after a while – literally zero benefits to the experience, just a waste of time.