Acupressure pillow: choosing a pillow, a mat or both

What is an acupressure pillow – and how is it different from the mat?

The spikes work the same way on the pillow as on the mat: through direct contact, pressing gently against your skin. The difference is the shape. The mat is flat and made for lying on, with your back against the spikes. The pillow has height and shape, so the spikes reach your neck, lower back and other places that don't rest on the floor.

The most popular way to use both the mat and the pillow is to lie on them. With the pillow, bed is a common place – the most popular way to use the Classic pillow is in bed, before you fall asleep.

It feels the same as on the mat. Will it hurt? Yes, but only a little at first. After a few minutes the tingling turns into a deep, relaxing warmth, and the redness is simply a sign of increased circulation.

Acupressure pillow or mat – which should you start with?

Start with the area you want to reach. Your back and larger areas are best covered by the mat. Your neck and the curves of your body are easiest to reach with the pillow – the Classic Shakti pillow is perfect for a stiff neck and sore shoulders, and its shape works equally well on tense foot soles.

You can use the mat for your neck too: roll it up, or make sure your neck, shoulders and back are in contact with the spikes when you lie down. But if you want to reach your neck and head specifically, the pillow is built for it.

Whichever you choose, skin sensitivity determines the experience, not weight. That's why both mats and pillows come in different levels.

How do you combine an acupressure mat and pillow?

Our own experience is that skin sensitivity determines the experience, and that you can build a session that works for you by combining a mat and a pillow – or two mats – for a more effective session. The mat doesn't need to cover your entire back to provide a great treatment.

A common setup looks like this:

1. Place the mat where you want to lie – in bed, on the floor or on the sofa. A softer surface provides a bit of extra support and can be a good place to start.
2. Place the pillow where the mat doesn't reach, usually under your neck.
3. Lie down slowly so your weight is spread evenly, take a deep breath and breathe out.
4. If you want a different angle, rest the pillow against a regular pillow – this works well when reading, too.
5. Stay for around 20 minutes. There are no time or frequency restrictions, and it's completely normal to fall asleep.

Classic or Premium – which acupressure pillow suits you?

The Classic pillow is crescent-shaped and filled with a single piece of light, allergy-friendly foam that distributes the pressure evenly – the same proven filling that put the Shakti Mat on the map. The cover is GOTS-certified organic cotton, hand-sewn. It's perfect if you carry tension in and around your neck.

The Premium pillow has twice the surface area of the Classic pillow and a modern, rectangular format: 45 × 36 × 9 cm and 0.97 kg. The filling is shredded Blissfoam™ made from organic latex, which you can mould, so you can raise or lower the pressure and reach your shoulders, neck and the back of your head in the same session. The cotton is GOTS-certified and organic, inside and out.

Both come in levels 1 to 3. The Classic pillow's yellow Level 1 is only available while stocks last. The Premium pillow comes in Amber, Tulsi and Black, but not every colour is available in every level.

The choice is about shape and feel, not stronger acupressure: Classic for the neck and a classic shape, Premium for more surface area and a filling you can mould to your body.

Where on your body can you use an acupressure pillow?

The neck and neck muscles are the classic spot – that's where the Classic pillow's crescent shape comes into its own. You can also use the pillow for your lower back and calves.

The soles of your feet work too. The Classic pillow's shape works just as well on tense foot soles as on your neck.

The Premium pillow's shape and mouldable filling make it just as useful for the same areas but even more versatile for your whole body. Place it behind your lower back, rest your legs on it, or position it wherever your body feels tense. You can also place it against your lower back while sitting and relaxing.

How long should you lie on an acupressure pillow – and which level should you choose?

Melting away tension with the pillow usually takes around 10 minutes, but everyone's different – more tension and stiffness means more time. For the Premium pillow we allow around 20 minutes per session: lie down with your head and neck on the pillow and close your eyes.

The levels work as they do on the mat, and contrary to what you might think: the fewer spikes, the more intense the effect, because your body weight is spread over fewer points. Level 1 is the mildest and Level 3 the most intense of the pillow levels.

If the level feels wrong, you can exchange it for a different level within 30 days, as long as the product is in the same condition as when you received it – this applies to products bought directly from shaktimattan.se, one exchange per order.

Who should not use an acupressure pillow?

The pillow is one of the mat's accessories, and the same rules apply. That's why we quote our FAQ word for word: “Do not use the Shakti mat or its accessories if you have any of the following conditions:”

Coagulation problems or if you're taking blood-thinning medication. The Shakti mat can affect circulation and is therefore not recommended for people with circulation-related and/or blood coagulation problems.

Epilepsy – The Shakti mat is covered with thousands of sharp spikes and could be dangerous if a person has a seizure whilst using it.

Significant skin damage in the area where you intend to use the mat, including pronounced skin inflammation or large papillomas. Certain skin conditions may be worsened by the mat.

Neuropathy with loss of sensation or reduced sensation, as this can affect your ability to feel the sharpness of the spikes.

Pregnancy – Certain acupressure points are sometimes used to naturally induce labour.

Cardiovascular conditions – The Shakti mat can affect circulation and is therefore not recommended for people with heart and circulatory problems.

Thrombophlebitis – see coagulation problems and cardiovascular conditions above.

Fever or other acute illness.

If you have any other medical condition or illness, we recommend you consult your doctor before using the product. If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before use.

Pregnancy is on the list for a reason: Unfortunately, we don't recommend pregnant women use the Shakti mat, particularly during the first trimester. The Shakti mat uses acupressure, which in some cases has been used to naturally induce labour. Always consult your doctor before using the mat.

It's fine to use the Shakti mat if you have tattoos, but avoid using it during the healing period. Don't use the Shakti mat if you experience any irritation in the tattooed area. Always consult a doctor if you're unsure. Yes, children can use the Shakti mat. However, we recommend close supervision due to the sharpness of the spikes.