Three things go into an acupressure mat, so you’d think it would be easy to buy one, right? But after making the most effective acupressure mats for over a decade, we’re still seeing people get the basics wrong.

In this article, we’re taking a deep dive into what makes a top-rated acupressure mat, the unique qualities of the Shakti Premium Acupressure Mat, and why it works.

You’ll also learn the benefits of acupressure and how to use an acupressure mat to turn tired, sore and stressed into relaxed, restored and reset.

Behind the redesign of Shakti’s top acupressure mat

Before releasing the Premium Acupressure Mat in 2023, we spent 4 years perfecting it. Having a passionate community means there is no shortage of requests for improvements. So, following the introduction of Blissfoam™—our proprietary plant-based foam—we went back to the drawing board to redesign the Shakti Mat for a modern wellness practice in a our fast-paced world.

What makes the best acupressure mat?

Ultimately, the 'best' acupressure mat should help you feel better faster. Whether that's deeper sleep, fewer aches, or less stress, it all comes down to the spikes.

They need to be sharp enough to get to the point, but they can't pierce your skin. They also need to be attached in a way that lets them move with your body and nestle into tension. The foam beneath them needs to conform to your body without sinking flat, too.

Why choose Shakti over other acupressure mats?

Aside from creating the original acupressure mat (yes, we started the trend), we've continued to research and develop acupressure tools for too-busy lives. We're the only acupressure brand that makes every tool in the birthplace of acupressure, and we've built our business around doing plenty of good there, too.

What sets Shakti apart at a glance

• Sharp spikes = effective acupressure, so we don’t tolerate anything less.

• Poor-quality materials are a big no-no.

• We offer different intensities because your tension is unlike anyone else's. There’s no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach when it comes to acupressure.

• Giving back to the place this practice comes from is embedded in our business.
  

Why the Shakti Premium Acupressure Mat is top-rated

Precision-engineered acupressure spikes = the perfect level of pressure

If there’s one thing we pride ourselves on, it’s our spikes. Weird? Maybe. But spikes are everything when it comes to acupressure. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for all acupressure mats out there. 

Finding that balance of pressure that activates your acupoints without piercing the skin is something we’ve obsessed over for years. But when we redesigned the Mat, our first thought was, ‘How can we make the spikes even sharper?’ (We promise it’s a good thing!)

Shakti spikes are made from first-class ABS

To create the best acupressure spikes, we needed a material that could make super-sharp points that stayed sharp. This is critical for acupressure because:

1. Acupressure spikes need to be sharp to work.

2. We want your Shakti mat to unlock the benefits just as well on the 700th time as it did on the 1st.

So, we decided to craft the spikes from a polymer called ABS, which stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It's also the same stuff LEGO is made from, and you'd know all about how hard and durable that is if you've ever stepped on a piece.

ABS is non-toxic, which is crucial because the spikes come into direct contact with your skin. The material has varying levels of quality, so finding the right one took some trial and error.

Initially, we tried recycled ABS, but the variance in its chemical structure from batch to batch meant we couldn’t maintain a minimum level of sharpness that met our expectations. So, rather than settling for poor effect and quality from a recycled source, we settled on virgin ABS on the basis of its durability and performance over time.

Having something from a recycled source that makes its way to waste sooner than the virgin alternative is just as much as waste as finding out it doesn’t perform as well either. 

How is first-class ABS sustainable? 

When you invest in quality spikes that last, you can experience the benefits of your acupressure mat activates year after year. While everything we make comes with a 5-year guarantee, there are Shakti Mats from 2014 that still provide the sensations and benefits we expect today.

Shakti spikes have a unique clipping method, so there are no nasty glues or chemicals

Once we had the spikes as sharp as possible, it was time to add them to the mat. From the very first Shakti mat, we didn’t want to glue the spikes onto the cotton. 

Glues often contain irritating chemicals, and they fix the spikes into one place. After standing in a factory and asking ourselves, “Would we spend 8 hours a day breathing around this stuff?” the decision to find another way was simple. By developing our clipping technique, we also solved another issue with fixed spikes: they scratch your skin and can’t rotate into a comfortable position.

Holes are punched into the cotton cover, and stoppers are added to one side. Spiked disks are then clipped onto the other side, connecting the two pieces in the middle for gentle rotation.

Shakti spikes pivot for deeper tension release

We mentioned that gluing the spikes stops them from moving, which is a big deal for us because stagnant spikes can equal stagnant energy. The clipping method overcomes that problem.

Each spiky disk has an axle that lets each point pivot slightly so they won’t scratch your skin as they nestle deeper into the muscle. Although this might sound more like torture than a treat, it deepens your practice—which is a good thing!

Shakti spikes are constantly honed

Spike molds are our secret recipe, and we're always improving them. The molds are closely guarded and only handled by a few people. To date, no one's come close to copying them.

There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to Shakti. That’s why we’ve created 3 levels—so you can pick the right one for you. 

When it comes to spikes, the sharpness is the same no matter which level you choose. Intensity depends on the number of points per spike.

More points = more surface area you have to support your body weight. This relieves pressure, resulting in an even spread.

Going up a level = fewer points per spike, and, therefore, less surface area.

Lying on a Shakti acupressure mat with fewer points comes with more initial discomfort, but it unlocks a deeper release. We’ll fill you in on which level of intensity is best for you later.

Premium Shakti Mats are filled with organic Blissfoam™

Most acupressure mats are filled with PU (Polyurethane) foam. They're comfy, for sure. But they're not a plant-based alternative that performs better, too. Blissfoam™ is a foam made from organic latex (rubber), and it has the dense yet spongy quality of memory foam.

Supportive and sinking. Perfect for getting each spike into deep tension.

It's not only more comfortable, but it also deepens every Shakti session for maximum impact.

And in case you have natural rubber sensitivities, it's sealed in a thin cotton sleeve to prevent skin-to-foam contact.

How is Blissfoam™ made?

Step 1. Organically grown rubber trees

Blissfoam™ starts with organic rubber trees. They’re grown on small farms, free of harmful pesticides and herbicides. They also live for around 30 years, making them ideal from a renewable sense that can trap carbon and decompose naturally.

Organic is better for farmers, you, and the environment. However, it is pricier. So, we pay a premium that goes directly to the farmer, helping to support their choice to farm organic and ultimately help convert more of their conventionally grown land.

Step 2. Collecting the sap from rubber trees

Once the rubber trees are organically grown, they’re tapped to collect the sap (like maple syrup). The sap is a milky white liquid, also known as latex. After the rubber tree’s liquid latex is collected, it’s taken to a processing facility.

Step 3. Transforming the sap into foam

The sap is delivered to a processing facility and condensed into a blissfully soft foam (hence the name!). Sink into one of our Shakti mats, and you’ll see what we mean. We work alongside a processing facility that uses renewable sources to generate 60% of its energy.

Watch how Blissfoam™ is made in this video.

Soft and durable organic cotton cover

A lot of acupressure mat covers can thin, fray, and fade. Not ours. Each Shakti mat is wrapped in 200GSM (grams per square meter) GOTS-certified organic cotton. It's strong enough to handle constant use, yet soft enough for the perfect handfeel.

Minimalist and sleek design to reflect a calm body and mind

Shakti acupressure mats are there to calm, decompress, and de-stress your body and mind. We wanted our new design to reflect that. So, we opted for soothing colors that suit modern spaces.

Expertly and responsibly handmade by Shakti craftspeople

Fast fashion is a huge problem, and unfortunately it’s spread to wellness products. Acupressure mats can be made with poor-quality materials sourced from raw materials sprayed with harmful pesticides and churned out cheaply.

That's not Shakti, and we ensure that each mat is made to high standards, using quality materials and focusing on suppliers who care about their people.

Choosing the best acupressure mat for you

If you’ve got this far, congrats! You know much more than most. The best acupressure mats need sharp spikes, premium foam, and an outer that's soft enough to lie on for hours—yet strong enough to stand the test of time.

The next distinction is the difference between a mat you lie on once, and one that you fall in love with. Because, unlike the rest, Shakti spikes come in 3 intensities.

We believe there's no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to acupressure. Especially with spikes as sharp as ours. It's why we’ve crafted 3 levels of pressure that promise to unlock that deep release.

The best acupressure mat for beginners

If you’ve never tried acupressure before and lying on thousands of spikes is intimidating (we get it)—or you've tried a friend's and thought, "that's ridiculous"—level 1 is for you. The points are still as sharp and durable as levels 2 and 3, but there are more of them. This spreads your weight and decreases the intensity, making it beginner-friendly.

The best acupressure mat for the curious and adventurous

Level 2 may be up your alley if you've previously dabbled in invigorating wellness practices, like cold plunge or acupuncture. It's more Thai-style as opposed to Swedish if you're comparing deep-tissue massage. It also has fewer spikes than level 1, which = more pressure when they're pressing up against your muscles.

It takes a little more getting used to, but the benefits are worth it.

The best acupressure mat for experienced acupressure enthusiasts

We created level 3 for those of you who’ve been practising acupressure for a while and are craving a deeper release.

Be warned though—level 3 is no picnic! The Mat has half as many spikes as level 1, so each spike presses much harder. The result is a breathtaking intensity that really gets to the point.

Seriously, it’s not for first-timers or the faint-hearted. However, if you’ve built a solid practice and can breathe through the initial discomfort, you’ll find a body-enhancing experience like nothing else.

Ready to get started or not sure where to begin?

Take the Shakti quiz to find the best acupressure mat for you.