You and a Bed of Nails
By Cheryl Mangio, CMRS, CRR, RMR, CCR
Principal – YOM: Full Service Court Reporting
After writing on your machine all day or working at a desk hour upon hour, aches and pains persist and we all need a little self-care. Why not consider laying down on an acupressure mat to relieve tension or placing an acupressure pillow under your head to soothe a headache?
I was scanning my favorite site for health and relaxation products and landed on an acupressure mat aptly named Bed of Nails (BON), touted to relieve stress and pain and stimulate circulation. People who use these mats on a regular basis not only report a deeper sense of wellness and relaxation, but also target pain relief, better sleep; and some even experience a meditative state. Before purchasing the bed, I read numerous marketing and anecdotal claims and reviews professing the benefits of laying on a bed of nails.
My curiosity was piqued. Any opportunity for relaxation and stress-reduction without medication is high on my list.
A Bed of Nails is an acupressure needle stimulation pad about the size of a yoga mat and covered with what look like plastic cleats you would see on the bottom of a golf shoe. You can sit, lie, stand, and even wrap the mat. Sound miserable? Laying on a bed of nails is easier than it looks; it works by spreading pressure and sensation over a large area.
To start, I suggest you use a thin T-shirt until you get used to the stabbing sensation. Once you feel the nails, the flushing sensation is weird – but a good weird. These changes suggest the pressure may be reducing sympathetic nervous system activity (fight and flight) and increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity (rest and digest) – all good things. Some assert these mats release feel-good chemicals called endorphins.
Reactions, of course, vary; some users must adjust to it slowly; and others, it may not work for. I have been regularly using a Bed of Nails for over a year now and always take my BON pillow with me when I travel.
After a long day of performing the amazing feat of court reporting, you deserve to lie down and relax – on a bed of nails.
Here is a link to seven top-reviewed acupressure mats found on Amazon.
