Are shakti mats all they’re cracked up to be?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

I’ve ordered one to hopefully relieve my poor overworked back muscles. But I’m a bit scared 😬 Aldi often have them in and I’ve felt the spikes before out of interest, they are HARD. Is it painful at first? Does it take long to get used to it? Any tips for getting on/off it with very limited mobility? (misaligned pelvis, it’s not fun)

I have one and don't use it often enough! There should be instructions with it but you need to build up using it - start with it on a soft surface and with a tshirt on, then you do soft surface and no top, or hard surface and top on etc, don't just launch into lying on the floor topless or you'll hit the ceiling!!
I tend to use mine on the bed. You need to sit with your bum to the edge of it and then roll yourself down and back up again. It tingles more than hurts and can often feel a bit itchy.

They're amazing! I decided just go all in straight away and coped with the pain!

I love mine.

I use my acupressure mat quite a bit and it does help with back muscle stiffness. Going for a deep tissue massage is the best remedy, but obviously that's not always a possibility! I use the mat for about 20-30 mins before bed once or twice a week.

As for getting on and off it, are you ordinarily able to lie down on the floor? If not, then bed will be easiest as PP said.

I found that it did hurt when i began. But if you lie very still it will gradually ease off. Do follow the instructions, you need to build up by using it with a t shirt, on a soft surface etc. People with some medical conditions shouldn't use one at all, so make sure to read the guidance.

Getting on is fine. It's getting off after half an hour that's the killer! Proper agony scream every time. Maybe mines extra sharp 🤔

Do you think it’ll be okay to roll onto it sideways? I can’t lie straight back from sitting, I have to go sideways.

Sideways should be fine, just watch where you're putting your hands!!

Love mine. Use it most nights. I really don't find it as painful as people are saying here! I think I have a level 2 so the medium one.

It becomes so warm and relaxing I usually fall asleep. And then after for about 30 mins I'm a bit of a glowy bubble. I mainly use it for my mental health.

I have one. I've used it once. You're supposed to use it for 20 mins. I managed 4 agonising minutes! It went back in the box. Instruments of torture!!

I have one and I find it really relaxing. It also helps a lot with my back pain.

I have the level 1 version. It's absolutely agony. I literally sobbed the first time I tried it (I've used it on soft surfaces etc before anyone makes any suggestions).
I can now use it without crying, but f me it's painful. Not my best purchase. I think different people just have very different experiences with it.

I have one but so far have only used it with a t shirt. It’s quite an enjoyable experience, it feels like the equivalent of listening to white noise, except for your muscles.

I love mine but don't use it often enough. If I'm lying down on the floor either a child or a dog comes to bother me. I also have the neck pillow one and that is blissful in bed. Less so when you fall asleep and turn on it and scrape your face.

I have one, and it's extremely relaxing. I fall asleep on it sometimes, so I tend to set a timer to wake me up after 20 minutes.

I haven't found it helpful for backache, but it's brilliant for winding down to sleep.

I put it in the bed and lie down on it, in thin pjs under the blankets. Roll onto it, as a PP advised. Just lie there cosily and mentally check in with my body, especially the sensations in my back. After a while, 15-20 mins maybe, i start to feel dozey. So I roll off the mat towards the middle of the bed, gently pull the mat out of the bed and toss it away. Roll back, and within seconds I'm asleep. Amazing.

If you do this, make sure to toss the mat towards the head of the bed. You really don't want to step on it barefoot in the middle of the night!

Deliberately stepping on it barefoot OTOH is also amazing. There's a moment of pain when your whole body-weight is briefly on one foot, but once you're on both feet it really is awesome. Wakes you up, gives you a burst of energy and internal warmth. Just stand there as long as feels good. Rock on your feet to intensify the sensations.

I hated mine. I found myself bored and in pain.

It finally arrived 45 minutes ago, I’ve been lying on it for maybe half an hour now, I’m in bed with my nightie on and my back is a little warm. Not really feeling sleepy though, when I can summon up the energy to move I’ll have to take the nightie off and see what that does!

I don't find it hurts at all

In fact I thought it did nothing so I stopped using it