I Tried The Leading Luxury Brand Acupuncture Mat by Pranamat ECO (And I Loved It): My Full Review
After an (almost) career ending injury in 2022, I spent my time heavily investing in knowledge and tools to make sure I could continue training athletes as long as possible. That included:
Physical therapy
Saunas
Many doctors
And the Pranamat ECO
After I herniated several lumbar discs in the summer of 2022, I was ready to sign my surgery paperwork by October. I tried every rehabilitation aid you can think of; from foam rollers to high tech massage guns and some of the best physical therapists in Southern California. It became clear that nothing, on its own, was a magic bullet. So I had to combine and diversify all my efforts and gear to make the most of the recovery process and, hopefully, keep surgery as a last option.
I was intrigued when I learned about the Pranamat ECO. This luxury brand makes the bold claims of decreasing pain, speeding up recuperation, and enhancing overall performance—all essentials for basketball players and an injured trainer like me. Made in Europe, the Pranamat ECO has over 10,000 acupressure points.
It has an inviting, sturdy surface and is composed of environmentally safe materials. I made the decision to test out the mat to see if it lived up to the hype I was seeing on social media And if it was worthy to integrate into my ongoing recovery journey. Here’s my firsthand account of using the Pranamat ECO Full Body Original Massage Set both on and off the court.
FIRST IMPRESSION
I definitely underestimated the strength of the acupressure points. Which I quickly learned after unboxing the mat and not turning it over to the non-point side first.
After 1-2 ten minute sessions on the mat, I got used to the new sensation and it started to feel much more therapeutic. The mat features a sturdy surface that easily accommodated my 6’3” and 215 pound frame. It’s helpful that the Full Body Original Massage Set comes with 3 separate pieces; pillow, torso mat, and foot mat. But it's also available in other combinations that target different body areas. You could easily adjust the spacing based on your frame.
The acupressure points are strategically positioned to target specific body parts, such as the hips and lower back, which are frequent sources of pain for me especially at the end of the day.
USING THE MAT
I was open minded, but hesitant to use the mat. I knew the benefits of acupressure but I was skeptical as a larger guy with thick skin. I was pleasantly surprised, nevertheless, by how comfortable the mat was.
The pressure was exactly right; it was strong enough to encourage blood flow and relieve stress but not painfully so. I began by lying on the mat for 10 minutes at a time when I woke up in the morning, between some longer gaps in training sessions and before bed.
After strenuous training sessions, I discovered that using the mat helped me relax and unwind as well as relieve some soreness and stiffness.
MY RESULTS
My focus and recovery time significantly improved after about 5 weeks of utilizing the Pranamat ECO. It felt quicker for me to bounce back from challenging workouts. Most importantly, my back is happy and it's added a facet to my recovery ritual that I actually look forward to.
During training and games (pick up games, of course), I was also more at ease and concentrated, which helped my outcomes. The vast quantity of acupressure points on this mat is one of its distinguishing qualities. It offers thorough coverage of the entire body, guaranteeing that no muscle group is overlooked.
The fact that the Pranamat ECO is made in Europe adds to my trust in their manufacturing. Every element of the product, from the materials used to the design of the mat itself, shows meticulous attention to detail and strict quality control. I've been using it on a daily basis for a few months now, and it's held up very well in terms of durability.
The acupressure points have not dulled or changed shape, and the mat shows no evidence of use. However, I think the fact that I have the black mat helps conceal common issues my gear faces like sweat stains and grime from the court.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you're a basketball player or parent searching for top-notch recovery equipment, I wholeheartedly suggest the Pranamat ECO.
Although the mat does have a high price point, the superior construction and the benefits support it. Take it from someone like me who is a professional at breaking gear the first day out of the box.
You can buy the Pranamat ECO through my affiliate link here. Use coachshea at checkout to receive an exclusive discount and be on your way to investing in your own high quality performance and rehabilitation gear.
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