This is my honest review of the Pranamat Eco massage set after using it almost every day for about a year. I've found it to significantly improve neck tension and pain, stress levels, and my sleep quality. After doing lots of research and learning about its many potential benefits, I decided to give it a try—and I'm really glad I did.
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate with Pranamat Eco, so I may receive a small commission if you purchase through one of my links. That being said, I'm sharing my honest experience with using their acupressure sets (the pros, cons, etc). Thank you for supporting my blog!
What is the Pranamat Eco?
The pranamat is an acupressure massage set that can be used anytime from home. It is a self-healing tool that has a similar effects to getting acupuncture or a massage.
Pranamat Eco was developed based on principles of acurpressure, which is an ancient method of healing used by the Romans and Greeks. Clinical studies done on the Pranamat have shown it to be effective in improving back pain, stress levels, mood, sleep, and general well-being.
My Experience With The Pranamat
Personally, I've had quite the journey with severe chronic illness, pain, and fatigue and am always looking for tools to help me feel my best! Thankfully, I'm now healing and doing very well, but I still have quite a bit of tension in my neck and spine due to several neurosurgeries I had years ago.
I got my Pranamat in January of 2023, which is well over a year ago at the time of writing this blog post. It didn't take long to adjust to the "discomfort" of laying on the spikes (they are quite sharp) and to start seeing benefits. The first thing that I noticed is that I felt this wave of calm come over me after a few minutes of laying on it. This is something I still experience almost every time I lay on it. I love having a tool that can help me calm down and reset amidst the stressors of daily life!
At first, I wore a thin layer of cotton coloring while laying on it, but I quickly worked my way up to full skin exposure. Now I lay on it naked! I don't find it painful, but the first few minutes are a bit comfortable. It's similar to a massage "hurting so good".
Another thing I've noticed is that my stomach often gurgles when I lay on it. This is a sign of the nervous system going into "rest and digest" mode. It also seems to help with my digestion (I'm prone to having constipation), and I sometimes actually like laying on it on my stomach. This helps if I feel any sort of bloating.
Other improvements I've seen:
I fall asleep faster after I lay on it, and for this reason I really like laying on it before going to bed. It makes for a really nice night time routine. Sometimes I'll listen to meditations while laying on it, which adds another layer of calm and regulation.
Laying on it really helps me with neck and back tension. Because of my cervical fusion and lack of range of motion in my neck, I naturally get a lot of tension there. The pranamat has helped me so much with this!
Overall, the Pranamat has been well worth it for both me and my husband (he uses it often too). I've gotten acupuncture on and off for years, and I find I don't feel the need to go for treatments nearly as often because of the Pranamat. So in a way, it really has saved us a lot of money! This is one of my very favorite health tools. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try if it's something that's within your budget.
What are the potential benefits of using Pranamat?
Chronic pain relief
Headache relief
Muscle soreness & tension relief
Stress relief
Anxiety relief
Nerve pain relief
Improvements in sleep quality
Increased blood flow
Increased energy
How does the Pranamat work?
The diagram below from the Pranamat website does a great job of showing how it works. Basically, the 10,000+ pokey spines on the mat help to increase blood flow, which in turn increases oxygen in the cells of your body. This stimulates the body's natural healing process and can lower inflammation. You can also find more information and research studies on their website.
Ways To Use The Pranamat
There are so many different ways to use the Pranamat massage set!
Here are some examples:
Full body massage
Lay on the mat flat on your back using the neck pillow and foot mat (on the floor, the coach, or a bed)
This can help with back/neck pain relief, stress relief, and insomnia
Lower back massage
Put the pillow under your lower back for a deeper lower back massage
This can help with lower back pain and tension
Stomach massage
Lay on the pranamat pillow or foot insert on your stomach to
This can help with digestion, bloating, cramps, and skin toning
Foot massage
Stand on the pranamat or sit in a chair with your feet resting on it (this is less intense when sitting)
This can help increase energy levels and decrease stress levels
Hand massage
Press your hand into pranamat lotus flowers
This can help give you a "mental reset"
Skin toning massage
Lay on the mat on your thighs, bum, or arms
Many people find this helpful for cellulite
Neck massage
Use the "moon pillow" on your neck (on the floor or in bed)
This can help with neck pain/tension, and with restoring proper neck curvature
Personally, my favorite way to use the pranamat is laying on my back on it with the moon neck pillow. It's so relaxing and I love doing it before sleep!
Does the Pranamat hurt? What does it feel like?
The first few minutes can be a bit intense and uncomfortable, but I wouldn't describe it as painful. The feeling could be compared to how a massage "hurts so good". After the first few minutes, the discomfort typically goes away as your body sinks into the spikes. You should feel a sense of relief, calm and/or relaxation.
I'd recommend starting out with wearing a thin layer of clothing (ex. cotton) and working your way up to more exposure. I find the most benefit laying on it with bare skin.
Which Pranamat set should I buy?
Personally, I have the full body original Pranamat set with main mat, mini foot mat, and pillow. This is probably the best option, but you absolutely can get the same benefits from the basic set. I often find myself going without the foot mat, but my husband really likes to use it. So it just depends on the person!
If you're planning on traveling a lot with your Pranamat, the full body pro set does include a nice travel bag. But honestly I'm not sure that it's worth the extra money (I personally don't have it). You can also travel with just the moon pillow or the mini foot mat.
Are there any Pranamat discounts?
Yes! Pranamat has generously offered my community a special discount through my affiliate link here or using the coupon code "RACH".
How does Pranamat compare with other acupressure mats?
Personally, I can't speak to every other brand of acupressure mat, but I have tried a few other brands out of curiosity (including a cheaper one from Amazon). In my experience, the spikes felt quite dull in comparison and I didn't feel as strong of a penetration as with the Pranamat lotus flowers. I found the Pranamat to be significantly more effective.
This doesn't mean other mats can't be useful tool. If the Pranamat is out of budget, it may be worth trying a cheaper alternative.
Another thing that sets Pranamat apart from other brands is the high quality, natural materials used in their mats. Keep reading to learn more about that!
What is the Pranamat made out of?
The Pranamat is a very high quality acupressure mat that's built to last! The mat is made entirely with natural materials (cotton, linen, and coconut fiber), and the lotus flowers are made with strong recyclable plastic.
The covering of the Pranamat is made with durable, washable linen (see the Pranamat website for instructions on how to care for and wash them). Every set is double-lined with 100% cotton. The mattress itself is made with coconut fiber, which is naturally dust, mold, and odor resistant.
I've been using my Pranamat for a year now and see almost no signs of wear. It essentially looks brand new even after very regular use. You get what you pay for!
Are there any "cons" to the Pranamat?
Honestly, I'd say the main"con" to the Pranamat is the price. It is definitely an investment, and unfortunately not something everyone can afford. That being said, most people that purchase it find it to be well worth it the cost. Getting massages or acupuncture regularly really adds up, and this is a tool with a similar effect that you can use anytime from the comfort of your own home.
The only other "con" I can think of is that it can be uncomfortable to lay on, especially at first. Those first few minutes can be intense. If you start slow and work your way up to more exposure, you should be just fine! The benefits far outweigh the small amount of discomfort.
What is the Pranamat return policy and do they have a warranty?
Yes! They have a 30 trial period where you can test it out and return it if you find it isn't working well for you—so there's little to no risk with purchasing it. If you try it out and decide it's not for you within the first month, you can return it for a full refund.
Pranamat products are all backed with a 5 year warranty, and any defective items will be replaced during that time.
In Summary
The pranamat is an excellent tool that can be helpful for those that struggle with chronic back pain, neck pain, fatigue, stress, insomnia, headaches, migraines, and more. This is one of my very favorite nervous system regulation tools and I use it almost every day! I always feel a sense of calm and tension release after just a few minutes of laying on it. The pranamat has been well worth it for me and I hope you love it as much as we do.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you try out the Pranamat, let me know your thoughts in the comments! Thank you so much for visiting my blog.