The Spoonk mat was recommended to me by my sister, who had recently bought one for herself, and loved it. I did some research online, and saw all of the positive reviews, and decided to give it a shot. The Spoonk mat arrived quickly, in a very cool travel bag. The large mat is big enough for the whole back, and the smaller mat folds up and secures to make a pillow for shoulders, neck, and head. Both mats are covered in small plastic disks that have 25 + closely spaced raised, sharp, triangular points that are about 1/4 of an inch high. The points are not quite sharp enough to make you bleed, but they are very sharp. Based on the other reviews, I laid on the mats the first time with my shirt on. I didn't really feel much at all. The second time I used the mats in the buff. The pain was so exquisite that I could only tolerate about five minutes. The next time, I put in some relaxing music, and set a goal to try to stay on the mat for 20 minutes. Oh, what wonderful, magical bliss! After the first five or so minutes of pain, the pain sort of melts away into a feeling of warmth. It literally feels like I am laying on a heating pad or electric blanket. I guess the nerve endings acclimate to the pointy things when you lay still. Then comes a magical feeling as the endorphins kick in; a feeling of deep relaxation and meditative bliss. This feeling lasts for quite a while, at least for me. I describe it as a runner's high, without all that tedious running. I am now trying to make time every day to use the mat. Sometimes after a rough day at work, I can't wait to get home to lie on the mat and decompress. I've bought one as a gift for my mom, and have recommended it to countless other people. My only wish for the Spoonk is that one day they will make one that is full-sized, like a twin size bed. My only precautionary warning about the Spoonk is to make sure you position yourself carefully so that as you lie down, you don't need to adjust your position by sliding around on it, because it does hurt when you slide around on it. It also helps if you roll off the mat, or have someone give you a hand as you sit up. I have added a few photos of the spikes. Read more

Functional med doc recommended this to assist with some anxiety and assist with relaxation. How can lying on a mat full of golf spikes help you relax?! No clue. But I’ll be damned if this sucker doesn’t work. I’ve sent about a half dozen to other people when they can’t sleep at night. Seriously follow the directions and I swear you will sleep better, deeper and wake up feeling more refreshed. Start with a thin tshirt and work up to bare skin. The only downside is when you fall asleep on it and wake up at 3am, it’s a real b*tch rolling off lol. And I actually looked at the difference between my sleep quality when Inuse it vs when I don’t and there’s no arguing I sleep soundly and deeper when I use the mat, even if I use it before bedtime and don’t fall asleep in it.9 Read more

I've been using these acupuncture mats for at least 2 years now. I can't remember when I bought Spoonk, but it's been at least that long. I have two sets. I take the small one everywhere if I have to sit for a long time. I stand, sit and lie on it.I used a pillow case to place over the mat initially because I couldn't go on it bare footed. Slowly I graduated to the real deal. I built my endurance on the mat by 5 min increments. Now before I go to sleep I'm on it for 15-20 min. What does standing on it do? It gives me a deep, satisfying sleep like I used to have as a child.I also sit on the mat when I need it. The mat helps when my sciatica acts up. Those of you that have it know where the pain hits you. Lying on it also helps with my sciatica and sleep of course. You don't have to lie on it to sleep deeply. Standing on it is good, too.This product has helped me a great deal with pain and sleep issues. I've told my friends about it and those who have it have had similar experiences. I don't have any connections to Spoonk except using their products. Excellent acupuncture mat! Read more

Holy moly! I was *highly* skeptical reading the description of this product. Hundreds of...needly things? Wasn't that a Stephen King book? I mean, I'm a fan and all, but...Anyway, this was highly recommended by a friend who also suffers from muscle aches (though hers are more from actually *using* her muscles), and since I do suffer from chronic (and sometimes debilitating) back pain, figured I'd try it. Full disclosure: I haven't worked up the nerve to fully lie down on this thing yet - but I *did* roll up the travel sized one that comes with and lean on it while at my desk. UN. BELIEVE. ABLE! True, it's a little stabby initially, but my back usually has a "spot" where the muscles like to join together and rebel, probably because they hate me. This spot moves, by the way, so it's not always the same spot - because who doesn't love variety? Within 10 minutes of sitting on this, the spot was no longer killing me! When I stood up to get something from the printer at work, I actually thought I felt "funny" - til I realized it was because I wasn't hurting like I normally do. I didn't sit on it all day - I took it off, stood for a bit (I have a standing desk), sat again, used it again, etc. It's a cycle (and that's probably as close to a cycling class as I'll ever get. ) I brought it back home with me and used it in the evening as well, and I really did sleep better! AND I woke up on time (a minor miracle!) I'm a believer. Try it! Embrace the stabby! Read more

This product i felt relief the very first use! It does take a little getting used to because the first 5-10 min. can be intense until your body gets used to the intensity of first use and then your muscles relax and you can feel the pulsing work thru the pain. I was on it for about 25 min. the first try and i slept through the night with out tossing and turning from pain for the first time in years! I had a back injury over a year ago and nothing has helped ease the pain, but this is AWESOME! Again, it takes a little getting used to the first few times, but hang in there, work thru the initial pain the first few minitues and the end results will be very satisfying. I use this almost every night before bed for about 30-40 min. and every morning I stand on it for about 5 min. as well. The first week I used this product several times a day, and now I feel so much better i almost forget to use it! Read more

I went for spoonk as more of the materials seemed eco friendly than some of the other brands. It came really quickly. Much quicker than the Amazon estimate.I've had it two days and am already a big fan. It feels amazing on my upper back and neck. So much so that when I was at work today I was thinking about it. Literally looking forward to getting home so I could get it out again.With this set I like the way you can roll the travel mat up to make a neck support. I also love the little ball, my kids really enjoyed playing with it. Good thing to have for fidgity restless children.It does feel intense when you first lay on it but that goes fairly quickly. Not sure if it's reducing back pain overall, as I've not had it long enough to say, but it's definitely increasing relaxation and reducing tension. Read more

Arrived quickly. Good quality and decent size. The travel size can be used to support your head by rolling it up, otherwise it makes a good travel mat.Now for the details. Yes, it can be uncomfortable or even slightly painful when you first use it, but if you can endure it for a few minutes the discomfort begins to fade. It felt like a burning, slightly stinging feeling at first (I used it on bare skin to my back and neck the 1st time). Over time the burning and stinging faded (though didn't go away entirely) and I began to feel a very warming sensation and muscle relaxation. I managed 10 minutes. Afterwards my skin was red (to be expected), very warm and slightly inflamed. It felt like my circulation was had really been increased to the area. I definitely noticed some muscle relaxation (I get stiff and tense from workouts, work and stress). I also think it provides some mental relaxation as well. Each time I try the mat I am able to tolerate longer periods. I even tried it on my quads/hip flexors as they are chronically tight no matter how much I stretch them. I feel like it really helped ease some of the tension and tightness. It was quite uncomfortable- burning, stinging and itchy (similar to a skin allergic reaction) but I feel like the muscle relaxation was worth the discomfort. My quads were super red and inflamed afterwards, but it didn't last long. The muscle relaxation following that was worth it. It's important to note that the redness and inflammation is an increase in bloodflow and the body's reaction to the stimulus- totally normal and okay. I haven't felt the sense of deep relaxation or euphoria that some people have reported, though I am still working my way up in time, and I am pretty wound up person. I think it has the potential to aid with deep relaxation and better sleep. Read more

I bought a knock-off (in grey in my posted picture) that was delivered quickly and looked and felt just like a Spoonk mat but half the price. I returned it because the 'stimulation points' (the pokey bits) were smaller than the Spoonk Mat I borrowed (see the light green mat in my picture). I wondered whether it would have the same effect. I'm sure it would have an effect but not sure it would be as pronounced.So you can buy them cheaper -- and maybe it will work -- but I didn't want to take a chance. I love my Spoonk mat and am shocked that I always fall asleep on it. I wasn't expecting it to be a relaxation aid but it is. The Spoonk ball that comes with it is great for my stand up desk and working my plantar fasciitis. I also wasn't expecting that to work as well either!In short, this is a great product. I wish I knew how it worked but still would strongly recommend it to anyone with acute back pain but also for relaxation and as a sleep aid. Read more

I bought this for my daughter with fibromyalgia. She can't even lay on it for more than a couple seconds because it's so pokey. She tried to endure (she's good at that) but just couldn't. So I rated pain relief at 1 but really she just can't use it in order to tell! I have layed on it myself and find it uncomfortable but tolerable but I can't judge it since I don't have pain to relieve... Read more

The first time you lay on this thing shirtless, it’s pretty intense and uncomfortable, BUT after a couple minutes you settle right into a state of deep relation. I experienced a deep relaxation and fell asleep on the mat, which was surprising given how uncomfortable it was at first. I can’t say it’s relieved back pain, but it’s good for relaxation and to trigger other sensations in your back to subside any existing pain, if that makes sense. Read more