Acupressure after exercise – relieves sore muscles, relieves tension, and promotes faster recovery

After training, one of the most important and often underestimated phases begins: recovery.
It is during this period of rest that your body builds muscle, repairs micro-injuries and brings your nervous system back into balance.

Acupressure can gently support you in this process and help you get ready for your next workout more quickly. In this article, you will learn exactly how it works, what happens in the body and which muscle groups you can target specifically.

Why recovery is so important

Whether after a demanding run or an intense strength session – our body needs time, rest and balance to regain strength for the next workout. Especially after overexertion, it often reacts with:

• muscle soreness

• tension

• general fatigue

• reduced mobility

The more consciously we shape the recovery phase, the better muscles, fascia and the nervous system can regenerate – and this is where acupressure comes in.

What happens in the body during acupressure

Using acupressure – for example by lying on an acupressure mat – stimulates certain pressure points on the skin through hundreds of small plastic spike tips. This targeted stimulation:

• promotes blood circulation

• stimulates the release of endorphins

• relaxes the muscles

• calms pain receptors

• and increases parasympathetic activity – in other words, activates relaxation

These effects are similar to a soothing massage, but work over a larger area and can easily be applied at home.

Particularly effective muscle areas after sport

Acupressure is especially suitable after training for:

• Calves & thighs: To ease muscle soreness, e.g. after running or leg workouts.

• Glutes & back: For tension after strength exercises, yoga or long hikes.

• Neck & shoulders: For stress-related tension or posture-related strain.

• Soles of the feet & hands: To activate reflex zones and improve circulation.

How to use acupressure correctly after exercise

• Duration: Start with 5–10 minutes and increase to 15–20 minutes as needed.

• Intensity: Directly on the skin or with thin clothing – depending on your sensitivity.

• Breathing: Deep and calm – this supports relaxation.

• Timing: Ideal directly after sport or in the evening for recovery.

• Position: You can target specific areas – e.g. calves, glutes or back – or lie on the mat more broadly.

Tip: Our acupressure pillow is particularly suitable for the calves, lower thighs, as well as the neck or lumbar area.

 

Conclusion: Your body will thank you

Acupressure after exercise is a gentle yet effective tool for recovery.
It helps release tension, ease muscle soreness and make you feel better more quickly. Above all, it provides a moment of mindful self-care – and that is exactly what body and mind need most after exertion.

Midsummer Special: 15% off your recovery

To celebrate the festival of light, we are giving you 15% off all orders until Sunday evening – for the start of a new routine with more calm, recovery and connection to nature.

Code: MIDSOMMAR15
Valid until: 23 June, 23:59

Sources:

• Langevin, HM & Churchill, DL (2002): Connective tissue: A body-wide signaling network?
  In: Medical Hypotheses, Elsevier.
• Tsay, A., et al. (2015): Modulation of pain perception by expectation and physical touch: Evidence for a placebo effect in acupuncture.
  In: European Journal of Pain, Wiley.
• Field, T. (2016): Massage therapy research review.
  In: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Elsevier.
• Beardsley, C. & Škarabot, J. (2015): Foam rolling and self–myofascial release: What do we know so far?
  In: Strength & Conditioning Journal, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Harvard Health Publishing (2020): Why muscle recovery matters – and how to speed it up.
  Online: www.health.harvard.edu