Acupressure mats: what they do and how to choose one
An acupressure mat is thousands of plastic points on a foam pad. What it can and can't do, how to choose one, how to use it, and who should leave it alone.
Writer
Neil Telford
Neil worked as a sports-massage therapist in Yorkshire before moving to Kitakyushu. He writes about stiff shoulders, backs, desks and floor sitting, in plain words and without selling you a gadget.
Articles by Neil
How to fix your posture: habits and exercises that help
There is no perfect posture to snap into. How to fix your posture with small habits and a ten-minute routine, and when a slouch needs a doctor.
Sitting on the floor: seiza, zabuton and a happier lower back
Seiza, cross-legged, legs to one side: how to sit on the floor in Japan without wrecking your back, knees or dignity when you stand up.
Desk posture without the gadgets
You do not need an expensive chair to work from home in comfort. A stack of books, a cushion and a timer will get you most of the way.
Katakori: why stiff shoulders are Japan's signature complaint
Stiff shoulders are one of the most common complaints in Japan. What katakori is, why it builds up, what helps, and when it needs a doctor.