Scientific Research Journal of India (SRJI) Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 2015

Mini Review

A Historical Exploration of the Acupressure Mat Patents

Ayush Sharma*
*DLS Medical Care & EDS, Mohammadabad Gohna, Mau, U.P., India.

Abstract

Acupoints are the key points used in Traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM), for diagnosis and treatment
with more than 400 acupuncture points spread all over the body. Though we can find several
Acupressure mats in market, it is worth exploring how deep its roots are in terms of its beginning. This
mini review tries to explore the history of Acupressure mats.
Keywords: History, Acupressure, Acupressure mats

Introduction Though there had been several patents for these

devices, I would mention five (5) initial but
Acupressure is more than 4000 years old
innovative patents in my opinion.
system of diagnosis and treatment with more
The first such equipment seems to be from
than 400 acupoints spread all over the body.[1-2]
1981, when DeLisle RW and LeBlanc C
The TCM has gained its fame in Western world
registered a massage and exercise mat. It was
since 1970s, when an editor James Reston who
made of a resilient material. It had two rows of
had gone to cover China visit of the 37th
projections positioned in such a way that it
American President Mr. Nixon, came back with
could provide acupressure point stimulation on
his real life experience on use of Acupuncture
either side of spinal column.[92]
as anesthesia during his appendectomy.[3-4]
In the year 1982, Sunhak B registered a device
Now, though there are several self-help
for pressing and heating the body. It had
acupressure/ acupuncture guides in the market
acupressure projection with small holes. Steam
for almost any common ailment[5-91] there is not
used to come out from the projections to
much literature on the history of various
provide both Acupressure and heat therapy
Acupressure mats used to administer
together.[93]
Acupressure.
In the year 1984, Fratzer UDM applied to
This mini review tries to explore the depth of
register an Acupressure mat with little
historical roots of these equipment.
projections.[94]
In the same year 1984, Suho I registered a
History of Acupressure mats
pressure-mat. Its' projections were made of a

1
Scientific Research Journal of India (SRJI)
mixture of urethane, mugwort powder and
sawdust.[95]
In the year 1990, Bukowski VZ registered an
Acupressure foot massage mat. It could be
placed on a flat surface, be hung on a wall or be
draped over a chair to provide acupressure on
the desired area of body. It also had attachment
to allows two or more mats to be joined.[96]
Reference
[1] Sharma KN (2012) Atlas of acupressure
points. CreateSpace, USA.
[2] Sharma KN (2013) Atlas of Acupuncture
Points. CreateSpace, USA.
[3] O'Connor J, Bensky D (1980) Acupuncture:
A Comprehensive Text: Shanghai College of
Traditional Medicine. Chicago, III: Eastland
Press.
[4] Lee MH, Liao SJ (1990) Acupuncture in
physiatry. In: Kottke FJ, Lehmann JF, eds.
Krusen's Handbook of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB
Saunders Co; pp:402-432
[5] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Arthritis Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[6] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Hypothyroidism Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[7] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Fibromyalgia Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[8] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Hyperthyroidism Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[9] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Breast
Cancer Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[10] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Fibromyalgia Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[11] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Hypothyroidism Made Easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 2015
[12] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Hyperthyroidism Made Easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[13] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for Breast
Cancer Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[14] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Acne
Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[15] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for Acne
Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[16] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Sciatica Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[17] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Lumbar Slipped Disc Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[18] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Lumbar Spondylosis Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[19] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for HIV
and AIDS Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[20] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Neck
Pain Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[21] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Dementia Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[22] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Backache Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[23] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Myasthenia Gravis Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[24] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Cervical Slipped Disc Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[25] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Diabetes Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[26] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Arthritis Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[27] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Muscular Dystrophy Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[28] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Head
Injury Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
2
Scientific Research Journal of India (SRJI)
[29] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Stroke
Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[30] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Smoking Addiction Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[31] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Tinnitus Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[32] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Motor
Neuron Disease Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[33] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Migraine Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[34] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Trigeminal Neuralgia Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[35] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Schizophrenia Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[36] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Hemiplegia Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[37] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Tics
Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[38] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Epilepsy Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[39] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Infertility Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[40] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Impotence Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[41] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for Drug
Addiction Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[42] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Headache Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[43] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Cervical Spondylosis Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[44] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Alcohol Addiction Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[45] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Obesity and Weight Loss Simplified.
CreateSpace, USA.
[46] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Parkinsonism Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 2015
[47] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Multiple Sclerosis Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[48] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Allergies Simplified. CreateSpace, USA.
[49] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Alzheimer's Disease Simplified. CreateSpace,
USA.
[50] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for HIV
AIDS Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[51] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Headache Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[52] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
lumbar slipped disc made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[53] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
smoking addiction made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[54] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
trigeminal neuralgia made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[55] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
myasthenia gravis made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[56] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
muscular dystrophy made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[57] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
epilepsy made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[58] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
cervical slipped disc made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[59] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
alcohol addiction made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[60] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
lumbar spondylosis made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[61] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for drug
addiction made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[62] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
tinnitus made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
3
Scientific Research Journal of India (SRJI)
[63] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for tics
made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[64] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for stroke
made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[65] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
impotence made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[66] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
dementia made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[67] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
cervical spondylosis made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[68] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
sciatica made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[69] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for neck
pain made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[70] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
backache made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[71] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
allergies made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[72] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
schizophrenia made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[73] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
obesity and weight loss made easy.
CreateSpace, USA.
[74] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for motor
neuron disease made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[75] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
migraine made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[76] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
infertility made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[77] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
hemiplegia made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[78] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for head
injury made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[79] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
diabetes made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[80] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
cerebral palsy made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 2015
[81] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
alzheimer's disease made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[82] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure in
Neurological Conditions: An Illustrated Guide.
CreateSpace, USA.
[83] Sharma KN (2013) Acupressure for
Cerebral Palsy Made Easy: An Illustrated Self
Treatment Guide. CreateSpace, USA.
[84] Sharma KN (2013) Neuro-Acupressure
Made Easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[85] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture for
Cerebral Palsy Simplified: An Illustrated
Guide. CreateSpace, USA.
[86] Sharma KN (2013) Neuro-Acupuncture
Made Easy: An Illustrated Guide. CreateSpace,
USA.
[87] Sharma KN (2013) Acupuncture in
Neurological Conditions: An Illustrated Guide.
CreateSpace, USA.
[88] Sharma KN (2012) Acupressure for
parkinsonism made easy. CreateSpace, USA.
[89] Sharma KN (2012) Acupressure for
multiple sclerosis made easy. CreateSpace,
USA.
[90] Sharma J, Sharma A (2014) English
Language Kindle Books in Acupuncture and
Acupressure A 5-Year Analysis. Scientific
Research Journal of India, 3(4): 5-9.
[91] Sharma J, Sharma A (2014) English
Language Paperback Books in Acupuncture
and Acupressure: A 5-Year Analysis. Scientific
Research Journal of India, 3(4): 10-14
[92] DeLisle RW, LeBlanc C (1981) US Patent
No. US06269685 U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, Washington, DC, USA.
[93] Sunhak B (1982) KR Patent No.
KR820008474U Korean patent office, Korea
[94] Fratzer UDM (1984) DE Patent No.
DE19843404528 Denmark patent office,
Denmark
4
Scientific Research Journal of India (SRJI) Volume 4 • Issue 3 • 2015

[95] Suho I (1984) KR Patent No.

KR840007678U Korean patent office, Korea
[96] Bukowski VZ (1990) US Patent No.
US07629376 U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, Washington, DC, USA.