Nobody really knows how acupuncture works – even alternative healthcare workers have divergent opinions.

Whether by the placebo effect or through some kind of magical life energy, though, many people continue to swear by its effectiveness, especially when it comes to non-chemical pain relief. This is particularly true for aches that doctors can’t do anything about or even identify a cause for.

Whatever your feelings about acupuncture itself, you may not have much faith in any particular needle doctor, or at least not enough to pay their fees. This device offers a do-it-yourself solution.

The idea behind it seems to be that (A) people operating on themselves should probably not risk infection by piercing the skin, and (B) since you won’t know which point to treat, you may as well hit as many of them as possible.

Is it fun to use? Nope. How much discomfort you experience lying on this studded surface depends, literally, on how thick your skin is.

Some say it only hurts a little at first and when you get off; others claim that lying on it definitely hurts but is compensated for by the amount of pain and tension it relieves. Most, it seems, are positive that it does reduce pain caused by anything from muscle fatigue to chronic conditions, especially with daily use.

Most people who have some experience with this technique suggest that you take off your shirt when using it, possibly after covering the spikes with a light sheet.

The pillow can be used on the sensitive skin on the back of your head and neck, or as a kind of rudimentary foot massager.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether the possibility of long-term relief is worth the discomfort of using this device. Also, remember that it’s always worthwhile consulting a doctor before trying any new treatment, whether medical or holistic.