When Should You Not Use a Grounding Mat?

Grounding mats help many people feel better, but they’re not for everyone. In some cases, they can cause more harm than good. 

If you have certain health issues or medical devices, it’s important to be careful. This guide shows when you should skip grounding therapy, and why it matters for your safety.

• Avoid grounding mats if you have implanted medical devices or pacemakers to prevent interference.

• If you are extremely sensitive to EMF, grounding may worsen your symptoms.
  
  

• Do not use grounding mats during recovery from surgery or medical procedures.
  
  

• Pregnant women in the first trimester should skip grounding therapy to ensure safety.
  
  

• Always consult your doctor before using a grounding mat if you have certain health conditions or are on medication.

• Grounding mats can mess with your pacemaker: If you use a pacemaker or similar device, grounding mats can send signals that confuse or interfere with how the device works.

• A small electric current can cause a big health risk: Even though grounding mats use low-level currents, they can still affect implanted devices and lead to serious health problems.

• Talking to your doctor can help you avoid danger: Before using any grounding therapy, your doctor needs to check if it’s safe for your specific medical device.

• It’s safer to stay away if you depend on a device to live: If your health depends on an implanted device like a pacemaker, it’s just not worth the risk to use a grounding mat.

• Some People Feel Sick Around Electronics: EMF sensitivity is when someone’s body reacts badly to things like Wi-Fi, cell phones, or electronic devices. This can cause real discomfort, even if others don’t feel anything at all.

• Grounding Can Sometimes Make These Reactions Worse: While grounding mats help many people, those with extreme EMF sensitivity might actually feel worse when they use them, especially if they’re surrounded by electronics.

• Headaches and Anxiety May Get Stronger with Grounding: Instead of feeling calm, EMF-sensitive people might get stronger headaches, feel more tired, or become more anxious when using a grounding mat.

• More EMF in the Room Can Make Grounding Riskier: If there are lots of EMF sources around, like Wi-Fi, TVs, or power cords, using a grounding mat can pull more of that energy through the body, making the discomfort even worse.

• Grounding Only Helps When EMF Levels Are Low: To stay safe, it’s best for sensitive people to only try grounding in places with very little EMF, like outdoors or in a room with all electronics turned off.

• Grounding should not be used right after surgery: Right after any surgery or medical procedure, your body needs uninterrupted time to heal. Using grounding therapy during this period can interfere with that natural recovery process.

• Grounding can affect how your blood flows during recovery: During healing, proper blood flow is important to carry oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. Grounding mats can change how blood circulates, which may slow down recovery after surgery.

• Grounding might interfere with the effects of anesthesia: If you recently had anesthesia, grounding therapy could interrupt its effects. Anesthesia changes how your body feels and responds, and grounding might make these effects less predictable.

• Using grounding too soon may slow down healing of wounds: Grounding mats might affect the healing of surgical cuts or incisions. Using them too early could disturb sensitive areas and possibly lead to slower recovery or complications.

• Always check with your doctor before using grounding after surgery: Before starting grounding therapy after a medical procedure, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They’ll know if and when it’s safe based on your specific condition and healing progress.

• It’s better to wait a few weeks before grounding again: Give your body time to heal fully before going back to grounding therapy. Waiting a few weeks after surgery is usually safer and gives your body the time it needs to recover properly.

• Grounding therapy isn’t safe during early pregnancy: The first trimester is a delicate time for fetal development, so it’s important to avoid any treatments, like grounding therapy, that could disrupt the natural process.

• Grounding therapy could interfere with pregnancy hormones: Grounding therapy might affect hormones like progesterone, oestrogen, and relaxin, which are crucial for the baby’s growth and the health of the placenta.

• Always consult your doctor before trying grounding: It’s essential to consult your doctor before trying grounding therapy during the first trimester to ensure it’s safe for both you and your baby.
  

Grounding therapy should never be used on open wounds or active infections. The mats might worsen an infection or irritate a skin injury. 

Using a grounding mat on a wound could potentially accelerate the infection or lead to more serious health complications. 

It’s essential to allow your skin to heal before using a grounding mat. Always cover any open wounds or infections and wait for them to heal fully before trying grounding therapy again.

• Medications That Affect Circulation May Require Caution: If you're on medications like blood thinners, grounding therapy might not be suitable for you. These medications can affect blood flow, and using grounding mats could lead to unexpected reactions.

• Talk to Your Doctor About Grounding Therapy Risks: Blood thinners and similar medications alter circulation, so it’s important to consult your doctor before using grounding mats. They can help assess if it’s safe to combine the two.

• Your Doctor Will Guide You on Safe Use: Consulting your healthcare provider is key. They’ll let you know if using grounding mats is safe with your current medications and can help you avoid any potential risks.

• Grounding Therapy Can Worsen Severe Health Conditions: Grounding therapy is not safe for individuals with severe neurological or circulatory issues. It could make existing conditions worse.

• Neuropathy and Poor Circulation Can Get Worse: If you have neuropathy or poor circulation, using a grounding mat might worsen your symptoms and cause more discomfort.

• Grounding Can Disrupt Nerve Function and Blood Flow: For people with nerve or circulation problems, grounding therapy could disrupt nerve function and blood flow, potentially leading to complications.

• Heart and Nerve Damage Can Make Grounding Unpredictable: Those with heart issues or nerve damage should be cautious, as the effects of grounding therapy could be unpredictable and harmful.

• Consult Your Doctor Before Trying Grounding Therapy: Before using grounding therapy, especially if you have serious health concerns, consult your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.

“Grounding means tapping into the Earth’s freely available, always accessible, and ever-powerful natural energy to rebalance your body and restore your health,” says Ann Marie Chiasson, a physician and integrative medicine expert known for her work in energy healing and holistic health. 

Grounding mats may interfere with pacemakers and other implanted devices. Always consult your doctor before use.

Some mats contain nickel or silver fibers, which may irritate sensitive skin. Test a small patch first.

People with high EMF sensitivity may feel worse with grounding mats—watch for headaches or fatigue.

Mild tingling is often just your body adjusting. Start with short sessions to stay comfortable.

Avoid grounding mats during surgery recovery—they could affect blood flow and delay healing.

Pregnant women in the first trimester should skip grounding therapy due to possible hormonal effects.

Do not place grounding mats on open cuts or infected skin—they may make conditions worse.

If you have diabetes, heart issues, or immune problems, consult your physician before trying grounding therapy.

Test your outlets with a grounding tester—improper grounding can make the mat unsafe.

Unplug mats during thunderstorms to avoid shocks or damage from lightning surges.

• Not Everyone Responds the Same: Grounding therapy mats offer many benefits, but they aren't always safe for everyone. While most people can use them without issues, some may experience side effects like skin irritation or discomfort, especially if they have sensitive skin.

• Temporary Side Effects Are Possible: Some users report temporary dizziness or fatigue as their body adjusts to grounding, so it’s a good idea to start with short sessions and see how your body responds.
• Be Cautious with Medical Devices: If you have heart conditions or use medical implants, you should be cautious. These mats could interfere with electronic devices like pacemakers or other medical equipment.

• Watch for Metal Allergies: People with metal allergies, a skin reaction to metals like nickel causing rashes or irritation, may also want to avoid them to prevent reactions.

• Always Consult a Healthcare Professional: Always consult with your doctor before starting any new therapy, especially if you have a health condition or concerns about side effects.

• Wood and Carpet Flooring May Interfere with Grounding: Grounding therapy mats work by connecting you to the earth’s electrical energy. However, using them on wood or carpet may reduce their effectiveness because these materials do not conduct electricity well. For optimal results, grounding mats should be placed on conductive surfaces like natural stone or concrete.

• Synthetic Flooring Might Block Grounding: Synthetic materials often have insulating properties that prevent a proper grounding connection. Using a grounding mat on synthetic flooring may not provide the same benefits as on more conductive surfaces. It's important to ensure the mat is in direct contact with the earth or another conductive surface for the best effect.

• Always Consult Your Doctor Before Use: Before using any therapy mat, including grounding mats, it's important to check with a healthcare professional, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions.

• Extreme Heat Damages the Mat: High temperatures can cause the mat’s materials to break down, making it less effective for grounding your body.

• Excessive Heat Lowers Conductivity: Excessive heat can lower the mat’s conductivity, reducing its efficiency in grounding you properly.

• Cold Weather Affects Mat Flexibility: When exposed to cold temperatures, the mat becomes stiff, making it uncomfortable and less functional.

• Freezing Conditions Reduce Comfort: In freezing weather, the mat loses flexibility, making it harder to use and less comfortable.

• Extreme Temperatures Shorten Durability: Both extreme heat and cold can wear out the mat over time, shortening its durability.