How Resting on a Bed of Nails Brought me Health and Happiness—Carina Tannenberg, Breast Cancer Survivor

Carina Tannenberg, 53, determined there was no time for negativity after being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39. Instead, the former interior designer made a conscious decision to focus on what was most important: her health.

Carina was attending holistic specialists for healing treatments in addition to her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, she immediately felt weary and struggled to maintain all of her appointments.

“I just kept running to acupuncture, massage, and reiki appointments,” Carina said. “And when you’re sick, having chemo and surgeries and all that radiation, you’re already exhausted – you don’t need another full-time job!” You’re meant to unwind and enjoy yourself.”

Carina’s friend observed her suffering and offered her an acupressure mat to assist her de-stress and relax at home while she was dashing between all of these appointments. “Having a mat covered in small plastic spikes to help treat sore and tight areas was quite intriguing,” she says. “However, I thought it was quite painful, and because I really wanted it to work and help me heal, I began to look into how I could improve it.” So I made my own version, but with more nails. Because, if you think about it, standing on four nails puts a lot of weight on each nail and would be really unpleasant. “However, if you stand on a thousand nails, you barely notice.”

So, while still undergoing cancer treatment, Carina created her own mat, which has now become a thriving internet company and her full-time job after nearly 15 years.

“I created Bed of Nails because I knew acupuncture worked – it’s over a thousand years old and still used for a reason.” When you lie on those nails, you engage the parasympathetic nerve system, which governs your body’s ability to rest, and you enter a state of deep relaxation in an instant. It also causes the production of chemicals such as oxytocin and endorphins, which make you feel incredibly peaceful and joyful. So it’s actually fantastic for anxiety and tension, which I was experiencing at the time. It truly helped me focus on my health.”

Carina now starts her day by lying naked on her mat for roughly 20 minutes. “It shifts my perspective.” My state of mind. I speak to people in different ways. I’m more alert. “I get more done because my mind is so much clearer.”

Carina completes her day with a practice on the mat. “I use it before bed and it makes me sleep so much better.” Acupuncture is about restoring balance to your body, shutting down your thoughts, and simply being in the moment. It’s similar to restarting a computer.”

Carina discovered that spending time in nature helped her maintain her health and happiness. “Nature has been extremely healing for me.” I need to be near trees or the beach. It’s really grounding, and it recharges me.”

Carina’s positive attitude toward her disease has improved when she discovered acupressure. “I actually look back on that time with a lot of good feelings,” Carina says. “Of course, it was frightening, but the diagnosis forced me to focus entirely on my well-being and health, and I’m grateful for that because I learned so much.” It’s almost as if I were reincarnated.”