A portable therapeutic massage mat includes a base and a plurality of protrusions extending from the base. The protrusions may have a square pyramidal shape or other suitable shapes. The plurality of protrusions, the base, or the entire massage mat may be formed of a material that includes at least one thermochromic pigment. The material that includes the thermochromic pigment may be a thermoplastic elastomer. When a user sits or rests upon the portable massage mat for a time, local blood flow increases causing a rise in local body temperature which is exhibited by a color change of the portable massage mat, due to the thermochromic pigment. The increased local blood flow provides beneficial therapeutic effects such as reducing the appearance of cellulite, relieving minor aches and pain, and relieving minor muscle spasms.