sometimes it isn't the mat, it is the worn blade in the cutter that causes the problems
I have seen so many quilters at retreats that put so much pressure on the cutter that it goes into the mat. Some say they want to make sure it cuts all the way through. Some say the blade is skipping so they have to press to get it to cut. No wonder their hand and shoulder hurts. I use a weighted cutter so I don't have to push it through the fabric.