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Deep pressure therapy, or DPT, is a form of therapy that uses firm touch to calm the nervous system, which is intended to help people feel less anxious or more relaxed. It may also be called deep pressure stimulation or deep pressure stimulation.
โDeep pressure stimulation uses intense pressure to induce a sense of calm in a person,โ says Kelly Murray, a certified sleep coach at Sleepopolis. โThis intense pressure can also increase levels of serotonin, the feel-good hormone; decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol; and increase levels of melatonin.โ This means that this intense pressure, which can be applied in a variety of ways, including holding, cuddling, squeezing, or swaddling, makes people feel calmer, more relaxed, and more open to rest.
Because itโs easy to do, this type of therapy has a variety of uses. People who struggle with anxiety, those whoโve had a stressful day, and those with certain conditions like autism, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, restless leg syndrome, and chronic pain can all benefit. โRegardless of whether we have a diagnosable condition, we all have sensory needs โ some of us need high sensory input, and some of us like low,โ says Shannon Mead, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Sleepopolis.
The availability of deep pressure therapy means that anyone can benefit. Therapy can be as simple as a tight hug, curling up with a weighted blanket, or wearing a special vest. And the benefits can be impressive:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Better sleep
Feeling calm and happy
Improved school performance
Improved focus
How does deep pressure stimulation work?
The autonomic nervous system is made up of two parts โ the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The former is responsible for our ingrained โfight or flightโ response and is sensitive to gentle touch, which is why a gentle tickle on the neck can be irritating. Meanwhile, the parasympathetic system controls functions related to rest and digestion, and its activation has a calming effect on the entire body. โDeep pressure stimulation affects your parasympathetic nervous system,โ says Stephen Light, a certified sleep science coach and CEO/co-owner of Nolah Technologies, Sleepopolis. โGentle pressure activates touch receptors, producing a calming effect by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.โ
The sympathetic nervous system is what triggers the bodyโs response to stressful situations. But staying in this high-stress state for too long can cause chronic anxiety, exhaustion, panic attacks, and even sleep disturbances. Switching to the parasympathetic nervous system has a relaxing effect that relieves muscle tension and improves circulation, promoting feelings of calm and happiness. Thatโs where deep-pressure therapy comes in. It can be applied with just your hands, with tools like weighted blankets, robes, and eye masks, and even with specially trained service dogs.
Deep Pressure Therapy and Anxiety
Deep pressure therapy has its roots in occupational therapy. Therapists working with hyperactive children and adults use deep pressure as a calming tool, as research shows it can be an effective way to help people relax.
Deep Pressure Therapy and Autism
Parents of children with autism have long used deep pressure to calm heightened states and reduce anxiety that can result from the childโs inability to adequately process sensations from the environment and their own body. People with autism are likely to have these kinds of sensory processing issues, making it difficult to switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic system. Deep pressure therapy has the added benefit of supporting body awareness, as well as calming the central nervous system and initiating this switch.
Deep Pressure Therapy and Children
About one in six children who arenโt on the autism spectrum may have problems with self-regulation and sensory processing, and deep pressure therapy can be an effective tool in these scenarios. It can calm overstimulated children who have trouble sitting still or who are in full-blown tantrums, and some small studies suggest it may be immediately effective.
Children may signal their need for deep pressure therapy in unintentional ways. For example, they may prefer tight clothing or insist on sleeping under multiple heavy blankets and pillows. Other signs may include leaning toward people, bumping into walls and furniture, crawling into tight spaces, or tensing their muscles.
Mead gives a good example. โWhen my son was little, he would play ping-pong between the walls as we walked down the hall to bed,โ she says. โI didnโt know about sensory needs at the time, but looking back, itโs clear he was just getting a few doses of sensory input before he got used to it. So pay attention to things that may seem insignificant.โ
Is deep pressure therapy safe for all kids?
Dr. Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis, notes that itโs not recommended for very young children or infants. โTalk to your pediatrician first,โ she says. โIf theyโre a little older, preschool or older, then you can use [a weighted blanket], but you really should think about making it heavier.โ
She also advises against using weighted blankets, sleep sacks, or other weighted products on infants in general, a recommendation supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). โItโs actually older children and adults who find them more helpful,โ she adds. If you're unsure, talk to your pediatrician about whether deep pressure therapy or any type of weighted product is right for your child.