{"id":840,"date":"2018-03-12T14:53:57","date_gmt":"2018-03-12T14:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gentleweight.com\/?p=840"},"modified":"2021-01-22T19:56:58","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T19:56:58","slug":"weighted-blanket-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentleweight.com\/weighted-blanket-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Weighted Blanket Therapy: How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Weighted blanket therapy has been gaining more popularity these days. From anxiety and sleep disorders to autism and sensory processing disorders, weighted therapeutic products boast incredible benefits.<\/p>\n

The first thing you need to know about weighted blanket therapy, is that there are no real established guidelines for occupational therapists to pick the right weight and size<\/a> for each individual\u2019s condition, therefore, it can be a rather personal consideration of the therapist after knowing about the specific case, whether to know if weighted blanket therapy is an adequate treatment.<\/p>\n

That said, some therapists would also recommend having trials first with different weights<\/a>, to assess the right one for the patient, so if you can get a trial from the manufacturer that would be really helpful for picking the right one for your specific needs.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t get a trial you could look for a manufacturer that has the feature of adding\/removing weight from their product, to make it more flexible for treatment. Or you can look at some interesting ideas we provide in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Uses of Weighted Blanket Therapy<\/h2>\n

The even pressure of a heavy blanket has been shown to promote deep pressure touch stimulation. When used regularly, a weighted quilt can become a part of an effective therapy that has a soothing, calming effect on your mood.<\/p>\n

Although weighted blanket therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of autism and sensory processing disorders, healthy people can benefit from it too.<\/p>\n

Daily stress and fatigue can negatively affect your sleep and mood. This is where you can opt for the therapy.<\/p>\n

This study<\/a>\u00a0by the University of Massachusetts, showed that the use of weighted comforters helped to significantly reduce the stress levels, regulate blood pressure, and tame anxiety symptoms on acute inpatient mental health adults.<\/p>\n

Plus, it has positive calming effects on people with the obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD<\/a>, and post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n

You can use a heavy blanket on top when lying down or drape it over when standing or sitting (if it’s not one of the really heavy ones). Furthermore, you must know that everyone has different sensory preferences and needs, so find out what works best for you.<\/p>\n

The same applies to children. You can wrap your little one in the weighted quilt like a burrito (just don’t leave him like that for too long), lay it flat on top of them, or drape it over the shoulders. When your child needs a deep touch pressure input, a heavy blanket can easily be great for the therapy.<\/p>\n

If you’re interested in purchasing a weighted blanket for therapy, check out these popular options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Image<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Name<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Fabric<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Filler<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Decorations<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Prices & Details<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n\n

Hazli<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cotton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Micro Glass beads<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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6 colors<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/span>See current price<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n\n

Platinum Health<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Minky and cotton, includes cover<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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CloudSoft Polyfill\u2122 and Stardust Microbeads\u2122<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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5 colors<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/span>See current price<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a>\"\"<\/td>\n\n

Harkla<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Minky and cotton, includes cover.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Glass beads blended with fluffy cotton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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3 color combinations<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/span>See current price<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Occupational Therapy: How Does It Help?<\/h2>\n

Occupational therapy (OT) is a treatment that helps people with a cognitive, sensory, or physical disability to be as independent and productive as possible, in different areas of their lives.<\/p>\n

Not only does occupational therapy help people improve their sensory, physical, and cognitive skills, but also boosts their sense of accomplishment and overall self-esteem.<\/p>\n

Depending on the condition or health issue, OT helps to:<\/p>\n