How weighted blankets can help with fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia often suffer from relentless pain, extreme fatigue, mood swings, headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms that can make normal, everyday life difficult. In recent years, more and more people with fibromyalgia have turned to a cozy solution to manage their chronic pain and muscle soreness: weighted blankets. Therapy blankets are known to reduce stress and provide a sense of calm, making them a popular gift for friends and family members. 

Weighted Blankets for Fibromyalgia

Understanding Fibromyalgia Pain 

Before we talk about the benefits of weighted blankets for fibromyalgia, it is helpful to understand what fibromyalgia is and how it feels. In short, fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. These pains are often accompanied by other symptoms and complaints, such as extreme fatigue, aching and stiff muscles, depression, sleep problems, concentration difficulties, and high sensitivity to cold or heat. Restless legs syndrome also frequently occurs with the condition.

In Germany, 2 out of 100 adults suffer from fibromyalgia, often women between the ages of 40 and 60. Many affected describe the sensation as burning pain or a feeling of needle pricks, or as if they were constantly battling a cold or flu. In addition to these unpleasant symptoms, people with fibromyalgia often face great skepticism about their condition, as doctors cannot determine the exact cause of their symptoms. Research into the causes is still limited in Germany. It is suspected that personal predisposition, stressful life events, poorly managed stress, and overload play a role.  

Benefits of weighted blankets for fibromyalgia 

Given that many doctors do not always take fibromyalgia patients seriously, it is not surprising that more and more fibromyalgia patients are turning to weighted blankets to relieve their symptoms. But how exactly can a weighted blanket help with this often misunderstood disease?

Here are four ways a therapy blanket can help you manage your symptoms:

Relief from anxiety and depression 

According to a study from the USA, people with fibromyalgia are up to three times more likely to suffer from depression than other adults. Weighted blankets can help ease restless thoughts and anxiety. In a small study published in the American journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 63 percent of participants reported feeling less stressed and anxious after using a weighted blanket. 

Relief from fibromyalgia pain

For many people with fibromyalgia, pain is often the most challenging symptom they regularly have to deal with. Of course, it is unpleasant to have pain all day long. One way to relieve the pain is to snuggle under a therapy blanket. Weighted blankets can help relieve pain by relaxing the mind and reducing tension throughout the body.

Improves sleep quality 

Due to constant pain, fatigue, and mood swings, it can be extremely difficult to get a good night's sleep with fibromyalgia. Weighted blankets can help you achieve better sleep by relieving your fibromyalgia pain and increasing serotonin levels in the brain, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Reduces fatigue

Extreme fatigue and fibromyalgia go hand in hand. One way to find relief? Cuddling with a therapy blanket. A weighted blanket can help reduce your fatigue in several ways. First, it can help relieve pain, making it easier to fall asleep. This in turn reduces fatigue because your body uses a lot of energy to cope with chronic pain. 

Improve your days and nights with a therapy blanket

Fibromyalgia can undoubtedly be a debilitating disease. Fortunately, therapy blankets can help improve your nights and thus your days. If you want to know what it's all about, you can order one of our blankets today and try it for 28 days. We know you will love the results!