How does a weighted blanket work?

weighted blanket as a key to body perception

As the name suggests, a weighted blanket is not an ordinary blanket. It weighs. This weight is based on the customer's body weight and height. It is important that the weight is chosen correctly (10% of body weight). The deep pressure exerted by the weight has a relaxing effect on the joints, muscles, and tendons. This effect is also known as "Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation," which is caused by a firm, gentle, and even pressure at the same time. One comes to rest internally and physically. Body perception normalizes. In technical terms, this state is also called self-organization.

The therapist, Tina Champagne, has observed that the weight of the sensory blanket helps to better understand body reflexes and regulate negative emotions. Ms. Champagne also recommends a therapy blanket in the treatment of depression and panic attacks.

Improvement of sleep quality

A weighted blanket can noticeably improve sleep quality. Sleep problems have many faces. Perhaps an illness makes falling asleep difficult. Or one can't switch off their mind in the evening and gets caught in a spiral of anxiety. Maybe the day-night rhythm is out of balance and one simply cannot fall asleep. Or the sensory overload we are exposed to daily prevents the nervous system from calming down. There are many reasons for lack of sleep, but a weighted blanket can help in most cases.

Weighted blankets promote the release of the hormone serotonin while simultaneously reducing cortisol levels (the so-called stress hormone). The deep pressure exerted by the weight signals the body a feeling of safety and security. The result is a euphoric feeling of complete relaxation of the body and nervous system. The body also releases the sleep hormone melatonin, so you can fall asleep peacefully, deeper, and faster or sit calmly and relaxed on the couch or at work. The body can regenerate particularly well overnight, and the next day you feel fit, productive, and in a better mood. It is no exaggeration to say that quality of life increases.

weighted blanket in patients with chronic pain

People affected by chronic pain also experience relief of their symptoms when sleeping under a weighted blanket. The deep pressure has a pain-relieving effect. Often ongoing treatments can be shortened or interrupted. Tina Champagne observed in her patients that the pain is distributed over several body areas instead of accumulating strongly in one spot. This pain relocation provides great relief for sufferers, especially for patients with very intense pain.

Instructions for use

Weighted blankets are medical devices and accordingly some usage instructions must be observed. If respiratory, heart, or circulatory problems are known, we always recommend consulting a general practitioner before purchasing a weighted blanket. People diagnosed with scoliosis or diabetes should also seek medical advice.

Weighted blankets are available for both children and adults. If you want to buy a weighted blanket for a toddler under 12 months, please consult your pediatrician first. The weight of a therapy blanket should not be too heavy and should be about 10% of the body weight. The child's head and neck must not be covered by the blanket. The child must always be able to breathe and must not feel suffocated. Talk to your child and observe how they react to the weight. Often it is enough to cover the child for about 20 minutes before bedtime.

Adults can be more generous when choosing the weight. 

Therapists recommend weighted blankets for the following conditions and disorders: ADHD, pervasive developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, autism, sensory integration disorders, Asperger's, Down, Hallermann-Streiff, Rett, or Tourette syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, CPTSD, traumatic brain injury, Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome (restless legs), epilepsy, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, bipolar affective disorder (BAD).