Do you feel like your stress levels are off the charts? Having difficulty with anxiety or the winter blues? If so, it might be time to try deep pressure stimulation, also commonly referred to as Deep Touch Pressure Stimulation (DTPS). What is DTPS or DPS? Ever notice how it can feel so relaxing to receive a firm hug from someone you love? This is DPS in action! Deep pressure stimulation (DPS) helps to relax the nervous system by providing calming sensory input that releases serotonin and dopamine in response while simultaneously decreasing cortisol.
It’s most commonly associated with use by or for Autistic people, but it can also help with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sensory processing disorders in non-Autistic people alike. It can help with physical pain too. There’s likely even more uses out there as research is still being done.
So what is this technique all about, and how does its application provide relief? Read on to learn more about DPS and how it can benefit your body and mind!
What is deep pressure stimulation, and what are its benefits?
DPS is a form of deep touch pressure that provides calming sensory input to the body. It works by applying consistent, firm but gentle pressure to specific areas of the body, which helps to reduce levels of physical and mental tension.
DPS helps to produce oxytocin, a hormone that has been found to reduce cortisol levels and induce a sense of calmness and relaxation. It also increases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relief hormones, which can help with physical pains like headaches or muscle tension.
Overall, DPS can provide the body and mind with genuine relaxation, reducing stress levels and allowing you to feel more energized and focused. It’s something that can benefit everyone if done in a way that feels right to the individual.
By incorporating DPS into your life, you can experience deep relaxation, stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and improve your overall mental From reducing stress and anxiety to improving PTSD symptoms, deep pressure stimulations may provide non-invasive and low-cost care methods for all kinds of people with a variety of needs. If you or a loved one are in occupational therapy, it’s likely that you will be provided with tools and techniques to use, but you don’t have to be receiving therapy to gain some of the many benefit from deep pressure therapy work. With the growing research on DPS and expanded social awareness, more tools, devices, and techniques are likely to be developed in the near future. We hope this article has given you some information you might not have already known or the curiosity to explore whether or not any deep pressure therapy tools might be beneficial to your overall health and well being.
and physical health.
In Conclusion
Questions and Answers
Why not use person-first language?
Medically, Autism is still referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the US and treated as a developmental disorder, but many Autistic adults feel it’s an outdated term as Autism is not a disorder of the brain, but rather a different way the brain functions. It doesn’t progress like a disease, can’t be cured, and truly can’t be separated from the individual as it impacts every part of who they are. Autistic people have neuro-divergent brains, not sick or broken brains. So by saying “Autistic person” versus “person with Autism” you are showing that Autistic is a characteristic that is inseparable and core to the persons’ being.
How does deep pressure stimulation work?
Deep pressure stimulation provides a firm tactile sensory input that helps to relax the central nervous system to produce a calming effect. Soothing pressure is used to provide proprioceptive input with specific tools or even just body weight. This not only produces feel good neurotransmitters but serves to lower anxiety and stress.
Why do Autistic kids like deep pressure?
Not all Autistic people like deep pressure, but it is most commonly associated with Autism. Often Autistic individuals may have sensory issues due to their neurological differences, causing them to be sensitive to certain tactile sensations.
Deep pressure stimulation helps provide a firm and consistent deep pressure touch stimulation that can help regulate the nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic systems) and provide anxiety alleviation along with endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.
Does a weighted blanket help with sensory issues?
Weighted blankets provide deep pressure input that can help reduce physical tension and anxiety while promoting deep relaxation with its calming effects.
They are often used to help with sensory issues as deep pressure helps to provide sensory input that can improve focus and attention, improve PTSD symptoms, regulate the nervous system, and provide an improvement in overall well being.
Most commonly, weighted blankets are used to help those with difficulty sleeping, as the deep pressure helps to promote deep relaxation and a feeling of safety.
Weighted blankets should always be used with caution and under the guidance of a qualified medical professional, especially with children and non-verbal persons. It is important to regularly check in with your healthcare provider to ensure that the weight of the blanket is appropriate for the individuals’ needs.
Are there therapy dogs trained for deep pressure stimulation?
Yes, there are therapy dogs, or psychiatric service dogs, specifically trained to provide deep pressure therapy by using their body weight and warmth to assist the person they’re working with. The dog is trained to recognize the person’s symptom like an increase in anxiety, a PTSD flashback, and more. They then place their body or head on the persons’ lap, chest, or pressed against their size. This depends on the dogs size and the persons’ preference.