What is Deep Pressure Touch? Why do we love a hug?
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What is deep pressure touch (DPT)?
Deep pressure is the deep, touch pressure that results from stimulation of our touch receptors deep under our skin. When you touch the skin, the receptors send the information to the brain and or areas of the brain that process touch of a related or given body part. Deep pressure touch (DPT) as a therapeutic tool is considered to be firm, tactile sensory input. But why do we love DPT so much more than light touch?
Have you ever been tickled?
Do you like it? We laugh. But honestly, most people don’t like tickling. Tickling travels along the same spinal nerve pathways as pain. That’s why we find tickling to be uncomfortable. On the other hand, DPT is calming; when provided correctly.
DPT activates the calming nervous system.
Deep pressure stimulation triggers a calming reflex in the body by activating the touch sensory system. It has been shown to reduce sympathetic activation, and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Basically, DPT activates the calming nervous system, where tickling activates the excitatory nervous system.
The idea of deep pressure touch became popularized by Temple Grandin. She created a “hug machine” which was originally used to help calm animals.
What are some ways you can get DPT?
- Hugging
- Applying pressure to the body, using a pillow, therapy, ball, or their hands.
- A weighted blanket or lap buddy.
- A hug nest-this is basically a box with a bunch of pillows in it. Your child can fit inside and give themselves a nice squish.
- Lycra. Lycra is basically bathing suit material and you can find it easily on the web. You can create a little squish tube and your child can snuggle up inside with you or by themselves.
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- The effects of deep pressure touch on anxiety. K E Krauss 1 Am J Occup Ther. 1987 Jun;41(6):366-73. doi: 10.5014/ajot.41.6.366.
- Physiologic and behavioral effects of papoose board on anxiety in dental patients with special needs.Chen HY, Yang H, Chi HJ, Chen HM.J Formos Med Assoc. 2014 Feb;113(2):94-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2012.04.006. Epub 2012 Aug 20.PMID: 24530242
- Touch massage: a pilot study of a complex intervention.Lindgren L, Lehtipalo S, Winsö O, Karlsson M, Wiklund U, Brulin C.Nurs Crit Care. 2013 Nov;18(6):269-77. doi: 10.1111/nicc.12017. Epub 2013 May 1.PMID: 24165068 Clinical Trial.
- Adjunctive deep touch pressure for comorbid anxiety in bipolar disorder: mediated by control of sensory input?Sylvia LG, Shesler LW, Peckham AD, Grandin T, Kahn DA.J Psychiatr Pract. 2014 Jan;20(1):71-7. doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000442942.01479.ce.PMID: 24419314
- The use of therapeutic massage as a nursing intervention to modify anxiety and the perception of cancer pain. Ferrell-Torry AT, Glick OJ.Cancer Nurs. 1993 Apr;16(2):93-101.PMID: 8477405 Review.
There are many research articles on the web about the benefits of DPT in treatment of people with mental health conditions and medical conditions. Here’s are some great resources:
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Therapeeps provides pediatric occupational therapy for families in Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
