Calming Technique: Deep Pressure

Photo: innovativecaremodels.com 

How our bodies feel is directly affected by what our senses pick up from the environment. Some of us are more "tuned in" to our outer and inner environments than others.

The most calming of sensory inputs, which can last in the nervous system for up to a couple of hours, or even longer, dependent on the intensity  is deep pressure input.  Simply defined, deep touch pressure is the type of (tactile) surface pressure on the body in most types of firm touching, holding, hugging, or swaddling. 

(Light touch pressure is a more superficial touch on the skin: tickling, light touching or brushing, or moving just the hairs on the skin. Occupational therapists have observed that a very light touch alerts the nervous system, but deep pressure on skin, muscles and joints is relaxing and calming.)

In the elementary or middle school classroom, deep pressure activities can be highly effective for improving concentration, cooperation and overall receptivity of the material being taught, or for those times when they become worked up, anxious or have meltdowns.(This is one reason that phys-ed and recess programs need to be re-instated or expanded.)

As an Mind-Body Educator, one of my objectives is to show other educators and parents how to incorporate these techniques into everyday routines. There are a variety of ways to satisfy this sensory need:

• Weight bearing yoga postures: (especially, plank, chair, mountain, tree, forward bends, downward dog, warrior III, triangle, half-moon)
• Weighted Lap Blankets
• Frequent Movement Breaks
• Self-Massage
• The 4 B's

This is not only effective for the students with sensory or cognitive challenges, but all children. The one question that is often asked, is "How much pressure do I give?"

Below I have included links to three articles that explain this sensory need a bit more as well as ways to address it and how much pressure to use:




Deep Touch Pressure Helps Kids Concentrate & Be Calm (Life Skills 4 Kids)

Calming Effects of Deep Touch Pressure in Patients with Autistic Disorder, College Students, and Animals  (Temple Grandin, PhD )

Proprioceptive Dysfunction (SensoryProcessingDisorder.com)


Please feel free to share these resources with others. IF you have another good resource, please leave us a link in the comments below.


Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com  




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