The OTvest™ Can be Used as an Alternative to Medication, and Improve Proprioceptive Input
“It feels good!” is a common statement we hear from satisfied OTvest™ wearers. When we feel better, we do better! That is what we see with the OTvest™.
The OTvest™ is a denim weighted vest that is non-invasive, discreet, and can be used as an alternative holistic intervention and treatment for a variety of conditions.
When using the OTvest™ denim weighted vest to address problems with inattention, anxiety, restlessness or agitation, medication may still be necessary when recommended by a physician, but often at a lesser dose than would otherwise be needed. When medication is prescribed that doesn’t seem to be completely addressing the distractibility or lack of focus to task, trying the OTvest™ weighted vest as a non-invasive addition to treatment is often a good start before increasing medication levels. Many physicians are recommending the OTvest™ to patients as a natural treatment to be used in addition to medications, and appreciate the holistic treatment option.
Deep pressure touch is registered in the limbic system, hippocampus, and reticular activating system of the brain, and may stimulate the production of neurotransmitters to modulate arousal levels, similar to the effects of some medications. The use of the OTvest™ applies this deep pressure touch therapy in a non-invasive, easily applied, discreet manner, and can, therefore, be used to help naturally treat ADHD, help naturally treat anxiety, or to help naturally treat other conditions related to arousal or stimulation levels. For example, the OTvest™ weighted vest can be used prior to bedtime for those with insomnia, or who have trouble falling asleep. The deep pressure applied by the OTvest™ introduces a calming, soothing effect that promotes better sleep. Because of this, the OTvest™ can be used to help naturally treat insomnia. Some OTvest™ wearers find that they no longer need their previously prescribed medication for insomnia when they wear the OTvest™ before going to bed.
Wearing a weighted vest like the OTvest™ can also be complemented by movement activities, which increase attention-to-task and decrease restlessness, anxiety, and agitation. Activities such as recess, jumping on a mini trampoline, wall or chair push-ups, “heavy work” like carrying groceries or playing games with weighted balls, rocking chairs, or movement “wiggle” cushions on a chair, provide movement opportunity so that inattention, anxiety, restlessness, and agitation can be reduced. The OTvest™ does not stop an individual from moving – as activity is fundamental to the nervous system – but helps provide improved attention-to-task by producing a calming, settling effect through the use of effectively placed weights for deep pressure touch therapy. The proprioceptive input provided by the OTvest™ denim weighted vest is soothing, as is the proprioceptive input gained through activities such as “heavy work” (carrying heavy items, pushing, lifting, jumping, swinging, jumping on mini trampolines, wall or chair push-ups) which should be a part of an intervention program in addition to use of the OTvest™.
Although prescribed medication may be necessary in many instances, wearing a weighted vest such as the OTvest™, as well as getting plenty of movement activities in, can reduce the need for medical intervention. The OTvest™ can be used as a holistic treatment for a variety of conditions, reducing the need for higher doses of medications, and allowing the wearer to live more comfortably - naturally!
Click here to order the OTvest™ to experience how wearing the weighted vest helps one feel better, and do better!
Look for the yellow "OTvest™" label on the chest pocket to make sure you are getting the genuine OTvest™. Others may look like the OTvest™ from the outside, but the weight placement is important. Only the OTvest™ has the patented weighted insert with weight lying directly upon the body. Where the weight is placed makes the difference!
VandenBerg, N. (2001). The use of weighted vests to increase on-task behavior in children with attention difficulties, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Vol. 55, 621-628. doi:10.5014/ajot.55.6.621