Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions in the world. It affects around 2 million people in the UK and to this day, people are still looking for fibromyalgia treatments to help them relieve chronic pain.
Many have tried anti-depressants or pain killers in order to soothe the pain, others have tried a simple option like a weighted blanket.
Many researchers believe that the onset of Fibromyalgia symptoms is related to a “trigger” event. Such events could range from physical or emotional traumas that cause significant psychological stress to physical illnesses, surgeries, or infections.³
It is generally believed that Fibromyalgia is caused by a change of the central nervous system.²
There are a few common factors that appear to be influential:
If this is the first time you’ve heard of weighted blankets, they’re basically blankets that are weighed down by glass or plastic beads sewn into tiny pockets throughout. Back in the day weighted blankets were used by therapists to help their patients who may have had anxiety, or sensory issues. Over time, however, weighted blankets have become more popular in the mainstream and people have been using them to reduce their insomnia and stress and more recently as a treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms.
Weighted blankets are designed to provide firm, deep pressure stimulation otherwise known as Deep Touch Pressure Therapy. Essentially, it’s the same kind of feeling you’d get from a massage, releasing hormones and chemicals¹ in the body that helps to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
1) Improve Mood
Weighted blankets are designed to give you a boost in the happy hormone. Naturally, this hormone can produce when you exercise or move around, but obviously with the kind of pain that comes from having fibromyalgia, forcing yourself to go on a run just might not be possible. Alas, this is where the weighted blanket comes in.
2) Hugs Can Help
Hugs just feel good, and your body automatically releases the happy hormone when it’s hugged, making you feel relaxed and more at ease. Weighted blankets are designed to mimic a hug.
3) Reduce Tiredness and Fatigue
As you must know, one of the most annoying symptoms of fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue. A weighted blanket will help with this problem. It helps you fall asleep faster and helps you have more quality sleep. This is because the weighted blanket helps to significantly reduce the stress hormone during the night, making it easier for you to improve your sleep and reduce your pain.
4) Ease Anxiety and Stress
Many who suffer from fibromyalgia experience depression, stress, and anxiety everyday. And the more one experiences those symptoms throughout the day, the harder it’ll be to overcome those feelings at night.
A weighted blanket is a tool for breaking symptoms of anxiety and stress. Its ability to mimic a hug will help calm and relax you during sleep.
5) Help Manage Pain
Obviously this is the worst part of having fibromyalgia. While in pain, you’re unable to focus and function. Understandably, many will reach for pain killers, but medications may have side effects. Plus, they run out. In comparison, a weighted blanket is a one-time-purchase that helps reduce pain with deep pressure stimulation. As such, the weighted blanket is a great possibility for fibromyalgia treatment.
6) Reduce Depression Symptoms
Those suffering from fibromyalgia have low serotonin (happy hormone). That hormone is very important because it’s a natural mood stabilizer.
As such, your new best friend—the weighted blanket—is a producer of that happy hormone.
Not all weighted blankets are made equal. And when you look to purchase one you will find that they come in many different weights ranging from 5 to 25. According to Psychology Today, the perfect weight is around 5kg.
“In our research, we determined that 12 pounds (5kg) of evenly distributed weighted was the ideal weight for sleep and relaxation—without excessive pressure…” Michael J. Breus Ph.D.
Of course the fabric is important too—especially if you have sensory issues. And finding one that is machine washable doesn’t hurt either.
Keeping all those factors in mind, here are our top 5 weighted blankets for those suffering from fibromyalgia.
SleepBo’s #1 Choice£117 £49
The kuddly weighted blanket is a one-of-a-kind blanket designed and sold by a UK-based company.
Many reviews rave about how much the kuddly blanket has improved their lives.
You won’t go wrong choosing a kuddly blanket.
One happy customer stated: “Bought one for my partner who has restless legs and fibromyalgia – she slept better than she has in years with it last night… have had to buy another one for the child who can get anxious… so defo a big thumbs up from us here!”
Using its deep touch technology that calms the nervous system, the Koala blanket helps stabilize your stress levels, increases your relaxation and improves your sleep. Made from bamboo and cotton, the Koala blanket is eco-friendly, durable, and competitively priced. With its two-sided cover, you can use the silk eco bamboo side on those warmer nights, or the ultra-soft mink side on cooler days.
One customer stated: “…I’ve been using my blanket for nearly a week now and it has totally transformed my sleep. For months now, I have had great difficulty sleeping, a new and unusual experience for me. I have tried natural and medical remedies to no avail. But now, I am sleeping so much better…”
The YNM is our third choice for its moisture-wicking management and bamboo viscose properties, providing all year round comfort. Plus, there are two extra layers of durable and breathable fabrics ensuring there are no leaks of beads, or breaks in the blanket. It also allows you to pick the weight you want and comes in a variety of colours. That said, it’s on the pricier side.
One happy customer said: “I suffered from insomnia for most of my life and it has affected work, not being able to get up in the morning, every morning, and now always having a horrible day is completely fixed. I am off to sleep within minutes of getting into bed with this blanket. It is very heavy to hold and rather cumbersome to put on my bed, but stays in place once on. Would highly recommend purchasing!”
ZZZNEST uses 7 layers of fabric and small diamond tight stitching to prevent movement of the beads in the blanket, allowing for the most comfortable and sound sleep. Targeting disorders like RLS and anxiety, ZZZNEST promotes calmness and restfulness, allowing you to sleep much more soundly. Its beautiful grey colour is bound to compliment any room.
A customer states that: “Fantastic product … Comfortable and soft feel … Weighted but not heavy … Almost feels like you’re being held and gives a sense of comfort to anxiety sufferers like myself. It helps relax the body, I would recommend this to anybody, Fast efficient delivery … Thank you very much!!!”
This 15lbs weighted blanket triggers hormones that calm and soothe you, helping you achieve a deeper sleep. Its unique seven-layer process ensures maximum softness without feeling the filling on the inside. Bedsure is composed of breathable fabric and filled with comfortable glass beads. This weighted blanket will surely help you sleep better and feel much calmer.
A Happy Customer Says: “This blanket is brilliant! At first use, it is very heavy and trying to lift it up with your leg whilst in bed is very hard work if you are the kind that likes to ‘stick a leg out’ but after a few days, you get used to the weight. I will say, I sleep much sounder since I purchased this and getting to sleep no longer takes hours just minutes. If you have sleeping problems then this is marvellous!”
“My Kuddly blanket arrives yesterday, beautifully packed with pretty bow. It's heavy and is taking a while to get use to as a fibromyalgia sufferer but although I slept for a shorter time last night I slept better according to my Fitbit app!!!”
“I love my Kuddly so much! Great for pain and insomnia 💙.”
“I suffer from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome & find when I'm really sore it just helps ease pain as well, definitely worth this fantastic price”