A Sensory Life!
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    • Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals
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  • Helpful Handouts!
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    • Sensory Definitions >
      • Sensory Modulation
      • Sensory Anchors
      • Sensory Overload
      • Fight or Flight
      • Self-Regulation
      • The Power Sensations...Your Sensory Foundation
    • Sensory Meltdowns
    • The Gifted and Sensory Connection
    • The Effects of Spinning
    • The Power of Smell
    • The Bathroom and Potty Training Blues
    • To Brush or Not to Brush
    • Feeding Challenges
    • Sensory Side Effects
    • Sleep Challenges
    • Social & Emotional Factors
    • The Sensory and Autism Link
    • Eye Contact is WAY Overrated
    • Sensory Prepared for School! >
      • Back to School Sensory Tools
    • Family and Social Gatherings
    • S.E.N.S.E.
  • Living a Sensory Life!
    • Sensory in the Home >
      • How to Install a Swing at Home
    • The Easy Sensory Diet
    • Sensory Tips Planning Guide
    • Oral Sensory Needs and Preferences >
      • Oral Sensory Tools and Ideas
      • Bubble Mountain
    • Joint Traction and Compression
    • Sensory Retreats
    • The Power of Movement (Vestibular Input)
    • The Incredible Benefits of Jumping and Bouncing
    • Tools for Defensiveness
    • Fidget Tools and Fine Motor Development
    • Tactile Play and Activities
    • Portable Sensory Tool Bag
    • Tummy Time for Everyone!
    • Sensory Benefits of Crawling
    • Inverting the Head
    • Homework Success!
    • Get Outdoors!
    • Sensory Benefits of Sports
    • Magnesium and Sleep
    • Grounding and Earthing
    • Limiting Screen Time
    • Sensory How-To Videos
    • Sensory on a Budget! >
      • Homemade Cuddle Swing
      • Homemade Resistance Tunnel
      • Hula Hoop Tent
      • Homemade Trapeze
      • Sensory Uses for a Box!
      • Homemade Platform Swing
      • Weighted Blanket Made with Bathmats

Natural Ways to Achieve Joint Traction and Joint Compression

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Joint Traction

Joint traction is a form of proprioception. It occurs when there is tension, pull, or traction placed on a joint. It is very important for developing body awareness and body in space. It also promotes self-regulation and can be very calming, regulating, and organizing for the brain and nervous system.
NATURAL WAYS TO ACHIEVE JOINT TRACTION:
  • Climb or hang from a tree 
  • Hang from a bar at the playground, on a trapeze bar, chin up bar, or railing 
  • Hang from knees hooked over a playground bar or trapeze bar
  • Drape backwards over a large therapy ball, arms over head
  • Hang over the side of the bed
  • Stretching activities or yoga
  • Theraband activities
  • Heavy/hard work activities involving pulling things such as a wagon
  • Carry heavy objects such as a water pail 
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Joint Compression

Joint compression is also a form of proprioception. It is the exact opposite of joint traction. It occurs when there is compression, push, or weight bearing placed on a joint. It is also very important for developing body awareness and body in space, as well as for joint stability and strength. It also promotes self-regulation and can be very calming, regulating, and organizing for the brain and nervous system.
NATURAL WAYS TO ACHIEVE JOINT COMPRESSION:

  • Any weight bearing activity such as jumping, running, hopping, skipping
  • Wheelbarrow walking
  • Yoga poses
  • Theraband activities
  • Trampoline, BOSU ball, or hippity hop ball
  • Hand stands or cartwheels
  • Pogo stick
  • Bike riding
  • Heavy/hard work activities involving pushing such as a shopping cart or heavy box
  • Crab walking
  • Climbing activities such as at the playground (climb slides)
  • Climbing hills
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Head/Neck Compression

A head/neck compression is also a form of joint compression which is achieved through downward pressure to the top of the head, compressing the vertebrae of the spine in the neck area. This can be very regulating and calming for the nervous system. Not only is the compression great for the nervous system, but it also quite often involves inverting the head, which is that much more bang for your sensory buck!
NATURAL WAYS TO ACHIEVE HEAD/NECK COMPRESSION:
  • Head stands or other postures where head on compressed on the floor
  • Drape over a large therapy ball with head on the floor (be sure to stabilize the ball for the child)
  • Crawling position, push head firmly in to a soft object such as a beanbag or pillow cave
  • Have the child stand in a body sock with the sock pulled over the head

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SENSORY awareness HANDOUts to print and share!
  • Home
    • Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals
    • Understanding Your BABY's Sensory Signals
  • Helpful Handouts!
  • Sensory Topics!
    • Beginning the Sensory Journey
    • Sensory Definitions >
      • Sensory Modulation
      • Sensory Anchors
      • Sensory Overload
      • Fight or Flight
      • Self-Regulation
      • The Power Sensations...Your Sensory Foundation
    • Sensory Meltdowns
    • The Gifted and Sensory Connection
    • The Effects of Spinning
    • The Power of Smell
    • The Bathroom and Potty Training Blues
    • To Brush or Not to Brush
    • Feeding Challenges
    • Sensory Side Effects
    • Sleep Challenges
    • Social & Emotional Factors
    • The Sensory and Autism Link
    • Eye Contact is WAY Overrated
    • Sensory Prepared for School! >
      • Back to School Sensory Tools
    • Family and Social Gatherings
    • S.E.N.S.E.
  • Living a Sensory Life!
    • Sensory in the Home >
      • How to Install a Swing at Home
    • The Easy Sensory Diet
    • Sensory Tips Planning Guide
    • Oral Sensory Needs and Preferences >
      • Oral Sensory Tools and Ideas
      • Bubble Mountain
    • Joint Traction and Compression
    • Sensory Retreats
    • The Power of Movement (Vestibular Input)
    • The Incredible Benefits of Jumping and Bouncing
    • Tools for Defensiveness
    • Fidget Tools and Fine Motor Development
    • Tactile Play and Activities
    • Portable Sensory Tool Bag
    • Tummy Time for Everyone!
    • Sensory Benefits of Crawling
    • Inverting the Head
    • Homework Success!
    • Get Outdoors!
    • Sensory Benefits of Sports
    • Magnesium and Sleep
    • Grounding and Earthing
    • Limiting Screen Time
    • Sensory How-To Videos
    • Sensory on a Budget! >
      • Homemade Cuddle Swing
      • Homemade Resistance Tunnel
      • Hula Hoop Tent
      • Homemade Trapeze
      • Sensory Uses for a Box!
      • Homemade Platform Swing
      • Weighted Blanket Made with Bathmats