Protac is a Danish manufacturer of sensory stimulation products. We serve private people, municipalities, regions and state institutions. In Denmark we sell our products directly. Outside Denmark we are represented in 20 countries through a number of local distributors.
Our product range covers blankets, vests, cushions, chairs & poufs, sleeping bag, mattrasses, knee blankets and footstools - all designed as aids to people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
The name and brand Protac refers to the two senses, which the products work with. They are the muscle-joint sense (proprioceptive sense) and the sense of touch (tactile sense).
A good idea turns into a business concept and a well-run company
Protac A/S was founded by Occupational Therapist Pia Christiansen and her colleague back in 1994. In 1990 Pia continued her education, training sensory integration at the University of California and at the A. Jean Ayres Clinic in Los Angeles. Returning to work in Denmark, the Psyciatric Hospital Risskov in Aarhus, she wanted to use the theory and experiences from the clinical work with children suffering from motor restlessness. A restlessness which Pia also observed with the patients in the Psychiatric Hospital.
In USA the treatment of children was based on play and included the ball pits, known from theme parks. Playing in ball pits stimulates the senses, but it was not possible to get psychiatric patients to jump into a ball pit. Instead, Pia and her colleague designed a blanket containing plastic balls. The deep touch pressures of the balls in the blanket stimulated the senses and provided a calm sense of security for the user. The blanket was well received by the patients, who experienced an improved and calm body awareness and a deep and good sleep. What was to be the Protac Ball Blanket® was quickly in demand by patients leaving the hospital and Protac as a company was a reality, and the rumors of the blanket with balls in quickly spread.
Since then, Pia has cooperated with therapists, employees and users to develop a range of unique products with balls, based on the theory of sensory integration. The purpose is to design high quality aids, serving the need of people with motor restlessness and sensory impairments. The aids are distinguished by their user-friendly and modern design.
Today Protac products are sold through a network of distributors in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In 2022, Pia sold the majority of Protac to Natascha Sandberg Hytting, a former board member of Protac. In this way, Protac continues to focus on development, scientific documentation of the effect and on maintaining the Protac values while also continuing to further develop Protac. Pia still owns part of Protac and continues as a board member in Protac.
Patent:
Protac Ball Blanket® Calm is registered as a Utility Model and Patented.
Protac Ball Blanket® Flexible is registered as a Utility Model and Patented.
Protac SenSit® and Protac SenSit® Straight are Patented.
Protac SenSack® is Patent Pending.
