Float Therapy is a Holistic Way to Relieve Pain
Floating in a reduced-sensory, zero-gravity environment can temporarily relieve pain, while repeatedly floating promotes long-term pain relief.
Living pain-free is truly a blessing, and we deeply feel for those who experience pain regularly.
Many things lead to pain, from one-time injuries to chronic conditions. If you are in pain, or feel a familiar type of pain starting to flare up, we hope you act quickly to treat and prevent it from spreading.
The unfortunate part about being in pain is that it often increases quickly. And, it is stressful to be in pain, which leads to increased inflammation throughout the body and may take a toll on your mental health.
Making an effort to treat and prevent the onset of pain doesn’t have to be stressful or come with negative side effects.
Unwind the mind and body in a flotation tank
Float tanks are light and soundproof, containing 10-12 inches of skin-temperature, Epsom-infused saltwater.
There is so much salt, that your body will float without effort.
Here’s how flotation therapy can holistically help to relieve pain in a single session. Most of the studies we reference are based on weekly floatation therapy sessions for 6-8 weeks.
Ease muscle tension
Pain can cause muscles to tighten, often resulting in increased pain levels. Let go of the tension in flotation therapy’s unique, zero-gravity environment, where you can lay back and truly relax every muscle and joint.
With a higher salt concentration than The Dead Sea, the buoyant saltwater solution inside flotation tanks will support your body as if floating through space.
When you no longer need to maintain your posture, you can experience immediate relief from gravity, saying goodbye to any tension your body holds onto.
Relieve joint pressure in zero-gravity
40% of people in the U.S. will experience sciatic nerve pain at some point in their lives, which can be severe and debilitating. Treatment for sciatic pain often involves swimming, because it takes pressure off the joints.
While you take a break from holding yourself upright, your muscles, joints, and nerves have more opportunities to heal naturally.
Reduce Inflammation
The Epsom salt-infused water inside flotation tanks is warmed to skin temperature (93-94 degrees), which increases blood flow. By increasing blood flow, more oxygen is introduced to the bloodstream, working to reduce inflammation.
Get the full “Hope Floats Experience” by relaxing in the sauna for 30 minutes before floating for an hour.
Infrared saunas warm your body from the inside out, bringing your body to a gentle sweat, and detoxifying your muscles and joints while lowering levels of inflammation.
Saunas stimulate the production of ATP (the energy pockets in your cells) to introduce more oxygen into your bloodstream. Oxygen-rich blood helps to reduce swelling and inflammation in your joints.
The Cold Plunge Reduces Inflammation, too
Athletes and cold water swimmers alike reap tremendous anti-inflammatory benefits from cold water immersion and you can, too.
Dip into our 45-degree cold plunge to reduce swelling, awaken your senses, and improve energy levels.
Lower Lactic Acid
Epsom salt baths are widely known to ease muscle soreness. Flotation tanks have 1,000 pounds of medical-grade Epsom salt infused in 10-12 inches of water, making floating the ultimate Epsom salt bath.
Epsom salt has many natural healing properties, from easing muscle soreness to healing acne and skin irritations.
Reduce stress
We understand that when your body is in pain, the discomfort adds stress to your daily life. Stress can increase inflammation throughout the body, reduce sleep quality, and have many negative side effects if it goes unmanaged.
Simply immersing yourself in the dark, quiet flotation tank can give your mind a break from constantly processing stimulation.
Floating can reduce cortisol and stress levels as much as a week-long vacation. Floating has also been shown to relieve stress-related muscle pain by lowering blood pressure, reducing symptoms of anxiety, burnout, and depression, and lightening mood levels.
With the water being the same temperature as your skin, and in the dark, quiet, zero-gravity environment, it is normal to lose track of where your body boundaries end and the water begins. This feeling from flotation therapy, known as body dissolution, has been scientifically proven to lower levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, and stress.
Promote a deeper sleep
Sleeping is one of the most underrated modes of holistic healing. When we sleep, our bodies actively work to repair themselves. Deep, high-quality sleep is crucial, especially while you nurse an injury.
The light and sound-proof flotation tank can ease the mind. Even those without meditation experience can find themselves in a meditative state while they float.
It is safe and okay to fall asleep while you float, because your head will be supported by the saltwater, keeping your face above water.
The brain produces theta waves right before falling asleep and right after you wake up. It is normal for the brain to produce theta waves while you float. Many people report feeling like they are about to fall asleep while floating. By floating regularly, you may find it easier to fall asleep at bedtime.
Floating to Relieve High-Intensity Pain
Regardless of the intensity of the pain, floating has been proven time and time again to reduce all kinds of pain. In a systematic review of float therapy, 10 out of 10 studies showed that floatation rest effectively reduced pain.
As an added benefit of floating, one study found that REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) was most effective at relieving high-intensity pain.
Try Fascial Stretch Therapy to relieve muscle, joint, and nerve pain
Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) is an assisted form of stretching incorporated with massage.
Our FST specialist will develop a custom healing plan for you, taking your muscles to pain-free ranges to improve flexibility and mobility, while reducing pain.