Dr. Erik Camac will be exploring popular alternative treatments and letting you know if they are helpful or hurtful. This is the first blog in the Fact or Fiction series.
You know that relaxing, blissed-out feeling you get when you lie on a pool float or lounger? Stress and tension seem to evaporate, and the cares of the world melt away. That’s what often happens to those who get float tank therapy (aka restricted environmental stimulation technique or REST).
With this therapy, you get inside a dark quiet tank filled with heated Epsom salt saturated water. The Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, which has been prescribed for a long time to soothe skin and ease muscle aches. To further foster relaxation, quiet music is played.
Conditions It Can Address
Float therapy may help the following:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Emotional difficulties
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- Sore muscles
- Chronic pain
REST can also reduce aches and swelling and lower cortisol. The therapy has minimal side effects, which are usually irritation or itching of the skin.
What Does the Research Say?
A study, “Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy for Chronic Pain A Randomized Clinical Trial,” was published on May 14, 2021 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The trial concluded that shortly after five sessions with about 99 patients, significant short-term relaxation, a decrease in anxiety, and a reduction in pain, and intensity in the pain area were observed. However, in that study, there were no long-term changes.
According to a 2016 journal entry from BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, there were positive results with float therapy. In this randomized control trial, participants had 12 sessions two times a week for a relatively brief period.
The results: GAD symptomatology was reduced, along with improvements in sleep and emotional regulations. A follow-up was done six months later, and it was found that participants experienced significant changes after just those 12 sessions.
Where to Float?
There are many flotation centers in the area, but we recommend Urban Float in Rehoboth Beach. Urban Float is a membership-based float therapy center and clinic focused on helping members improve their physical and mental health.
Subtract Stress With Our Services
While float therapy can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, our therapies can as well. Besides chiropractic care, we offer massage therapy and acupuncture at First State Health & Wellness. Give our practice a call today to book an appointment.