Floatation Therapy for Chronic Pain Management: Understanding Benefits
Updated 09/09/2024
Increased awareness of the physical and mental benefits of Flotation Therapy has led to its consistent rise in popularity. Enabling you to enter a deep state of relaxation, both in mind and body, Flotation Therapy has become a regular part of many people's recovery routines —athletes, corporate workers, artists. In particular, those seeking to manage chronic pain could benefit immensely from introducing Flotation Therapy into their lives.
The Science Behind Floatation Therapy for Pain Relief
Floatation therapy leverages the body’s natural response to magnesium sulphate-rich water, enabling users to float effortlessly in a sensory-deprived environment. The high concentration of Epsom salt not only facilitates floating but also aids in muscle relaxation and reduces inflammation, which is perfect for pain management.
Sensory deprivation also promotes deep relaxation, calming the nervous system and giving it a much-needed break. This reduces the production of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which can exacerbate chronic pain.
Additionally, a relaxed state improves blood circulation and encourages the body’s healing processes, making flotation therapy a highly effective therapy for long-term pain relief. This combination of reduced stress, improved circulation, and muscle relaxation is why flotation therapy is especially effective for chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis.
Benefits of floatation therapy for chronic pain relief
While we’ve touched upon how floatation therapy works and briefly noted some benefits, it’s vital to understand what benefits you will likely receive when attending a session.
Floatation therapy offers a range of physical and psychological benefits that can significantly aid in managing chronic pain. A primary physical benefit is muscle relaxation, which comes from the high magnesium concentration in Epsom salts. These alleviate tension, reduce muscle spasms and improve overall muscular function.
Similarly, floatation therapy enhances circulation by promoting vasodilation, which helps reduce inflammation and swelling. This increased blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues, supporting faster recovery and natural pain relief.
The weightlessness of the tank shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Those with chronic back pain or joint discomfort will feel a surge of relief in the spine and joints, allowing the body to enter a state of deep relaxation.
For more information on float benefits, see our other post:
What is floatation therapy: effects and benefits
The psychological effects of floatation therapy
The mental benefits of Floatation Therapy when managing chronic pain are equally impressive. Aside from the relief granted by reducing physical pain, the therapy promotes endorphin release, the body’s natural painkiller. These feel-good hormones reduce stress and increase pleasure - potentially creating a positive effect on mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. By promoting a more peaceful, relaxed mind and body, the quality and depth of sleep may also be improved, as well as the process of brain restoration.
As the correlations between mental and physical health become increasingly apparent, the importance of alleviating mental suffering when managing chronic pain is more evident than ever. Thus, Floatation Therapy’s ability to provide holistic mind and body recovery positions it as an exceptional tool in chronic pain management.
Floatation therapy for specific conditions
Those seeking pain relief for Fibromyalgia are ideally suited to introduce flotation into their routines. Enhanced rest and relaxation, along with reduced pain receptivity and stress, are potential ways in which symptoms of Fibromyalgia could be alleviated. Even further, the heightened absorption of magnesium, which Floating provides, is particularly essential for those with Fibromyalgia, as the condition frequently causes a significant lack of this vital mineral.
The act of effortlessly floating could also prove to be unbelievably relieving for those with Chronic back pain, an exciting chance to experience respite from the intense pain of constant physical pressure.
Pregnant individuals, also seeking some relief from discomfort, will be glad to hear that - should your doctor approve - Floatation Therapy is still safe and suitable to use.
Long-Term Benefits of Regular Floatation Sessions
While a single floatation therapy session can immediately offer relaxation, the long-term benefits become more apparent with regular use. Consistent sessions can result in a cumulative reduction in chronic pain as the body adapts to improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and heightened relaxation.
Over time, regular floatation therapy can improve sleep quality, enhance muscle recovery, and alleviate joint pain, making it an ideal supplement to a pain management plan for chronic pain, such as back pain.
An often overlooked component of physical pain is mental taxation. Stress and anxiety can frequently worsen physical symptoms, thus improving both pain and the perception of pain. Continuous exposure to magnesium during sessions helps support muscle relaxation, helping to maintain flexibility and reduce tension in the body. Additionally, the enhanced production of endorphins and the calming effect on the nervous system promote long-term pain relief without needing medication.
It is important to note that while floatation therapy can provide these long-lasting benefits, using it alongside a pain management plan recommended by a specialist will help see the most profound effects. Floatation Therapy should not be the sole recovery option for combatting chronic pain.
Safety and considerations in floatation therapy
It is always important to discuss any use of floatation therapy with your doctor before your first session and avoid using it when sick with a stomach bug or any other infectious illness. Not only does this ensure you are physically and mentally capable of Floating, but a conversation with a medical professional can provide reassurance for any reservations you may have, leaving you more prepared to enjoy your Floating experience.
Integrating Floatation Therapy with Other Pain Management Techniques
Floatation therapy offers immense benefits for chronic pain management, but combining it with complementary therapies can further enhance results. This integration allows for a holistic, multifaceted approach that addresses pain from different angles. Below, we’ll explore a few of these integrations.
Osteopathy and Floatation Therapy
If you’re visiting our centre for a float session, ensure you make good use of our London Osteopathy services. Osteopathy manipulates the body’s musculoskeletal system to improve function, reduce pain, and enhance overall health. Floatation therapy complements this by reducing muscle tension, inflammation and stress - making it easier for the osteopath to perform adjustments and manipulations. Regularly using both treatments can improve range of motion, reduce stiffness, and provide long-term relief from chronic musculoskeletal issues.
Learn more about Osteopathy and its benefits in this post: What is Osteopathy?
Massage Therapy and Floatation therapy
widely known for its ability to reduce muscle tension, promote circulation, and alleviate pain, massage therapy is a perfect addition to float. Combining the two creates a powerful pain management duo. Massage therapy can help release muscle knots and tension, followed by a float session, which can help deepen the relaxation and provide additional pain relief through magnesium absorption.
Conversely, using float before a massage session can loosen muscles and make the body more receptive to our London masseuse techniques, resulting in a more effective massage session.
Learn more about Massage Therapy and its benefits in this post: What is Massage Therapy?
Adding Floatation therapy to your routine
So, if you are searching for a non-invasive, natural therapy to aid you in your fight against Chronic Pain, then Floatation Therapy could be precisely what you need. Not only could your body and mind finally be able to enter the profoundly restorative relaxation essential to improving your quality of life, but you also get to take some time to escape from the overwhelming rush and stress of the world.
To begin your exciting journey into Flotation Therapy, call us or book a session online.
Whether you are ready to book an appointment, have more questions, or want to look at the Flotation Device for yourself, we greatly appreciate any opportunity to help those looking to improve their wellness. Delivering personalised care and attention in the heart of Kensington, we are experienced in guiding people from all medical and personal backgrounds through recovery therapies that have the power to improve their quality of life genuinely.
