Why buy from us?


Ethical Junction member

Floatation Therapy

Health Articles | Health Products | Therapies | Floatation

One Hour's Floating Equals 8 Hours Sleep! by Clare Berry

Floating is quite simply the most incredible means of stress relief and relaxation available. Your body and brain will be able to relax like no other treatment. A huge range of physical conditions can be treated by regular floating, such as bad backs, MS, ME, arthritis, insomnia, fibromyalgia, eczema and Sciatica.

The floatation tank contains a dense Epsom salt solution, creating an environment similar to the Dead Sea which enables the individual to float effortlessly on the surface. The water is heated to body temperature so that once settled, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between parts of the body that are in contact with the water, and those that aren't, in effect "fooling" the brain into believing that the person is floating in mid-air.

Unless you are an astronaut, this is the only situation you will encounter where your body is completely free from the harmful forces of gravity...every single muscle in the body is allowed to totally relax. With ear plugs in and, if you wish, the tank's interior lights off, the quietness and the darkness allow the mind to drift into the deepest state of relaxation possible. The buoyancy created by the dense Epsom-salt solution effectively removes the effects of gravity on the body, and brings the individual close to an experience of total weightlessness. A massive amount of brain-power is used every second in order to deal with the huge strain that gravity places on one's body. As the body is now totally supported, there is little for the brain to do and every muscle is allowed to totally relax.

With no commands needing to be sent out, the logical side of the brain is rendered redundant, and its activity slows down until it synchronises with the creative side. This leaves the individual in a dream-like state, akin to the thoughts experienced just before you go to sleep. In this state, the brain releases vast amounts of endorphins.

While the state of relaxation may be deep and profound, the individual's brain stays dreamily alert. To get technical, the brain gradually shifts from its usual "alpha" state to generate theta waves, the state-of-mind that Buddhist monks try to reach through hours of meditation and years of training. You can achieve this in a matter of minutes just by lying down! Best of all, the effects of floatation are cumulative - the more regularly you float, the better it gets.

There is no such thing as the stereotypical float tank user. Customers range from 16 to 80 years old, and come from a wide range of social and professional backgrounds. On the whole, the vast majority of customers use the floatation tank for relaxation and elimination of stress and pain.

Following is a short list of some of the effects, which have been reported by researchers and/or users:

  • promotes total calm & peaceful relaxation
  • eliminates fatigue and jet lag
  • improves sleep
  • alleviates stress (mental and physical)
  • energises, rejuvenates and revitalises
  • stimulates left/right brain synchronisation
  • shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta
  • creates mental clarity, alertness
  • increases creativity, problem solving
  • heightens visualisation
  • deepens meditation
  • expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning
  • enhances hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis
  • increases motivation
  • diminishes depression, anxiety and fear
  • facilitates freedom from habits, phobias and addictions
  • improves athletic performance and helps prevent sports injuries
  • speeds healing process.
  • decreases the production of cortisol, ACTH, lactic acid and adrenaline
  • increases production of endorphins
  • quickens rehabilitation and recovery
  • relieves pain - arthritis, migraines, injuries etc.
  • boosts immune function.
  • improves circulation and distribution of oxygen and nutrients
  • reduces blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption

Whilst in the tank, every single muscle is allowed to rest and recover. While you may think that lying on your bed or sofa would have a similar effect, even in these circumstances gravity is constantly applying vast amounts of stress on various parts of the body. In the tank, gravity is not a factor. As such this total relaxation gives all muscles a much-needed break, and the benefits can be startling. Rate of recovery after physical exercise is improved beyond recognition. What normally takes a long period of time - usually days for recovery from a marathon - the tank compresses into a number of hours. By relieving the stresses of gravity, floating takes the weight off strained bones, joints, and muscles and increases the efficiency of the blood circulating through the body. Recovery time after injury can also be much improved.

Pain Control

Floating causes the body to release endorphins, (the body's own painkiller), in particular the beta-endorphin. Released in times of comfort as well as pain they are far more powerful than many prescription drugs. Not only, sufferers of fibromyalgia can benefit. If you get migraines, back pain, arthritis, skin disorders and many other ailments, you can find particular relief from regular floatation. Floating lowers blood pressure and heartbeat rate, and can minimise the risks of heart attacks and strokes. Migraine sufferers in particular can find solace and relief within the tank.

Floatation is a still relatively new treatment and it is widely believed to be just about relaxation. Floatation can help you in so many ways. We have testimonials from clients who have: Seen back pain disappear; been able to sleep again after 5 years of insomnia; given up smoking; found relief from pain caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, car accidents, swollen ankles and sciatica; come off medication; dealth with stress and depression; had patches of excema clear up and MUCH MORE!

Copyright 2007 Clare Berry, Float SW Ltd , www.floatsw.co.uk