Floatation Therapy for Fibromyalgia.
By Karen Crosby
I love to try different alternative therapies for fibro since a natural alternative sometimes is surprisingly good.
Having had good results with other natural therapies like acupuncture, acupressure and many other options, I though I would take a look this month at floatation therapy as used for fibro.
Floatation Therapy.
This therapy, also known as floating, sensorial deprivation chamber, or reduced environmental stimuli therapy (REST), is where you float in a pod of Epsom Salt water. You are completely shut off from outside stimulation for your sight, from sound and from any interruptions from the outside world.
A man named John C. Lilly, M.D, developed floatation therapy in the 1950’s. It is a water filled tank heated to skin temperature and saturated with Epsom salts so the person can float without effort.
Benefits of Floatation Therapy.
1. Float tanks have been used to reduce anxiety and depression by promoting a deep and calming relaxation.
2. It brings about more restful sleep, and so is beneficial for fibro patients who suffer with poor sleep patterns.
3. Pain relief is one of the chief benefits to floatation therapy, as the peaceful environment helps the body to reduce the levels of cortisol (the main stress chemical) and so allows the release of endorphins, the bodies own natural pain controller by activating our opiate receptors and naturally lowering pain.
4. Relief of muscle tightness was discovered to be a benefit of floatation therapy, and a small study in 2012 found that pain in the muscles owing to tightness was reduced significantly after just 3 sessions. An additional side effect with this was also that it alleviated low mood because of the pain reducing results, thus promoting more hope and optimism.
5. Magnesium from the Epsom salts can be absorbed through the skin, and fibro patients are deficient in this mineral, which is responsible for over 300 functions of the body. This means supplements are not needed for fibro patients.
6. The withdrawal of the senses by being in the pod or tank means that the body and mind can relax, focus on rest and healing, and reduce stress.
7. This withdrawal of senses brings about a meditative state, where the brain waves slow down from the busy mind of the beta brainwave pattern to a slower alpha pattern which is present just before sleep, and this is when we are very calm, relaxed and at our most creative, but still awake. Remember here you don’t need to be a seasoned meditator like me, it simply relaxes and de-stresses the mind, to let calm and creative thoughts float by! Even deeper and slower are the theta waves that are present in deep meditation and this helps learning, intuition and memory (help stop brain fog?) brought about by withdrawal of senses.
8. Floatation therapy allows blood to flow evenly throughout the body, allowing a rich oxygen supply to the muscles and this also helps promote relaxed and pain-free muscles.
9. Blood pressure is lowered and this is significant since stress and anxiety can raise the blood pressure and potentially cause other health issues.
10. The body can float naturally and without effort, meaning
the person is freed from gravity, promoting deep relaxation.
My thoughts.
I use Epsom salts in my bath when the pain is quite bad, and I find this is really helpful, and also the idea of closing out the world appeals to me because I am a yoga and meditation teacher so freeing the mind for meditation and peace sounds lovely!
There are a lot of centres around the UK and abroad with floatation tanks, and if you look on the inter net, you can find your nearest centre if you would like to give it a try.
I do not know the costs involved, it would depend where you go, and I haven’t tried it yet simply because my nearest centre is in Edinburgh which is 105 miles away from me!
However, in the interest of research, if I ever get the chance to try it, I will let you all know my results.