Floatation therapy
FLOAT YOUR WAY INTO AN EFFORTLESS FORM OF ENHANCED RECOVERY. REMOVE ALL SENSORY STIMULUS AND RELAX AND RECOVER.
what is FLOATATION THERAPY?
Floatation Therapy at The Body Lab is a unique relaxation method and recovery therapy that places you in a floatation tank - otherwise known as a sensory deprivation tank - filled with skin-temperature water and a high concentration of magnesium-rich Epsom salts. This composition creates effortless floating, giving the sensation of weightlessness.
This experience transcends typical relaxation methods, allowing you to indeed lead into deep mental and physical relaxation. Removing the constant physical strain against gravity allows our muscles and joints to relax completely, often leading to numerous cognitive and physical benefits. This environment also facilitates a meditative state, providing much-needed time to search internally and clear any mind blocks you may have.
How is FLOATATION THERAPY different at the body lab?
Floatation Therapy is incorporated into our many recovery therapy options for members. With its own designated facility, members can embrace the sensory deprivation that Floatation Therapy has to offer as part of their recovery wellness journey. Our professional team helps guide them on things to consider and correct their use and answers any questions about this recovery therapy and what to do afterwards.
This information can be invaluable as it helps set expectations before a session and can help calm the mind for a relaxing, meditative session, allowing them to get the most benefits.
What are the benefits of FLOATATION THERAPY?
Floatation Therapy has a range of benefits, from physiological to psychological. When experiencing the weightlessness of the pod, we allow our body and mind time to reset, creating a cascade of positive effects.
Lower stress
Epsom salt is a compound containing high-grade magnesium sulfate. This magnesium inhibits the Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), the hormone that boosts the production of cortisol. Similarly, the mental relaxation and brain restorative effects of Floatation Therapy can reduce stress levels through the feeling of euphoria, pain reduction, headache, muscle pain recovery, and more.
Brain Restoration
On average, the human brain processes the equivalent of 11 million bits of information per second - a high burden on the brain. Similarly, the tail of the brain connects with our spinal cord, which spends every moment of the day calibrating our body to deal with gravity. While in the tank, however, this is suspended, a rare pause for our brain. Floatation Therapy gives our brain time to rest, reset and restore our nervous system.
Aiding with mental disorders
Avoiding overbearing stimulants is getting harder and harder in modern life. These overloaded senses can contribute to various anxiety disorders, as too can high levels of stress. Sensory isolation has been shown to decrease stress levels, depression and anxiety symptoms while improving optimism and sleep.
Recovery speed
Removing the senses can profoundly affect how we perceive our body internally. Float has been shown to reduce perceived muscle soreness in athletes and enhance performance readiness after exercise. Similarly, Floatation REST significantly affects blood lactate, with a decrease after a one-hour session. Floating in the tank also promotes vasodilation, a critical process that facilitates blood flow throughout the body.
how floatation therapy enhances training
Floatation Therapy is an excellent example of a recovery therapy where every benefit can have some applicable, powerful impact on training and performance. Through improved cognitive function, athletes and life athletes can calm their minds after or before a big session. The lowered stress has a domino effect on the body, positively impacting all elements of health and well-being. At the same time, a perceived reduction in pain and enhanced performance readiness helps them return to doing what they do best quickly.
Similarly, Floatation Therapy can positively impact sleep quality, allowing individuals to get better sleep, and as we know, sleep is the best recovery option available to all, compoundly affecting their training, performance and cognitive health.
What to expect from a floatation therapy session
A Floatation Therapy session can be intimidating if it's your first time. The idea of complete sensory deprivation can spark questions about its safety and impacts psychologically. Our professionals are on hand to answer all these questions during your session, guiding you on how to get the most out of your float session.
Using the tank is as simple as it sounds. Once you enter, you lie in the water and get comfortable with the feeling of weightlessness as the pod closes and your senses begin to rest. It's recommended to experience your float session nude, as clothing can create a touch sensation, dampening the experience. However, if this is uncomfortable, a swimsuit or trunks work well also.
You may imagine falling asleep in the tank is easy, yet that is rarely the case. In most cases, you may experience a heightened state of relaxation, with some members feeling a state of hypnagogia - a state where you border on sleep. This is perfectly safe; it is very challenging to turn over in the float tank due to the increased density of the water.
Floatation therapy offers a sanctuary from the constant engagement of modern life, providing individuals with essential moments to decompress and restore balance. By immersing themselves in weightlessness and sensory isolation, participants experience enhanced recovery, reduced stress, improved sleep quality, heightened mental focus, effective pain management, and opportunities for visualisation and mindfulness. Incorporating float sessions into a routine enables individuals to navigate the challenges of today's hyper-connected society while prioritising self-care and achieving an overall sense of well-being.
- Levi Kinchant | Elite Personal Trainer
FAQ
Learn more about Floatation Therapy and see answers to some of the more common questions we get asked.
-
Floatation therapy is a recovery and relaxation technique where users float effortlessly in a tank or pod. The water is body-temperature and filled with over half a tonne of Epsom Salts, which create buoyancy, a sensation of weightlessness and complete sensory deprivation.
-
Benefits include stress reduction, pain relief, improved sleep, enhanced creativity, and decreased anxiety and depression.
-
Sessions typically last between 60 - 90 minutes but can vary depending on personal preference and the user's comfortability being sensory deprived.
-
Floatation therapy can be a great way to connect with your partner further. Enquiries should be made about the availability of dual floatation use.
-
Many pregnant women have reported relief from physical discomfort during floatation therapy. However, consulting with a healthcare professional before booking a session is essential.
-
Sensory deprivation can have a profound impact on our mental well-being. This relaxing cut-off from the world can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and enhance overall mental well-being.
-
Athletes can benefit from reduced muscle soreness, faster recovery, and improved performance from flotation therapy. This deep relaxation can help them return to peak performance quicker.
-
Side effects of floatation therapy are rare, and it's essential to understand your own personal psyche before committing to a session. It's advised not to rest in the float tank if you have minor cuts, as the Epsom salts can cause pain and discomfort when coming into contact. Some people may also experience hallucinations or an "out of body" experience as a result of the sensory deprivation.
-
Frequency can vary depending on your personal goals and responses. Some people benefit from weekly sessions, while others enjoy a less frequent schedule. If you strictly use floatation therapy for recovery and performance, talk to your trainer about the best Frequency.
-
At The Body Lab, you can access towels and showering facilities. However, for comfort, you should bring your swimsuit and may wish to carry any personal care items you prefer to use.
-
There is growing research indicating the benefits of floatation therapy for various conditions. See our blog post on floatation therapy for more information and research examples.
Read more about Floatation Therapy
Read more about Floatation Therapy, including research on its benefits, by checking out The Body Lab blog. You can also find information on other recovery therapies to aid your fitness and well-being journey.
Book online
Book your Floatation Therapy session online with our live booking system. Simply, choose the date you require to book to check the availability of the therapy and then complete the steps to confirm the booking. If you have any questions, just get in touch.
Other services at the body lab
Learn more about the other recovery therapies at The Body Lab, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Floatation Therapy and Red Light Therapy. You can also benefit from a range of specialist training, including elite personal training.
Osteopathy
Strengthen your musculoskeletal framework via a non-invasive form of manual medicine.
Massage Therapy
Rejuvenate the body, mind and soul with relaxing and deep tissue massages.
hyperbaric oxygen
Improve your oxygen absorption effortlessly and reduce free radicals from oxidative stress.
CRYOTHERAPY
Experience extreme cold temperatures to reduce pain and inflammation and improve circulation.
Infrared Cabins
Heat up and detoxify your body from the inside out with penetrating infrared rays.
personal training
Gain access to an Elite Personal Trainer that guides you on the best path for your fitness journey.