Float Tank

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What is Sensory Deprivation or Float Tanks?

Here at AWC we believe in holistic care and look for ways you can naturally reduce symptoms. Sensory deprivation provides not only a moment in time of complete relaxation but relief from stress and pain. See below for the many researched benefits floating can provide.

A sensory deprivation tank, also called an isolation tank or float tank, and is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy. It is a dark, soundproof tank that is filled about a 18” of water and 1100 lbs of Epsom salts.

The first tank was designed in 1954 by John C. Lilly, an American physician and neuroscientist. He designed the tank to study the origins of consciousness by cutting off all external stimuli.

In the 1970s, commercial float tanks were created and began being studied for possible health benefits.

float tank in boise

Float Tanks have gained in popularity due in part to the scientific evidence. Studies suggest time spent floating in a sensory deprivation tank may have some benefits in healthy people, such as muscle relaxation, better sleep, decrease in pain, and decreased stress and anxiety

Our Sensory deprivation or Float tank is a cabin that is over 9 ft tall and 5×7” wide. We choose a cabin vs a pod to ensure the comfort of our clients. So no matter if you are tall or claustrophobic you will be able to experience the peaceful float tank experience.

Things To Know

The water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and nearly saturated with Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), providing buoyancy so you float more easily.

You enter the tank nude and are cut off from all outside stimulation, including sound, sight, and gravity when the tank’s lid or door is closed. As you float weightless in the silence and darkness, the brain is supposed to enter into a deeply relaxed state.

view inside our float tank

Why do I need to float

The main benefit of using a sensory deprivation tank is to ease mental anxiety and muscle tension. Due to how buoyant the Epsom salt and water solution is, you can fully relax all of your muscles when floating. This is similar to experiencing zero gravity.

How many times a week do I float

For optimal results we suggest 1-3 times a week depending on your pain and anxiety. The more often you float the faster you will be able to achieve calmness and resolve muscle and joint pain.

Are float tanks sanitary?

The filtration system`s custom X-100 filter is able to filter particles from the water to 1 micron in size which is FDA compliant for drinking water (Class 1 Filtration). The pump includes a germicidal UV light (UV-C) and ozone reaction which result in the production of hydroxyl radicals. This reaction is known as the Advanced Oxidation Process, or AOP. Hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are the most powerful oxidation agents available, quickly destroying bacteria, viruses, pathogens and other contaminants that occur in water. Hydroxyl radicals also destroy chlorine and bromine resistant microorganisms, such as Cryptosporidium Parvum, Giardia and E.Coli. The filtration system engages for 15 minutes in between each session to ensure your float session is completely sanitized.

Skin Health

The Epsom salt used in float tanks helps to hydrate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. Detoxification – Floating in a float tank can help eliminate toxins from the body, resulting in clearer, healthier-looking skin.

Here are some of the benefits:

Improves the relaxation response

The tank suppresses the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system which when active produces our fight or flight response. And it then activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for relaxation, healing, replenishment, etc. Some physical symptoms of the relaxation response are decreased muscle tension, decreased blood pressure, decreased stress hormones, and increased endorphins.

Heightened senses

Research indicates increased visual acuity, improved tactile perception, improved auditory sensitivity, and increased taste sensitivities after floating

Pain management

Arthritis, back pain, neck pain, tendinitis, bursitis, inflammation, and psychosomatic pain relief have all been documented via tank use.

Increased immune function

Immune function is enhanced by suppressing stress hormones which not only weaken the immune system but also suppress the digestion and reproductive systems, affect regeneration processes, and decrease insulin sensitivity

Enhanced healing/Rejuvenation/Recovery

Floating increases circulation to extremities, promotes greater elimination of metabolic by products, decreases the forces of gravity to help promote greater muscular relaxation, and it can prevent adrenal fatigue.

Musculoskeletal awareness

Floating decreases chronic muscle tension and creates greater awareness of less noticeable areas of muscle tension and imbalances.

Magnesium absorption

The extremely high concentration of Epsom salts are absorbed through skin and can actually supplement your diet for a mineral that has been shown to be deficient in the average populations diet. Mg can prevent cardiovascular disease, regulate high blood pressure, prevent osteoporosis, relieve menopause symptoms, provide PMS relief, create healthier bones and teeth, and is involved with detoxification.

Increased stress resistance

Regular floating can alter the set-points in the endocrine homeostatic mechanism which can cause adjustments such as a lower adrenal activation threshold. This means that we become more resistant to the stimuli of chronic stressors bombarding us in modern urban settings and modern lifestyles and literally we have a physiological higher threshold. The modern urban life-style wont affect our stress response as much.

Meditation

Meditation has a plethora of researched benefits and floating is a unique and phenomenal tool to cultivate mental stillness. It often generates a sensation of being intensely awake yet extremely relaxed; presence. It can induce theta-state brainwaves and allows for one to remain conscious in this frequency instead of falling asleep. Floating may induce an altered state of consciousness.

Chronic stress or relief

The tanks environment eliminates as much external stimuli as possible. It lets your nervous system have a break. Having this experience can be very refreshing, nourishing and healthy for our bodies and minds. Humans are well adapted for acute stress, however, for chronic stressors such as noise and air pollution; business, social, and family pressures; war; unemployment; street crime fear; general antagonism between the sexes; humans are not well adapted and stress has been cited to be a cause of several forms of disease.

Mental Reset

The mental “reset” patterns exist throughout our lives. Going throughout our daily routines we get “numb” to so much around us, we become automatic with so many of our thoughts, our actions, our environments. The “resetting” experience provided by the tank can shift us out of this automated existence and bring us into greater awareness of the things we are often over-looking, less aware of or insensitive to, and not appreciating.

Imrpoves awareness

Floating is a great way to bring greater awareness to various patterns of behavior. Floating has shown to have beneficial effects such as decreased anxiety and depression; increased calmness or sense of well-being; it has shown fantastic results towards anti-smoking assistance as well as positive effects.

Brain synchronization

After settling into the floating experience research has shown greater hemisphere synchronization (promoting greater communication between the right (creative-side) and left (analytical-side) lobes; the majority of people are left-dominated. Also, people experience increased vertical communication between the primitive reptilian brain, the limbic middle or mammalian brain and the conscious neocortex. These synchronizing reactions can cause elevated states of creativity, greater non-linear connections, and deeper realizations.

Introspection

With literally zero outward distractions your attention is easily redirected inward. Habitual thought-pattern recognition and analysis can be clearly discovered, monitored, and addressed. Various forms of mental programming/reprogramming become very powerful tools to re-evaluate and change your thoughts with clarity and repetition.

Visualization

The combination of being extremely relaxed while intensely awake allows techniques of visualization to become very powerful. From athletes preparing for competition to public speakers rehearsing a presentation, the tank can induce the calm needed to perform at ones best. Mental rehearsal research has shown it to be just as practical as physical rehearsal.

Super – learning

With the brain being held in a theta state wave-length the mind becomes hyper-suggestible. With less distractions and greater resources at its disposal the mind is able to absorb new material very deeply with research showing improved performance in memory and recall activities. It is great to use in conjunction with exam.

Pyschoneuroimmunology (PNI)

This is a multidisciplinary approach to how well our immune system functions based on our state of mind. It correlates having a positive healthy state of mind with a well-functioning immune system. Some research has even shown how focusing on an injury of diseased area of the body with positive feelings of a healing intention has improved recovery rates from various ailments.

Endorphins

Floating and the relaxation response it induces flood the body with endorphins. These neurotransmitters are responsible for relieving us from pain, enhancing our mood (decreasing feelings of depression to potentially generating feelings of euphoria), they can suppress our appetite, and decrease anxiety leaving us in a calm and clear state of being.

Poor sleep/Insomnia
  • About 40 minutes into your float your brain stops producing its normal Alpha waves and starts churning out Theta waves. These are responsible for that ‘between-waking-and-sleeping’ state, and you make them naturally every night before you conk out. While it only lasts for a few sparse moments in your bed, you can achieve a prolonged Theta state in the tank.
  • 60 minutes in the tank can feel like 6 hours of sleep. It is extremely therapeutic, refreshing and rejuvenating. So if you pulled an all-nighter, suffer from insomnia or have a baby who never lets you sleep the night through, floating can help make up for any lack of sleep you may experiencing.
  • Without gravity pushing you down all the time, your spine lengthens an inch, chronic pain is relieved, and your muscles get to fully rest. Unlike lying on a mattress, lying in water allows blood to flow freely all throughout your body. There’s no need to readjust your position to get comfortable.

Research of The Benefits

There are several psychological and medical benefits of a sensory deprivation tanks on conditions such as anxiety disorders, stress, and chronic pain.

Does floating treat anxiety?

Floating has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety. A 2018 study showed that a single one-hour session in a sensory deprivation tank was capable of a significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in mood in the 50 participants with stress and anxiety-related disorders.

A 2016 study of 46 people who self-reported generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) found that it reduced GAD symptoms, such as depression, sleep difficulties, irritability, and fatigue.

Can floating relieve pain?

The effect of sensory deprivation tank therapy on chronic pain has been confirmed by several studies. It is shown to be effective in treating tension headaches, muscle tension, and pain.

A small study of seven participants found it effective in treating whiplash-associated disorders, such as neck pain and stiffness and reduced range of motion. It has also been shown to reduce stress-related pain.

float tank at Alpine Wellness

Can floating improve cardiovascular health?

Float therapy may improve your cardiovascular health by inducing deep relaxation that reduces stress levels and improves sleep, according to research. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation have been linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Will floating increase mood?

There are many claims about floating causing feelings of overwhelming happiness and euphoria. People have reported experiencing mild euphoria, increased well-being, and feeling more optimistic following therapy using a float tank.

Others have reported spiritual experiences, deep inner peace, sudden spiritual insight, and feeling as if they were born anew.

Cost to Float:

  • $35 per session
  • $150 per month – Unlimited Sessions

Benefits of Floatation

What to Expect

  • Call or schedule online through the patient portal – New patients must call to get their portal set up.
  • Consent form through the portal should be complete prior to coming in to keep your appointment time on track.
  • Arrive early if it’s your first visit.
  • Remove all of your clothing and jewelry.
  • Swimsuits are optional – the salt of the tank will damage fabric.
  • Shower before entering the tank.
  • Enter the tank and close the door.
  • Gently lie back and let the buoyancy of the water help you float.
  • An Intro will play for 10 minutes at the start of your session to help you relax.
  • You can choose to have lighting or music during your session.
  • Float for an hour.
  • Lighting will come on and a post session message will play to inform you that your session is over.
  • Get out of the tank once your session has ended.
  • Shower again and get dressed and use the main restroom for doing hair and make up.
  • Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Towels and blow dryer is provided
  • To help you relax and get the most out of your session, it is recommended that you eat something approximately 30 minutes before your session. It’s also helpful to avoid caffeine for four hours beforehand.
  • Shaving or waxing before a session is not recommended as the salt in the water can irritate the skin.
  • Women who are menstruating should reschedule their session for once their period has ended.
float tank