What Exactly Does Flotation Therapy Do? An Expert Sounds Off

More than ever, people are starting to understand the importance of self-care. While anxiety and stress from things like work, relationships, and finances are hardly new afflictions, more modern concepts include reducing the stigma around this type of suffering as well as seeking holistic solutions. Wellness has become a major buzzword and it seems like every day there's a hot new product, practice, or treatment to try that promises to do everything from improve sleep to renew your energy so you can live your best, healthiest life. And if you've been staying on top of the trends, you've probably been wondering what the benefits of flotation therapy are, right?

If you're someone who loves to indulge in a stress-relieving bath (made even better with the addition of soothing, CBD-spiked bombs), you already know the healing power warm water alone can have on the body. That said, float therapy promises a lot more than just relaxing sore muscles. In addition to the fact that these tanks are loaded with epsom salt (which is also how you float when you're in them), they're also designed to temporarily suspend some of your senses. Not only are they light and soundproof, but the floating creates a way for your body to do as little work as possible.

So what does all that mean for your body, and what you'll get out of a float therapy experience? Jeff Ono, founder and owner of Pause Float Studio in Los Angeles, breaks down all the benefits ahead.

Lower Stress Levels

Stress reduction is one of the primary reasons so many people are seeking float therapy. "The near stimuli-free environment, paired with magnesium, encourages relaxation of adrenal glands," Ono explains. "Also, flotation therapy promotes deeper sleep which results in one being more rested, thus more relaxed." Improved sleep too? Even more reason to give it a try.

Pain Relief

"People with chronic and stress-related muscle pain can turn to flotation therapy," Ono says. "Floating oxygenates the body promoting better circulation to the brain, organs, and limbs which can minimize muscular pain and even pain from degenerative disc disease or herniated disks."

Physical Recovery

If you're someone who tends to go hard at the gym, regular floating could mean quicker muscle recovery, according to Ono. "Because of the more efficient circulation one experiences while floating, muscles recover quicker as they receive more oxygenated blood," he says. "Floating reduces the levels of lactic acid in blood, which allows muscles to heal much faster."

Meditation

Ono adds that the sensory deprivation aspect of floating might also make for a mediative experience. "When floating, people are able to achieve the same benefits with a fraction of the effort," he explains. "The stimuli-free, relaxed environment paired with the fact that one essentially commits to floating (undressing, getting in salt-filled water) creates an almost ‘forced’ meditation environment."

Illness Prevention

Because floating can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, plus increase your circulation, Ono argues that it can help prevent illness by making your body function better overall. "When floating, everything becomes more efficient [and] the mind is able to focus on healing," he offers.