February 19, 2024

How Safe Is Float Therapy?

Float therapy is gaining widespread popularity all across the world. Thousands of people use this treatment to rest, restore, rejuvenate and even plan and visualize.

Due to the increase of interest, it’s crucial to scrutinize its safety aspects. There are many clinical studies that help quantify how floating is helping many individuals enhance the quality of their lives.

Most of the population can float without experiencing negative side effects.

Has anyone experienced side effects from float therapy?

There are some instances when people don’t take safety measures seriously, and that’s why they experience some negative consequences.

So, is floating safe or not?

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into that so you can learn if floating is safe for you. So keep reading.

What Is Float Therapy?

Float therapy is also known as sensory deprivation or REST: Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy. It is a practice in which an individual enters a tank filled with about 11 inches of water and a super high concentration of Epsom salt around 1000-1300 lbs.

The solution is buoyant, creating an environment where an individual floats lying comfortably half in and half out of the water.

The tank is entirely soundproof and lightproof. Thus creating a space that minimizes external stimuli. The temperature is carefully maintained so that you are comfortable and not focusing on temperature. This environment allows the person floating to enter a state of rest and digest and experience a weightless state – both mentally and physically.

5 Ways To Measure Safety Of Float Therapy

When people think about floating, they are bombarded with lots of thoughts. The most prominent among them is: is floating safe?

Here are five primary concerns of people regarding floating. By knowing these, you’ll be able to understand that float therapy is safe.

1. Float Solution Quality

Ensuring that the solution quality is up to the mark is crucial.

That’s why most float tanks have advanced cleaning systems and why amazing float centers like us hold a high standard of sanitation.

Here are some things that ensure consistent quality in our solution.

Flashlight check before and after someone floats
Filtered between float sessions passing the solution through a 10 micron filter, UV light sterilization, and ozone.
35% H202 added daily to maintain proper levels
Medical grade Epsom Salt is antimicrobial by nature
Deep cleaned every Maintenance Monday

The amount of magnesium salt in the float liquid is around 1000 pounds. The solution is 51% water and 49% Epsom Salt. No germs can withstand living in such an environment.

But is that all?

No. The UV light in the tank initiates a molecular reaction, which makes the water crystal clean and clear.

Once exposed to UV light, it’ll immediately destroy the bacteria. The bacteria won’t be able to reproduce anymore.

Hygiene Standards

Disinfecting floatation tanks is crucial for the safety of individuals. But why?

Let’s suppose a person enters a float tank without removing oil. So, if the tank is disinfected properly, all the germs and microorganisms will be eliminated.

The water in the tank is cleared after every 40 minutes during the session. So you can rest assured that water is fully sanitized before your session begins.

The float tanks are completely safe and sanitized.

Buoyancy & Physical Safety

One of the biggest concerns of people when it comes to float therapy is the fear of drowning. Will I drown during my float session?

The truth is that you can drown in liquid, but the float tank is built differently. They are fundamentally safe because of Epsom salt.

The high concentration of salt in the float tank provides effortless buoyancy. Due to this, the individual will not drown. Then what will happen?

Instead, you’ll float half in and half out of the solution. Floating is considered a low-risk, safe activity.

It is even safe to fall asleep in the float tank. Your head will rest level and stable in the water. You may fall asleep and imagine you’re in the comfiest bed ever.

If you go to turn onto your side like you would in your bed, you will just wobble in the water and remember you’re floating and not in a bed. This may induce laughter. Or it may result in getting a little bit of salt in your eyes. Rinse your eyes out if you do get a bit of the solution in your eyes.

How Accessible is it?

If someone has limited mobility but wants to float, some facilities can accommodate. At Float Love we have one tank that is large enough to hold two humans – so if one person needs assistance getting in and out of the tank, they can float together. Or they can also float solo and press the alert button to let their loved one waiting in the lobby know to come into the room and assist them out of the tank.

We also have grippy floor mats in the shower area to ensure that it is not a slipping hazard.

Clear User Guidelines

Floating is safe, but there’s something more important than that.

It is the floatation center you choose.

Reputable floatation centers provide people with clear guidelines and instructions before their session. You should also gain knowledge regarding float therapy and the concept of sensory deprivation.

Open Staff Communication

Suppose you book a floatation therapy session. You visit a shop, but no one’s greeting you. They are not sanitizing the isolation tank properly.

It eventually affects your float therapy experience.

So, ensure staff members are trained to listen attentively and provide relevant information or assistance.

Communication with staff allows users to customize their experience based on preferences. Whether adjusting lighting, music, or other environmental factors, staff can help create a personalized and comfortable setting.

It ensures your floatation experience is not only safe but also enjoyable.

Step-by-step Guide To Figuring How Safe Float Therapy Is For You

Now that you know what floating is and that it’s safe, you still need to take some steps. It will help you personalize the journey and determine whether you should opt for this treatment.

Step 1: Consult Healthcare Professional

Firstly, you should consult a doctor to ensure you are medically fit for this treatment. These tanks are excellent for relaxation, but if you’re suffering from severe health issues and think that float therapy will magically fix it for you, then you should reconsider your options.

Here are some people who shouldn’t opt float therapy.

Open Wounds or Skin Infections: Individuals with open wounds, cuts, or contagious skin infections should avoid float therapy.
Claustrophobia: People with severe claustrophobia may find the enclosed space of a floatation tank distressing (although our float tanks are pretty large!)
Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders: Float therapy involves sensory deprivation and changes in body position. It could pose risks for individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders.
Contagious Diseases: Those with contagious illnesses or infections that can be easily transmitted to others should refrain from float therapy.
Chronic Ear Infections or Conditions: Float tanks require individuals to submerge their ears in water. Those with chronic ear infections or other ear-related conditions may be at risk of complications.

Step 2: Research Float Centers

Now that you know your medical condition, look for float centers. Check testimonials from past clients and Google reviews. Check their adherence to hygiene standards, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction.

Don’t forget to explore the float center’s user guidelines and instructions. Check all the measures they take and how they operate. They should provide clear information on pre-float preparation, hygiene practices, and what to expect during and after the session.

Don’t forget to tell the staff if you have a specific health condition.

Suppose there’s a pregnant woman getting float therapy after approval from the doctor. It’s crucial to let the staff know about it so they can accommodate your needs. We always provide pool noodles for pregnant women so that they have extra support during their sessions. We can also guide you through different float positions that may be more comfortable.

Step 3: Ensure Sanitary Standards

All the float therapy services should adhere to safety and health standards.

The filtration system should be robust to ensure there are no microorganisms left. Any discrepancy should be immediately solved.

You can enjoy your session and achieve peace of mind.

Step 4: Make a Personalized Experience

Remember that everyone is unique, so you should seek a float experience that suits your preferences. In many centers, you can customize your experience accordingly. It makes you more comfortable during the float therapy session.

If it’s your first time floating, avoid rushing the process. Know that you will be guided through the process and have time to ask any and all questions with an experienced float facilitator before you begin your session. Be patient with yourself and listen to your intuition.

If you want to move or stretch in the tank, do it! But do know that you get a great amount from the practice of being totally still. Once you become really still, you stop noticing you are in water and your mind slows down.

It takes at least 3 floats to familiarize yourself with the process and start to see incremental benefits from regular float sessions. During the session, notice how your body responds and become curious about yourself. Awareness is one of the many treasures that floating provides.

Step 5: Listen To Your Intuition

Floating helps us to really take into consideration what we are needing moment to moment. If you feel like you need to move, or hum, or sing, or get out and stretch. Or there is a stinging sensation from a minor cut you have and you’re wondering if you should get out, rinse off the area, dry it. And then apply our a&d ointment.

Follow your intuition and do what will make you most comfortable and able to enjoy your time. During your float session and hopefully when you move through your life afterwards.

Because your wellness should be your utmost priority, if you face any discomfort, be open to finding a solution and tend to yourself like you would a little child.

Some floats may feel very comfortable and enjoyable and easy. Other floats may feel like a challenge, like a stretching of your comfort zone, and a game of how to surrender. Each and every insight and experience is worth celebrating as it all leads to growth and healing if you allow it to.

To Sum Up

There are plenty of advantages of float therapy. For a long time, it’s considered one of the best treatments for alleviating many physical and mental issues. Despite that, ensuring all safety measures are properly taken is important.

That way, you’ll have a comfortable float experience.

It’s a secure and highly recommended experience. However, don’t hesitate to contact a healthcare professional if you have some physical issues. You can get expert advice and determine if float therapy fits you.

If you’re ready to enhance your relaxation, we are just a call away. Experience otherworldly float therapy sessions with endless benefits. Contact us today 1-877-806-3306 or www.floatlove.ca.