What is floating? Floating is the groundbreaking practice of putting the human body in a buoyant position in about 12 inches of water. This water is infused with 1,500 pounds of magnesium sulfate, which is more commonly known as Epsom Salt.
During a session, you float for about 60 to 90 minutes, and some people even prefer longer sessions. Floating happens inside, a specially engineered floatation device such as a float pod, float room, or floatation tank – the water inside the tank is kept at a warm body temperature. These devices produce a similar effect as a sensory deprivation tank and are specifically designed to block out light & sound.
Why is floating before a massage recommended? Both massage and floating trigger relaxation responses in our bodies. While floating, all of your senses are allowed to rest. This is sometimes easier said than done, however. By letting your nervous system catch a well-needed break from the non-stop, buzz of the city, your body can begin to suppress the stress hormone known as cortisol. By reducing your stress hormones, it boosts the regeneration process in your body. Simultaneously, It is a great opportunity to let work worries, family & relationship pressure, and all the negative forces in your life drift away giving you further mental peace. There are a plethora of scientifically proven benefits of both massage and floating.
After your body has entered a prime relaxation state from a 60-minute float, imagine moving onto the massage table with a qualified LMT. In a peaceful room with dim lights, you further expose yourself to a high level of physiological relaxation and mental tranquility. The combination of floating and massage regulates blood circulation and evenly distributes endorphins in your body. Endorphins are neurotransmitters responsible for pain relief, mood boost, and generating a feeling of euphoria. You no longer have to go through low appetite, foggy mind, and heightened anxiety.
Magnesium and Your Muscles And then there’s magnesium and its role in relaxing and soothing sore muscles. Float tanks are filled with magnesium, a lot. Each float tank contains 1500 pounds of magnesium sulfate (also known as Epsom salts) dissolved in a suite of 12 inches of water. It is this dense magnesium-rich solution that creates effortless buoyancy.
Besides making you float – like in the Dead Sea – your body immersed in a high-density Epsom salt water solution for an hour before a massage treatment works wonders in preparing your muscles.
By floating first your muscles become more relaxed. Massage therapists can work quicker and deeper on your more receptive muscles from the start of your massage session. Muscles aside, your skin also benefits from an hour’s float in a smooth and silky skin-temperature Epsom salt solution, becoming hydrated and moisturized rather than pruning.
Overall, after a float, you’re much more relaxed, making your body more receptive and ready for your massage.