Dermatology
The special health benefits of dead sea mineral salt were already known since antiquity. Through the centuries, humankind has discovered ever more aspects of the beneficial effects of mineral salt, especially when highly dosed in baths. Floating in a high concentrate of magnesium sulphate brine (also known as epsomite or bitter salt) causes a sensation that is similar to that of bathing in the dead sea.
Particularly in dermatology, a lot of research is being done on the effects of highly saturated brine on human skin. Saltwater baths can be very helpful when treating common skin conditions such as allergies, neurodermatitis and psoriasis. Loss of moisture in the cells is balanced out and minerals and other nutrients are transported more easily through the cell membrane.
The alleviation of a number of skin problems has been very well documented. Skin diseases seldom improve with medication or other therapies, so that many patients seek this approach as the only truly effective treatment. The salt penetrates hard skin and comparatively little water is absorbed. Studies show that proteins in the skin’s cells are broken down and with that cell proliferation increases. This naturally stimulates epidermal regeneration and the skin becomes smoother. Magnesium assists in normalising exfoliation of the skin and accelerates the metabolism of the cells.
When floating, there are two additional effects which have an indirect effect on skin diseases of psychosomatic origin:
* deep relaxation through the effect of floating weightlessly
* sensory deprivation which relieves the complete nervous system
When floating in the dead Sea as well as in other brine bath, it is recommended not to stay longer than 30 minutes, as some of the high-chloride salts (mostly sodium chloride) frequently cause skin irritations. However, by using high-purity magnesium sulphate, which is by far the most gentle salt to the skin, sessions may be lasting up to several hours.
Orthopaedics
To float in highly saturated brine puts the human body in a position which is unlike lying on a bed, waterbed, bathtub or any other lying surface. This particular position provides following benefits:
* the spine is completely straight
* individual vertebrae are not functional twisted
* relaxation of all muscle groups simultaneously (particulary the muscles of the neck)
* all joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments and bones are relieved at the same time
Hereby acute and chronic tension is released and slipped discs, joint pains, sciatica, lumbago, pulled muscles or sprains improve.
In particular chronic back pain, which has become the most widespread and common complaint may be relieved by floating in a high saturated brine.
Rehabilitation
The aim of rehabilitative medicine is to restore the patients physical and organ functions through physio-therapeutical measures.
Successful restoration of lost or impaired muscular-skeletal functions is primary dependent on post-surgery rehabilitation treatment. The advantages of floating in a high saturated brine are clear to be identified:
* the floating effect enables irritated bones and joints after surgery to be immobilized, thus inducing more rapid healing
* whiplash often goes together with small fractures of various processes of the cervical vertebrae, which are often not diagnosed sufficiently. Patients often suffer for months floating loosens sprained neck muscles and allows the cervical vertebrae to lie straight and without any pressure. This often leads to surprisingly quick results
* similarly, smaller injuries like pulled muscles, sprains and contusions are relieved through floating and the overall relaxation of the nervous system (reduction of external stimuli)
* muscular relaxation and the effect of sensory deprivation reduce the stimulation of the nervous system enormously. This leads to larger endorphin production in the brain and the convalescent patient often describes a subjectively lower sensation of pain
Stress-Management
Convienced users across the world agree that floating is one of the most effective means today to reduce stress.
The Australian Institute of Sports, for example, has been using floatation for stress management very successfully for years. Scientific research shows that the deep relaxation has a lasting effect by accelerating the reduction of ACTH, adrenaline, noradrenalin and cortisol levels.
* in the relaxed state while floating, it is virtually impossible to experience anxiety, as we know from behavioural therapy, anxiety or fear and relaxation are mutually exclusive. Some dental clinics for example use floatation tanks for patients afraid of receiving dental treatment.
* by deeply relaxing in the tank and screening out exterior stimuli, it is easier to become aware of and then experience your inner, psychic world more freely, openly and without distractions. Correlations, which would take a much longer time to recognise, can be comprehended, processed and changed when floating within a short time.
* in a state of deep relaxation to experience inner and outer calm, we can influence mental processes more easily and with a longer lasting effect than without the help of a tank. This makes the floatation tank an ideal instrument for all types of mental training. The calm you experience is maintained, so that when we float regularly ouer stress tolerance can be noticeably increased.