On May 12, people from around the globe observe National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in an effort to shine a light on the often painful condition. It is reported that more than 12 million Americans are affected by fibromyalgia. True REST Float Spa joins in this important observance and hopes that people with this musculoskeletal condition find relief and reduced pain with floatation therapy.
Floatation Therapy for Fibromyalgia
In each float therapy session, guests float in a pod filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt mixed with skin temperature water. When dissolved in water, Epsom salt creates buoyancy, which alleviates gravity’s hold on the body to promote healing and relaxation. It’s one of the essential aspects of floatation therapy and helps create an effortless, cloud-like and unique experience.
Although included in float therapy, Epsom salt is an everyday, affordable, and safe substance for anyone to utilize in their own home for a bit of self-care.
What is Epsom Salt and how does it help with Fibromyalgia Relief?
Although “salt” is in the name, Epsom salt is not salt but a chemical compound of magnesium sulfate. Magnesium is a natural compound found within the body and essential for many internal and psychological functions. It can also be used to support external pain relief and relaxation.
But it’s not just located in the body. The most prominent location for magnesium sulfate is found in the Dead Sea. With a 34% salinity, the Dead Sea has a high magnesium, bromide, and sodium minerals concentration that draws out toxins or exfoliates the skin.
While float therapy doesn’t have the same beautiful sky backdrop as the Dead Sea does, the healing similarities are similar. Floating, whether in the Dead Sea or a float pod, has a high concentration of healing properties, promoting relaxation, muscle recovery and pain relief while also reducing inflammation and swelling.
One of the many uses for Epsom salts is to relieve chronic pain conditions. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects muscles, joints, and soft tissue, causing pain in everyday activities. Because of the hypersensitivity to stimuli, people who have fibromyalgia often experience pain during otherwise painless activities. It can be difficult for people to find relief from the pain associated with the condition, as with many other chronic pain ailments that limit a person’s quality of life.
Epsom Salt for Chronic Pain, Including Fibromyalgia Relief
Studies have shown that therapies utilizing Epsom salt, like floatation therapy, help pain reduction due to the healing nature of magnesium. When it’s mixed with water, it creates an environment free of gravity. Complete weightlessness allows the muscles to relax and tension to fully release. There is also a strong correlation between physical pain and mental health conditions, which is increasingly associated with stress; so when it’s eliminated in a quiet and serene environment, there is an opportunity to experience a significant amount of physical relaxation.
In addition, an average of 20% of people live with chronic pain conditions and have an anxiety disorder or depression. Because of the unknown nature of fibromyalgia, the pain and fear over the cause often lead to anxiety or related issues. Epsom salt is known to stabilize and improve mental states by relieving stress. The magnesium and water solution in float therapy can help increase serotonin, which is a hormone that contributes to happiness and relaxation. This serotonin boost is known to decrease the immediate effects of anxiety and depression.
Holistic Therapies and Fibromyalgia Relief
Holistic therapy and alternative medicine are effective pain management methods for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. Specifically, float therapy with the inclusion of Epsom salt has extensive healing properties. An hour of floating can relieve or ease anxiety, pain and depression, and better sleep quality and relaxation.
To learn more about how True REST Float Spa utilizes Epsom salts for Fibromyalgia relief, visit truerest.com/float-therapy/ for more information. Call today to schedule your float therapy session to experience its incredible benefits. Find a location near you by visiting truerest.com/locations/.