Isolation tank

Floating ( engl. float, float ) is a relaxation process in which people with the help of concentrated salt water in a special floating plant ( floating tank or floating pool), isolated from external stimuli, virtually weightless floating at the water surface. In the medical field use in pain medicine, orthopedics, dermatology and sports medicine is researched. In the therapeutic range is floating in stress management, used in burnout and addictions. The spa Floating is also offered with light and sound effects. The aim is a physical and mental deep relaxation.

Method

The structural design of a floating plant is similar (synonyms: relaxation tank, insulation tank, Samadhi tank, floating tank ) a kind of bath in a dark and sound-proof booth. A floatation tank is the internal dimension about 2.30 meters long and 1.50 meters wide. Floating Basin exist in different shapes and sizes. They can therefore also be used by two persons.

The specific gravity of water is increased by the addition of salts (usually magnesium sulfate) at 1.30, so that the human body is floating without contact between the pan in the solution. The water is set at about 34.8 ° C on human skin temperature, so that the user neither heat nor coldness ( thermo- neutral bath). A temperature of 35.5 ° C should not be exceeded as this may lead to circulatory disorders. Due to the water temperature and the lack of external stimuli, the sense of their own body limit should disappear. The low water depth ( 25 cm) makes it easy to sit up and interrupt the floating.

The voluntary withdrawal of visual and acoustic stimuli can lead to deep relaxation, because the brain and nervous system to process virtually any external data more.

Contraindication

Contraindicated is floating among others:

• Cold with cough
• Contagious / infectious diseases such as flu infection, gastrointestinal diseases, athlete's foot, etc.
• Skin injuries such as abrasions, ( fresh ) cuts or burns, skin cracks or skin diseases with open wounds
• Untreated epilepsy
• Tendency to thrombosis
• Problems with the closure muscle between the esophagus and stomach
• Reduced kidney function and / or dialysis.
• Psychiatric treatment without a vote of the attending physician
• Mental illness, suicide, increased aggressiveness, mental disorders
• Influence of certain psychotropics
• Myocardial disease and high blood pressure
• Claustrophobia
• Menstruation

Because of the salt content in a float tank at about 20-25 percent, you should make before the float no body shaving, thus avoiding a possible firing.

History

The first floating systems have been developed by the American neurophysiologist John C. Lilly at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH ) in 1954-56. His aim was to investigate in connection with his research on " Sensory Deprivation ", the activity of the brain when it is completely shielded from external stimuli. Lilly found that it then falls into a special state of relaxation that is settled, based on the brain wave frequency between waking and sleeping.

Dama Lige colleagues looked at Lilly's experiments on himself first with suspicion and skepticism. It was felt that total sensory deprivation, would make people insane. However, Lilly experienced the exact opposite in the floating tank, and was convinced of the positive effect; according to its own statements, he benefited from a "completely new inner experiences ." For the floating pioneer, these were clearly to " altered states of consciousness ". John C. Lilly also claimed that to achieve such a deep relaxation for all muscle groups in any other place would be like when floating.

From 1956 until the construction of the first commercial floating tanks in 1977 was floating exclusively scientifically researched and the public was not yet available. At various U.S. universities (mainly the Harvard Medical School) studies in the field of orthopedics, pain medicine and behavioral research were carried out.

From the mid- 1970s, the floating tank in the United States was first used by supporters of the New Age movement and named after the Sanskrit term Samadhi as " Samadhi Tank". From the USA flotation tanks the mid-1980s came about initially by the UK, Australia and the Netherlands. Since the late 1990s, new commercial studios emerged in the context of the emerging wellness trends in all countries of Europe and Asia. In Germany and the UK associations that provide information about the effects and background of floating exist.

Scientific Research

The authors of a meta-analysis of 27 studies on the flotation -REST ( Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique ) come to the conclusion that the floating could be superior to other relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, or the breathing relaxation. Recent studies from the years 2005 to 2010 come to the conclusion that staying in a salt water filled float tank let fall the blood pressure, the sensation of pain diminish and can have a positive effect on the perception of stress and tension as well as in depression. Although the wings of the so-called theta waves when floating could also be caused by meditation, autogenic training, or a massage, but it was expensive by far. In addition, floating WOULD mood enhancing, and strengthen the immune system. Therefore, the levitation is superior to other relaxation techniques in salt water

Since its development a few hundred clinical studies to explore the effect of the floating have been carried out. This took place almost exclusively in the U.S., recent research took place mainly in Sweden.

The main fields of scientific research to the floating are: orthopedics, dermatology, sports medicine and stress management.