What is Fibromyalgia and How is Associated with Float Therapy?
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the appearance of discomfort in eighteen particular tender points in the body. This pain or discomfort can be followed by profound exhaustion and poor focus or attention. Many people living with Fibromyalgia also experience depression and anxiety, both of which can increase pain.
The Floatation Therapy/Fibromyalgia Connection
Fibromyalgia is a disorder marked by extensive musculoskeletal pain, defined as a constant dull ache, typically originating in the muscles. Fibromyalgia affects 2% of the general population, and women are much more prone to acquire it than are men by a 9:1 ratio, which is notable.
Fibromyalgia is an overwhelming and often unpredictable condition that produces dreadful pain and impacts life by conflicting with the ability to do elementary things.
While Fibromyalgia is not fully understood, current speculation is that it is the result of central development of pain sensitivity, either triggered by a traumatic experience or just developing steadily. It has been proposed that people living with Fibromyalgia have a magnesium deficiency induced by stress and absence of relaxing sleep that consequently triggers nerves to react to even minor stimuli.
Characteristics/Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
⦁ Connected to stress both as a trigger and as a causal factor.
⦁ Muscle pain.
⦁ Muscle tightness (pattern of muscle knots described as trigger points, seldom tension headaches,
temporomandibular joint disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome).
⦁ Inability to obtain a night of restful sleep. (people with Fibromyalgia usually awaken tired, even though they
report sleeping for extended periods. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and numerous cases of Fibromyalgia
have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea).
⦁ Magnesium deficiency.
The Beneficial effects of floating (REST) on people with Fibromyalgia
⦁ Stress Reduction.
⦁ Reduced Pain in General.
⦁ Reduced Muscle Tension.
⦁ Decreased Pain Caused by Muscle Tension.
⦁ Lessening of Anxiety.
⦁ Mood Elevation.
⦁ Improved Sleep.
⦁ Magnesium Absorption (from the MgSO4 solution in the Float Tank).
Conclusion
Living with fibromyalgia is not easy, but treatment alternatives are available—and as a supplement to other traditional methods, spending time in a float tank can provide great relief from the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Due to the weightlessness and sensory restriction encountered in the float pod, floatation therapy can assist with the relief of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic osteoarthritis, sports-related injuries, migraines, back and joint pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, bursitis, and traumatic injuries. Floating helps to stimulate the body’s own natural power of healing and regeneration.
If you know someone living with fibromyalgia, reach out and inform him/her about the benefits float therapy can bring to their lives. The Floatation Sanctuary is committed to bringing awareness to the community as well as providing most needed relief to everyone suffering from fibromyalgia.
Other Sources
fibromyalgiaflotationproject.com/learn
clinicalfloatation.com/
