Thera Float and Massage Therapy

As the seasons change and we fall into our regular routine of back to school the modified schedules come to an end for many of us. It is important to remember to take time for yourself and not let your well-being fall to the bottom of your “To- Do List”

At Thera Float + Massage Therapy, we take care of a variety of clients in Burlington and surrounding area and we are a trusted name in the community. We take pride in our clinic and the well-being of each of our clients who have their own unique reasons for using our services. Some are athletes looking for alternate therapies to augment their training program and to help remain injury free.  We see clients that have chronic pain or injuries looking for a more treatment base approach.  Others come here because they understand the importance of regular float + massage to help promote relaxation and balance their busy lifestyle. Another great benefit is that many extended health care plans include massage therapy and hydrotherapy so more people are able to take advantage of our services to better support overall health.

It is easy for us here at Thera Float + Massage to speak about the incredible experiences that occur with regular float sessions and the numerous health benefits for the mind and body. Floating has become more mainstream as the public has a better understanding of these benefits due to the support of health advocates such as Joe Rogan.  He has brought forward the experience, research and development from the work of John C. Lilly back to life from the 1950’s. Sensory deprivation or more commonly known today as Float Therapy is based on the foundation of creating a sense of calm on the human body and mind.

When floating a person is immersed into a floatation tank which holds about 10 “of Epsom salt base solution that makes the water extremely buoyant enabling a person to float without any expended energy. The solution is kept at a temperature that is similar to the body’s external temperature (approximately 94 F) When entering an isolation float tank this therapy is known as REST (restricted environmental stimulation therapy). Shutting off from all outside stimuli allows the human mind and body to rest and reach a heightened state of relaxation. People who have experienced float therapy have shared that they experience positive benefits both physically and mentally even after one session.  We here at Thera have found that it typically takes at least three sessions to fully get into the “float zone”.

For people who suffer from chronic pain issues evidence shows that the period of weightlessness experienced during a float therapy session can greatly reduce their symptoms. The infusion of Epsom salt and the buoyancy of the water takes the stress off muscles and joints. Essentially, floating removes all the effects of gravity on the body – from a physiological standpoint this allows the body’s circulation system to work properly and the body begins to rejuvenate and start to heal from the everyday wear and tear our body endures. This reduction of stress on the body, and the improved circulation, often results in lower blood pressure and heart rate. People who have experienced float therapy also report that they sleep better on days they have had a float. So, if you suffer from back pain, arthritis or any kind of inflammation you will want to try float therapy.

We all face a certain number of stressors in our life, some good and some bad and the body adapts to both of these stressors in the same way. The effects of stress, either good or bad, puts our body into a negative response leaving us in fight or flight mode for an extended period of time. All of this can attribute to the aches and pains we perceive to feel in our bodies and if left unattended may lead to more chronic aliments. Stress not only takes a toll on the body but also on the mind. Anxiety, depression can be directly related to chronic stress. There is evidence that float therapy can ease symptoms of chronic stress and bring about a greater sense of relaxation and peace of mind.  During a float therapy session, a person often experiences a tremendous sense of relaxation and this is most likely caused by the release of endorphins which occurs when a body reaches a heightened relaxed state. This infusion of endorphins can decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase feelings of energy and well-being.

A float session can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes – during this time of relaxation many people reported that they fell into states similar to meditation. This sense of meditation can greatly assist to calm the mind and reduce stress. A float therapy session is an ideal time to turn inwards and self reflection time.

Massage therapy is an excellent way to prepare your self pre-float and to help you further relax during your float session, many of our clients find this to be the perfect blend of relaxation therapy. Can I float before my massage? Yes, the benefit of floating prior to your massage is the warm water and sensory deprivation of a float therapy session will deeply relax you and release the lactic acid from your muscles. By relaxing prior to your massage this will allow your massage therapist to manipulate your muscles at a deeper level and will result in a very relaxing and effective treatment

If ever uncertain as to which type of massage therapy will provide the greatest benefit to you and your specific needs, simply book an assessment with a therapist prior to your first treatment.  This will help to better establish your treatment goals and measure your outcome.

We offer a variety of treatment styles to best suit your needs:

Swedish Massage – involves the use of forearms, hands and even elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health.

Deep Tissue – involves applying slow strokes and firm pressure to reach the deepest layers of the muscle and the connective tissues surrounding the muscle.

Sports Massage and Taping – geared toward athletes, sports massage is designed to help athletes recover from injury and maintain their body in optimal condition. Taping involves wrapping an injured joint to prevent it from moving in areas that cause pain while maintaining a range of motion.

Hot Stone Massage – employing hot stones as part of this therapy, the heat from the stones relaxes the muscles and expands the blood vessels allowing for greater blood flow throughout the body.

Bamboo Massage – uses hollow bamboo canes, either warmed or at room temperature as tools to facilitate the massage (sometimes it is incorporated using hot stones).

Prenatal Massage – relieves the normal discomforts of pregnancy and helps reduce aches, leg cramps and edema.

Reiki – is a spiritual healing art of Japanese origin. Its focus is on energy work using spiritually guided life force energy.

We look forward to seeing you very soon for your upcoming Massage + Float appointment, your mind and body will thank you and you will leave feeling rejuvenated and with better balance your daily life challenges! Ask us about our Massage + Float packages and float memberships book a float therapy session and a massage now!