How Float Therapy Can Help with Arthritis

A recent study reported that chronic pain affects 116 million people, and of people with arthritis, pain is consistently the most common reason patients visit their rheumatologist.

In other words, the majority of people with arthritis are in pain – even with doctor visits!

Why Your Arthritis Treatment Isn’t Working

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints – a musculoskeletal problem that can (depending on the case) be relieved with a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle changes, and therapeutic modalities (like floating). If, however, medication or steroid injections are the sole tools you use to combat pain, then chances are likely that your arthritis stays the same (or even worsens).

According to this article on Arthritis.org, “studies have found that non-medical interventions, including meditation and relaxation techniques, can significantly reduce arthritis pain.”

The article goes on to quote Dr. Starz, who states, “medications can block pain, but they don’t change the underlying disease process.” What Dr. Starz concludes is that targeting and treating the pain source is the ultimate form of pain relief, and plays a lead role in managing arthritic pain.

The Effect of Floating on Arthritis:

The good news is, floatation therapy can drastically help to decrease pain from arthritis, when used as a complement to a medical treatment plan.

Because of the sheer weightlessness involved with a float session – if you’ve ever floated in a tank, you know that it almost feels like you have no body at all! – the pain-causing pressure that is normally placed on the joints is suddenly gone. Floating for even thirty minutes can calm arthritic nerves and muscles, and leave the body as a whole feeling new and refreshed.

According to a study that examined the effects of sensory isolation tanks (floatation tanks), floatation therapy “significantly decreased” the worst pain experienced by patients, and – just as incredible – sleep quality significantly increased.

People Who Float Are Happier

If, after reading the above, you are still not convinced of the powers of float therapy, then you should just try it out for yourself!

Not only will you try it first-hand (and then be able to give a fair opinion – which, if you are like most people who have tried float therapy, will be a positive experience!), you will have tried something new. And according to psychologist Rich Walker, actively trying new things and engaging in new experiences makes you happier.

If you want to be happier, feel less pain, and find more success in your treatment plan for arthritis, consider adding to your routine floatation therapy.