Common Questions about Floating at Float Doctor
What makes your facility
different than other float facilities in the state? We don’t add any harsh halogens (i.e.
chlorine or bromine), bleaches, or hydrogen peroxide in the solution. We have the world’s only NSF 50 certified
floatation system approved for commercial use as of 2020. Other facilities use floatation pods, that are comparable in size
to a tanning bed and add chemicals to disinfect the solution. The certified
Float Lab chambers that we provide contain 14” of solution consisting of only
water and about 1200lbs of pharmaceutical grade Epsom salts. Clean. Pure. Salt
and Water. The way a float is meant to be. Our floatation chambers are 4.5’
wide x 8.5’ long x 7’ feet high.
What are some of the
benefits of floating? It is reported that most people have the following benefits associated
with floating; reduced stress, improved sleep, normalized blood pressure,
improved mobility, enhanced ability to concentrate, pain relief, strengthened
immune system, and reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These
benefits can last for several days. It also may take a few float sessions for
the person to get the full “reset” to achieve some of these above benefits. It
is truly up to the person floating to focus on “letting go” and relaxing in the
tank.
Can pregnant women float? Yes. Pregnant women probably get even more
relief from floating than most people. The extra weight carried by the
mother-to-be can be very stressful due to the forces of gravity. Floating
eliminates the negative effects of gravity, which causes joint pain, inflammation,
and stress on inside organs. Pregnant women have also reported a reduction of
erratic movements of the baby inside the womb. This is due to a phenomenon
called the “mirror effect.” The baby is safe and secure inside the womb, while the
mother shares a similar relaxing experience in the float tank.
Is there anyone who
should not float? You
should not float if you are presently ill, have a large wound that is not
healed, incontinent, or have uncontrolled seizures. In these cases, please get
a doctor’s recommendation.
Can you fall asleep in
the tank? Yes, many
people safely fall asleep because of the heightened state of relaxation. You
can still absorb the Epsom salt benefits while sleeping.
Do flotation tanks go
by any other names? Yes,
the most common names are: sensory deprivation tank, float tank, hydro chamber,
and isolation chamber.
Can two people float in
the same tank? We
can accommodate parties of 3 at one time, but our tanks are intended to be a private
experience for each individual.
Can I float while
menstruating? Yes, please follow the same protocol
you would for swimming. However, if you are expecting a heavy menstrual cycle,
we ask that you reschedule your float for a better time of the month.
Do I wear a bathing
suit? No, you will have complete privacy in the room. A bathing suit is
not necessary for the float, but you might want to bring it for the sauna. A
suit may take away from the float experience. The less sensation you have on
your body, the easier it will be to enter deep relaxation. It is completely up
to your comfort level.
Do I shower before my
float session? Yes,
this will rinse off the oils the skin naturally produced and help the skin
absorb the magnesium in the Epsom salts. It will also reduce the amount of
contaminates entering the tank with you.
We respect the tank here to offer the best experiences to our guests. It
is also recommended to shower after your float to remove the salt on the body.
I use Manic Panic hair
products, other facilities won’t let me float, can I float here? Yes, we do
not use any harsh chemicals in our filtration system. Therefore, there is no
hydrogen peroxide or halogens for your hair product to react with. Please make
sure that your color is set before floating to reduce our liners from getting
discolored.
What if I am
claustrophobic? It
is very unlikely that you will become claustrophobic in the chamber. It has
more space than a bottom bunk bed. There is little to no sensory input whilst
floating. Therefore, there is no reference of anything being close. It is very
often not a issue with our equipment.
What if I am not a strong swimmer? Floating doesn’t require any swimming skills. You’ll actually
float effortlessly no matter what shape or size you are.
Do I need to bring anything? If you have longer hair, you may want to bring a comb. And if
you wear contacts, please ask us for a case to use while you float. We also provide
towels, earplugs, organic conditioner, shampoo, and lotion.
Can I wear my contacts while I float? We recommend removing your contacts before your float, as
they could become a distraction if they become dry or you accidentally get salt
in your eyes.
What should I do to
prepare for my float experience? Don’t drink coffee or caffeinated beverages before a float as
this may hinder relaxation. Do not shave or wax on the same day of your float
as this can cause any nicks or sensitive dry areas to sting. Eat a light meal
an hour beforehand as it will help to quiet any digestion noises that your body
might make. Also, be sure to use the
restroom before entering your float room.
What should I do when I am in the tank? Use restroom before your float. Put ear plugs (provided)
in ears prior to your shower. Upon entering the tank, we recommend getting
acclimated to being in the chamber. Make a mental note where the door is. Open
the door to be sure you feel comfortable with finding the door before you unwind
and relax. By orienting to where the door is, you will more likely remember
where it is located after your session is complete. Lying in the solution, stretch
out your body and find a comfortable position. Breathe slow and calmly as you
try to let go of any thoughts you don’t wish to indulge.
Occasionally, you might
need to stretch again as you come “in and out” of your meditative state.
Hearing your pulse or having other strange phenomenon (seeing colors, hearing
breathing, out of body feelings) may occur as your body learns to disengage
from the surroundings. Chronic pain may seem amplified for a brief moment
before that too desensitizes. The mind simply becomes more aware of it for a
short period prior to releasing the sensory input. Walk through anything
mentally that you don’t want to think about like it’s a cloud of smoke to
release it.
