Urban Wellness Float were contact recently by someone that suffers from CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and asking whether floatation therapy would help them. We have had clients visit us regularly who suffer from many ranging conditions, but I personally couldn't remember someone mentioning CFS. Question then to the then put to the Ross Float Family and they confirmed we had a number of people with CFS and ME.
Mind you, MND, MS, osteo arthritis, sleep disorders (ie insomnia), anxiety, stress, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, post operative support including cancer related illnesses, sports injury recovery, being some of the main conditions of clients we know of using our facility.
So when we did our own digging around, this particular blog stood out from the rest, and we just wanted to share it with others.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) occurs when individuals experience extreme fatigue. It’s different from feeling tired, as this kind of fatigue goes away after you sleep. People with CFS feel constant fatigue, in spite of adequate rest, for a period of six months or more.
One of the most frustrating things about CFS is it limits your ability to enjoy or complete everyday activities. Individuals may have a hard time interacting socially or tending to work tasks. Generally speaking, physicians diagnose CFS if your experience at least of four of the following symptoms for a period of at least six months:
Muscle pains
Headaches
Problems with memory
Joint pain
Difficulty sleeping, including sleeping too much
Swollen or tender lymph nodes
Sore throat
Feeling sick for more than 24 hours after any physical activity
Often, a physician diagnoses CFS after ruling out several other possibilities. It’s difficult to diagnose and equally difficult to treat. Thankfully, floatation therapy can help individuals cope with extreme fatigue, whether they have a formal diagnosis of CFS or not:
Control External Stressors
Scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes CFS – some believe it’s the result of a viral infection, while others point to immune system or hormonal problems. The exact root of the condition is being explored, but we do know stress exacerbates the condition. Float therapy helps control stress by reducing triggers, clearing your mind, and even reducing the perception of pain. So while floating won’t “cure” your CFS, it can help control symptoms that may be contributing to your fatigue.
Improve Your Sleep
Research has shown that float therapy can help your circadian rhythm and works to restore our body’s natural sleep and wake cycle. The blue light emitted from LEDs, TVs, and other screens can throw off the balance and contribute to your sense of fatigue. Regular float therapy helps restore your natural rhythm while helping you achieve a good night’s sleep.
Find Reprieve in Creativity
When your brain lacks sensory input, it begins to create its own. Each person experiences a float session differently, but some report experiencing a boost in creative thoughts and euphoria. The only way you’ll know how floatation therapy affects you is by giving it a try! Floating can’t cure your CFS once and for all, but it can help you reduce the negative effect of its symptoms.
This blog encouraged us to dig deeper on the internet, and we plan on sharing what we find. There has been some medical research undertaken using float therapy and CFS sufferers, but we need to obtain permission to re-publish the material.
A big thank you to North West Float Centre in Tacoma, Washington, USA.
Credit: Original blog written by the guys at North West Float Centre. And the blog can be found here: https://northwestfloatcenter.com/chronic-fatigue-floatation-tanks/