FLOATATION FOR FIBROMYALGIA

With recent research there is some compelling evidence that flotation REST can greatly improve the lives of people with fibromyalgia by significantly decreasing their pain, muscle tension, anxiety and stress. It also significantly increased freedom of movement, energy, mood and quality of sleep. Most of these improvements showed longer-term relief as the participants floated repeatedly.

With the major symptoms of fibromyalgia and effects of floatation therapy, this table shows the synergistic connection of the two to help improve the lives of Fibromyalgia patients:

 

RESEARCH: THE FIBROMYALGIA FLOTATION PROJECT

Currently there is a world wide effort between float centres and fibromyalgia patients worldwide to help prove the positive effects of floatation REST and fibromyalgia run by The Fibromyalgia Floatation Project overseen by Float On. 

 

FIBROMYALGIA & FLOATATION REST RESEARCH: ROD BORRIE

In 2010, Dr. Rod Borrie helped organize a collaborative research project between float centers across the world. They gathered data on the effects of float tanks on victims of fibromyalgia. The results were incredibly positive, leading Rod to take the study to the next level.

He has been working with Float On to create an online medium for research collaboration between float tank centers on a large scale. Rod Borrie and Graham Talley will present this new website and its possibilities, with the Fibromyalgia Flotation Project being the flagship study that will kick it off. Here are slides from the video below which shows in detail the before and after data of his study.

(Watch from 8min -33min mark)

Here is a link to a recent article in the Pain Practitioner on Rod Borrie’s research.

 

TINA GRAHAM TALKING ABOUT FLOATATION THERAPY & FIBROMYALGIA

Tina Graham of the UK talks about how floating in an isolation tank has helped her deal with the immense physical pain she suffers from Fibromyalgia (FM). She also explores the psychological side of floating and how it ties into her own PhD research. Here she is being interviewed at the Float Summit Conference in April 2012.

Time markers

1:10Talks about PhD research, “flare ups” and pain

2:22First float

4:03Pain relief from first float

4:52Second float

5:13Third float

7:46Pain relief from third float

8:08Fourth float

9:09Describes PhD, clinical work, synchronicity, etc.

13:17Addresses concerns of first time floaters

 

RESEARCH: KARLSTAD UNIVERSITY ON CHRONIC PAIN

Here is a summary of the Karlstad University Medical Research.  The research was government sponsored and the findings for chronic pain are highlighted below.

NEW RESEARCH undertaken at the Human Performance Laboratory at Karlstad University by Swedish PHD, Sven-Ake Bood concludes that regular floatation can drastically relieve chronic stress related ailments. Studies involving 140 people with long-term conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and fibromyalgia (chronic pain / fatigue) found that more than three quarters experienced noticeable improvements.

Research targeted the effectiveness of floatation treatment with regard to stress related pain and anxiety over the period of seven weeks. 22 percent of the participants became entirely free of pain and 56 percent experienced clear improvement.

Mr Bood commented: “Through relaxing in floating tanks, people with long-term fibromyalgia, for instance, or depression and anxiety felt substantially better after only 12 treatments”.

Further Research on chronic pain and floating.

If you would like to know more about the effects or would like to view the float tank and talk to us about these benefits of floatation for fibromyalgia, or would like to join the study Simply

Source: beyondrest.com.au

 

FLOATATION RESEARCH

Click on the links to view the research site or paper.  if there is no link copy and paste the information and search on google.

CHRONIC PAIN, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND FLOATING

Borrie R & Dr T Russell (2011) Floatation REST Therapy Results in Pain Relief and Relaxation for Fibromyalgia Patients. London, Berlin, Colleyville & Rotterdam.     http://www.wellrest.se/Floatation-helps-Fibromyalgia-UK.pdf

Sven-Ake Bood (2007) Bending and Mending the Neurosignature. Karlstad University Sweden – http://saltuary.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Fibromyalgia.pdf

A Kjellgren, U Sundequist, T Norlander, T Archer (2001) Effects of flotation-REST on muscle tension pain -http://saltuary.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Canadian-pain-society-En-and-FR.pdf

H Edebol, T Norlander, S A Bood (2008) Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders and Their Treatment Using Flotation-REST

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/5498508_Chronic_whiplash-associated_disorders_and_their_treatment_using_flotation-REST_(restricted_environmental_stimulation_technique)

Turner J. Jr & Fine T.H. (1985). REST-Assisted Relaxation and Chronic Pain. Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, USA – http://www.joergo.de/tank/rest.htm

HELP WITH STRESS MANAGEMENT THROUGH FLOATING

Dirk Van Dierendonck & Jan Te Nijenhuis (2004) Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis – http://saltuary.com.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dutch-2004-meta_analysis_REST.pdf

FLOATATION ENHANCING CREATIVITY

The experience of flotation-REST : Consciousness, Creativity, Subjective Stress and Pain. Kjellgren, Anette .Karlstad University (2003).  See Summary Here

SPORTS & MUSICAL STUDIES

Morgan P.M (2013) The acute effects of flotation restricted environmental stimulation technique on recovery from maximal eccentric exercise. Northern Illinois University – See Summary of research here

Bayler D (2000) Effects of REST on improving golfing performance – See summary of research here

Bond J.  AIS (1997). Floatation Therapy Current Concepts – Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra –  See summary of research here

McAleney P. & Barabasz A. (1993). Effects of Flotation REST and Visual Imagery on Athletic Performance: Tennis. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp.79-86.New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4684-8583-7_10

Suedfeld & Bruno (1990). Flotation REST and imagery in the improvement of athletic performance – BASKETBALL – University of British Columbia –  http://www.floating-verband.de/pdf/Suedfeld-1990-athletic-performance.pdf

FLOATATION AND THE PRE-MENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Goldstein D.D. & Jessen W.E. (1990). Flotation Effect on Premenstrual Syndrome. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.260-266. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.