Originally published in Natural Awakenings - April 2021
Dismissed by some as a fad, the practice of floating in a zero-stimulant environment to trigger deep relaxation and increase control over the power of focus has become more mainstream, thanks to the research of experts like clinical neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein Ph.D., of the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), on specific conditions like chronic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
"With the positive effects of floating being recognized and peer-reviewed research is continuing to get funded, and many floaters are able to get the sessions either reimbursed through their insurance company or accepted using their health savings account or their employer's flexible savings account," says Micah Saccomanno, owner of Rise Above Floatation, in Mount Kisco.
The landscape for floatation therapy is "ripe for potential for a broad application of its benefits," Saccomanno says. "LIBR is now turning its attention toward the effects of floating on eating disorders, with very encouraging results in reducing body dissatisfaction, and Dr. Feinstein is currently creating the Float Research Collective to integrate publishable data from float clinics around the world.
As we move toward a healthier society and are more educated in how are bodies heal, floatation therapy is fast becoming a practical and welcome part of our wellness routines."
