At Float 207, we often hear from clients who discover a deep sense of peace in our float tanks, sometimes for the first time in years. For individuals living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the simple act of floating in silence and darkness can offer profound relief. While float therapy isn’t a cure for PTSD, it can be a powerful complementary tool for managing symptoms and restoring a sense of safety in the body and mind.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, and emotional numbness. For many, the nervous system becomes “stuck” in a state of fight, flight, or freeze, even long after the traumatic event has passed.
The Science: Floating and PTSD
Several emerging studies suggest that float therapy may significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD by calming the nervous system and restoring a baseline of safety and rest.
In a 2018 pilot study conducted by Dr. Justin Feinstein at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, 50 participants with anxiety and stress related disorders-including PTSD-experienced significant reductions in anxiety and muscle tension after just one 60 minute float session. Participants also reported increased serenity, relaxation, and a sense of peacefulness (Feinstein et al., 2018).
In a follow-up study in 2023, Feinstein and his team focused specifically on individuals with PTSD. Results showed that float therapy provided “rapid and significant reductions in symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive thoughts and hyperarousal” (Feinstein et al., 2023). Importantly, participants described the float tank as a safe space -something that can be rare for those living with PTSD.
Why Floating Helps
Here are a few reasons why float therapy can be especially helpful for people with PTSD:
- Reduced sensory input: The float environment minimizes external stimuli, which can help calm an overactive nervous system.
- Increased mindfulness: Floating often promotes a meditative state, which has been linked to lower PTSD symptom severity (Polusny et al., 2015).
- Deep physical relaxation: Epsom salt helps release muscle tension, while the absence of gravity soothes chronic pain, which can be exacerbated by PTSD.
- Safe reconnection with the body: Trauma often causes a sense of disconnection from one’s body. Floating offers a gentle way to rebuild that connection.
What Our Clients Say
Many Float 207 clients have shared their stories of how floating has helped them sleep better, feel calmer, and experience a sense of safety they hadn’t felt in years. While everyone’s journey is unique, the common thread is a return to a more peaceful state of being, even if only for 90 minutes at a time (but many find that they carry that peace with them long after they emerge from the float tank!).
"I love the float. It really helps with my PTSD, anxiety and ADHD. I always leave relaxed and centered." -Allen Hicks via Google Reviews
"I absolutely love floating and all its benefits. I have slept better since I began floating monthly." -Brenna Wright via Google Reviews
"I am a retired Army Veteran. I did 22 years active duty, and my spine and joints took a beating over that time. I had a doctor at the VA recommend floating. I was very skeptical at first, but the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. So I gave it a try. It took some time for the weird feeling of what I can best describe as floating in water without touching it, but touching it. It felt good during it, but after the treatment was where I really felt better and more relaxed, then I had in years. I signed myself up for another one before I left. The rest of day and that night I felt so much more relaxed. Thank you Float 207!" - G. Newell via Google Reviews
A Complementary Approach
It’s important to note that float therapy is most effective when used as a complement to, not a replacement for, professional mental health treatment. Always consult with a healthcare provider or therapist when exploring new tools for managing PTSD.
Final Thoughts
Floating offers more than relaxation-it offers respite. For those managing PTSD, that hour and a half in the tank can be a sanctuary from the noise, pressure, and pain of everyday life. At Float 207, we’re honored to provide a space for healing, stillness, and hope.
Ready to try it for yourself?
Contact us to book a session or learn more about how float therapy can support your mental wellness journey.
References
- Feinstein, J. S., Khalsa, S. S., Yeh, H., Wohlrab, C., Simmons, W. K., Stein, M. B., & Paulus, M. P. (2018). Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST. PLOS ONE, 13(2), e0190292. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190292
- Feinstein, J. S., et al. (2023). Floatation-REST as a therapeutic intervention for PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science, 3(4), 378–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.04.004
- Polusny, M. A., Erbes, C. R., Thuras, P., et al. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 314(5), 456–465. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.8361
