Can Sensory Deprivation Tanks Be Used as a Complementary Treatment for PTSD?

The world of therapeutic treatment is continually evolving. New techniques and technologies are being researched and developed to alleviate health issues, particularly mental health disorders. One such therapy that has gained popularity recently is the use of sensory deprivation tanks, also known as flotation tanks. Floatation therapy involves a person lying in a tank filled with warm, salt-saturated water that creates a buoyant environment, effectively reducing external stimuli to a minimum. Emerging studies have suggested its potential to alleviate stress, anxiety, and even physical pain. But could it also be effective as a complementary treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Let’s delve deeper into the evidence.

Understanding Floatation Therapy

Before we tackle the subject matter, it’s important to have a firm grasp of what floatation therapy is and how it works. A floatation tank, also known as a sensory deprivation tank, is a small, enclosed tank filled with about a foot of water and a high concentration of Epsom salts. This setup allows the user to float effortlessly on the surface.

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The tank is designed to reduce external sensory input to the brain, including light, sound, and temperature changes, allowing the participant to enter a state of deep relaxation. The aim is to allow the participant’s mind to focus inward, providing a respite from the constant stimuli of the outside world.

Floatation Therapy and Stress Reduction

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of floatation therapy on stress and anxiety. A study conducted in 2018 by Kjellgren and his colleagues involved a group of 50 participants with stress-related pain who underwent 12 floatation sessions over seven weeks. The results showed significant decreases in pain, stress, anxiety, and depression, along with improvements in sleep quality and overall mood.

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The mechanism behind these effects is yet to be fully understood. However, it is postulated that the profound relaxation achieved during a floatation session may help "reset" the body’s habitual reaction to stress.

Flotation Therapy and Physical Pain Treatment

Apart from its mental health benefits, floatation therapy might also be helpful in managing physical pain. This therapy’s deep relaxation state can ease muscle tension and improve blood circulation, which can, in turn, alleviate chronic pain conditions.

In a 2016 study by Jonsson and Kjellgren, a group of patients with whiplash-associated disorders reported a decrease in their pain levels and an increase in their quality of life after a series of floatation therapy sessions. These findings suggest that floatation therapy could be a potential treatment option for patients suffering from chronic pain.

Flotation Therapy and PTSD

Now, onto the main topic of discussion – can sensory deprivation tanks be used as a complementary treatment for PTSD? Some basic research and individual case studies suggest a potential benefit.

During a floatation session, participants are removed from sensory input, allowing them to enter into a deep state of relaxation. This may help reduce symptoms of PTSD like anxiety, hyperarousal, and sleep disturbances.

A pilot study conducted in 2018 involving a group of participants with PTSD showed promising results. After 12 sessions of floatation therapy, the participants reported a significant reduction in their PTSD symptom severity.

Summary: A Promising Complementary Treatment

While current research on the use of floatation therapy for PTSD is relatively limited, the available studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that it may be a beneficial complementary treatment. It could help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, which are commonly associated with PTSD, and may also provide relief from physical pain.

Moreover, the effects of floatation therapy appear to be long-lasting. This, combined with the fact that it is a non-invasive and drug-free therapy, makes it a promising treatment option for individuals suffering from PTSD. Of course, more extensive research studies are warranted in this field to confirm these effects and understand the underlying mechanisms.

However, it is important for anyone interested in floatation therapy, particularly those with PTSD, to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. Individual needs and responses can vary, and it’s essential to consider these factors when seeking treatment options. As research continues to evolve, we can hope to gain a clearer understanding of the benefits and potential uses of floatation therapy in mental health treatment.

The Process and Effects of Floatation Therapy

Floatation therapy, sometimes referred to as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), involves a simple yet profound process. The participant lies in a float tank, filled with about a foot of water saturated with Epsom salts, creating an effortless floating environment. The tank is completely dark and silent, effectively isolating the individual from environmental stimulation.

This complete sensory deprivation allows the participant’s mind to shift focus from the outside world, which is often filled with stress triggers, towards the inside world of self-awareness and relaxation. During the float session, the brain enters into a deeply relaxed state, similar to the state achieved during deep meditation.

The effects of this therapy are quite remarkable. Participants reported feeling a deep sense of calm and relaxation during and post float. Regular float sessions could result in reduced levels of stress, anxiety, and even depression. The deprivation of environmental stimuli seems to help reset the brain’s stress response system, making it less reactive to stress triggers in the long run.

Physically, floatation therapy can relieve muscle tension and improve blood circulation. The high concentration of Epsom salts in the water can help alleviate muscle and joint pains, providing relief for chronic pain conditions.

Application of Floatation Therapy in PTSD Treatment

The positive effects of floatation therapy on mental health disorders like stress and anxiety make it a promising complementary treatment for PTSD. PTSD symptoms often include hyperarousal, stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, all of which could potentially be alleviated through regular floatation therapy sessions.

In a 2018 pilot study, a group of PTSD sufferers underwent 12 sessions of floatation therapy. The participants completed the therapy with significant reductions in their PTSD symptom severity. This suggests that removing environmental stimulation and entering a deep state of relaxation can indeed help manage PTSD symptoms.

A control group, without any floatation rest, did not report the same improvements. This suggests that the benefits are specific to the float therapy and not just a result of time passing or other factors.

Conclusion: Floatation Therapy as a Complementary PTSD Treatment

Given the promising benefits of floatation therapy on mental health and its potential application for PTSD, it seems reasonable to consider it as a complementary treatment for PTSD. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these benefits, current evidence suggests that floatation therapy could provide relief for individuals suffering from this disorder.

The long-lasting effects of floatation therapy, especially its ability to reset the stress response system, make it a uniquely beneficial treatment option. The therapy is non-invasive, drug-free, and can be tailored to the individual’s needs, making it a flexible and accessible therapeutic approach.

However, it is vital for anyone considering floatation therapy to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. While the therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, individual responses can vary, and it is therefore essential to discuss it with a medical professional.

As we continue to explore and research the potential benefits of floatation therapy, we can hope to gain a clearer understanding of its role in mental health treatment. With the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders worldwide, effective and accessible treatment options like floatation therapy are more important than ever.