Portland Float Center Owner Describes Physical and Mental Benefits of Sensory Deprivation
Specialists in the Pacific Northwest report that magnesium-rich water therapy aids sleep, reduces joint pain, and helps patients manage anxiety.
By John Ferrari ·
Dana Highfill, who has practiced massage therapy for 17 years, operates Float North in Northeast Portland. She states that the majority of her clients seek the service to alleviate physical discomfort or mental stress. Highfill explains that the therapy targets both the body and the nervous system.
The procedure involves submerging a person in a tank filled with skin-temperature water containing nearly 1,000 pounds of magnesium. The high density of the solution prevents the body from sinking. Sessions usually extend beyond one hour and take place in a dark, soundproof environment.
Highfill describes the physical effects as a suspension of gravity. She notes that joints open up and inflammation decreases when the body is fully supported. Regarding mental health, she said, "You have reduced stimulation to your nervous system. You can go from fight or flight, which most of us live in, to a rest and repair state."
Nia Linbravo, a women's basketball referee who also works in project management, turned to the therapy after suffering from a herniated disk and insomnia. She referees games four to five nights per week and previously served as a juvenile probation officer. Linbravo said her demanding schedule made relaxation difficult.
"It was hard to relax," Linbravo said. After consulting with her doctor, who recommended the treatment as a strategy for managing depression and anxiety, she began regular sessions. She described the sensation of weightlessness as a release that allows her to reflect and calm her mind.
Linbravo added, "I think it's the weightlessness and the feeling of the water supporting me, and I'm literally just letting go. Being in the floating tank, it is a space for me to just talk to myself and reflect on what's happening." She said the experience has been helpful for her condition.
Highfill addresses concerns about the confined space by providing specific dimensions. The single-person tank measures eight feet long and four feet wide. The interior ceiling height is seven feet, and the water depth is approximately 10 inches.
