Float Spa in Sneads Ferry helps clients treat PTSD, other symptoms

Float Spa in Sneads Ferry helps clients treat PTSD, other symptoms

....but why? Beth's Story.

..."but why did you get into flotation therapy? What made you open this place?"

Beth here! I get this question A LOT which makes perfect sense, because very few people in this area have seen, experienced, or heard of flotation therapy. That said, I felt I should share the story. 

Years ago, on an airplane, I read an article about sensory deprivation - explaining how people crawl into these tanks that are black and dark on the inside and float in water. In full disclosure, my initial reaction was, "Ok...these people are [insert expletive of your choice here] crazy." To be fair, I've been a swimmer my whole life and was in water rescue for a long time as well. From the sounds of it, being in an enclosed black space with water was just not my cup of tea. I mentioned it to a few people, and never really thought about it after that. 

Fast forward a year or so. I went to Virginia Beach to visit my sister and had breakfast with some "framily" who are outrageously close to my heart. Over a mound of french toast, my brother, who was on the SEAL teams then, mentioned that he had experienced this new kind of therapy and he and his [incredible] bride had brought it to the VA Beach area...and that I must try it. 

He started explaining what it was and I immediately said, "Oh, no! I've read about that. Not my cup of tea. Sorry, I'm sure it will be a massive success and I love you, but I'm not doin' it." To which he basically responded, "Yes. You are." There was no room for argument! 

That's the story of how I found myself in a float tank for the first time...and, of course, I'd dragged my sister along for the ride. To my surprise, I arrived at their center and the Pods were MUCH larger and friendlier looking than the ones about which I'd read. White, giant eggs with soft glowing lights inside that I had complete control over. Ok...I can handle this. 

The gal at the shop explained that I could leave the tank lid open if I preferred, which I did for the first 10 minutes. I'm in no way claustrophobic, but I *am* a bit of a control freak. The only thing I was worried about was not being able to get the lid back open....a totally irrational fear, I know, but it was a thing at the time. 

I was working in real estate at the time and constantly "plugged in" to my phone or computer or talking to people or racing all over the area to show homes. Unplugging was exactly what I needed, I just didn't know it. I emerged from the tank 60 minutes later feeling sharp of mind, but completely relaxed. I ran errands afterwards for a SuperBowl party and found myself whispering questions at shop attendants, because the volume of my voice was suddenly a little startling. I didn't feel lazy, but nothing felt particularly urgent. You know that little tug of stress that says "You only have 3 more hours until the party starts! You still have to cook, and prep, and bathe, etc, etc, etc" ....it just wasn't there. I calmly moved throughout the rest of my day and slept like a rock that night. 

Long story made MUCH shorter, I came home and researched the benefits of flotation - namely relief from physical pain issues of a wide variety and mental health benefits particularly related to stress conditions, PTSD, and TBI....and I knew I had to bring this to Eastern NC. That was about 3 1/2 years ago. It has been a wild journey full of lenders and health department regulations and fun with finding locations, but I'm still just as in love with the power of this therapy and cannot wait to watch how it changes lives. 

Thank you all, immensely, for loving it along with me! 

A Mission Bigger than Me ....The Float Spa SF

Good morning, float friends!

I took over the blog for a minute this morning, because I wanted to share a few thoughts that have been spinning around my brain lately. As many of you know, this has been a dream project for me - mostly because I understand how flotation can help all of us in our day to day lives. This is something of a mission statement, I suppose, but far too long to be a formal one. I hope you'll come and experience floating for yourself. 

The image above most simply describes my personal mission in life. I hope that I am all of those things - to my family, to my friends, to people I meet in passing...

I hope that our center will be a physical extension of that. I hope that it's a place of peace and serenity, but also of energy and inspiration.  I hope, if you come in with the weight of the world on your shoulders, that you leave feeling lighter and loved. 

I hope that you understand that there's a place for you there. The real you....the most authentic version. I hope that if you don't know what that is, we can help you discover it. This center, for me, must be a place of acceptance.

If you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, if you've worn out your body, if you've pushed your brain too far, if you're exhausted - physically, mentally, or both, if you wake every day to fight demons in your brain that are trying to drag you down - I hope you find us. 

I hope you know you can share your story - whatever your story is - and feel it's safe here with us. I hope you know that there's space in my heart for you. 

I hope we can empower you to find your voice and step into your purpose. 

I hope, that if you're a creative, you unlock ideas and visions in your mind that you haven't given your brain the space to see before.

I hope, if you're a healer of people - a doctor, a nurse, a surgeon, that your Pod time allows you to wash the exhaustion and sad stories away and re-energizes your mind and your hands to continue your work.

I hope, that if you're a responder - a police officer, a firefighter...a warrior against our America's enemies, you find healing and hope and strength to continue to run towards the danger and do what most of us can't or won't. I hope you feel our constant gratitude for your willingness to carry that weight. 

I hope, if you're a parent, you find this a place of self-care and true rest so that you can continue to approach parenthood with love and peace and discipline and patience....and that 20,000th rendition of your kiddo/s's favorite song.

I hope, if you're a caregiver, our center provides a place for YOU so that you may heal and recover and revitalize yourself along your journey. You deserve to be thought of, and, you cannot fill the cups of others if your own cup is empty. I hope you know we have open arms for hugging and Kleenex for tears and time to listen if you need it. 

I hope, if you've suffered with pain for ages, you can find relief here.

I hope, no matter what your walk or your path or your need, that you'll come into the shop excited for your session and leave feeling lighter and inspired. 

I hope that you'll bring us your sore muscles and back pain and head back out into the world feeling rested and recovered. 

I hope that, if you're anxious or feeling down or battling something in your personal life, the peaceful time in the Pod helps clear your brain, allows you peace, and helps you find your answers. 

I hope that you find it a place of  recovery. 

I hope to see you all very soon and to have the chance to meet every single one of you. 

Please feel free to share this message with whomever you think might need to find us. We're here for the journey. 

All my love,

Beth

Jens Pulver's First Float

If you're an MMA fan, you know (or have at least heard of) Jens. This video that was taken after his first flotation experience is one of our favorites as we feel it does a great job of capturing the initial post-float feeling. You feel great, but you can't really pinpoint why. 

We also love the low volume of his voice. That's very common post-float, too! 

Check it out! 

7 Physical Benefits of Floating

While there is a massive impact on mental health that comes from flotation therapy, many initially test it out for it's physical benefits. If you're an athlete, you train rigorously for your job, you suffer from chronic pain, or you just turned your ankle stepping off the curb, you may want to read on! 

7 Physical Benefits of Floating:

1. Accelerated Healing:

Healing injuries takes time and often takes us away from the things we love for longer than we'd like. Floating speeds up the process of muscle and injury recovery due to a few reasons. Partly, it's because of the high level of magnesium sulfate in the tank. It's a completely weightless environment which allows your body the full rest necessary to heal. Additionally, the Pod promotes lowered stress levels and healthy blood circulation. Floating after an injury, heavy training session, marathon, triathlon, or strenuous work activity will get you back in action faster!

2. Pain Relief from Arthritis and Other Chronic Pain Conditions

Reclining into over 1000 pounds of Epsom Salt, lowered stress hormones, and a boost of endorphins works wonders for sweet relief from chronic pain. Floaters that suffer from these conditions often report benefits after just one float for hours, days, or weeks, but explain that the benefits are longer lasting with consistent sessions. Gravity is hard on our joints and muscles and allowing your body to rest in a fully weightless environment is heaven.

3. Relief from Fatigue                                                                                          

By now, you'll start to see the trend that fully resting your body in a stress-free, weightless environment can aid in recovery from so many struggles. We're all "on" for much more time than we used to be - whether we're online or on the job. Burnout is absolutely possible. Flotation lowers stress levels, cortisol, ACTH, and lactic acid. It also increases the natural production of dopamine (the happy hormone) and other endorphins, allowing both your brain and your body to reset their natural energy. It doesn't hurt that an hour of sleep in the Pod is equivalent to about 4 in your bed. 

4. Lower Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Floating improves cardiovascular efficiency and the reduction of stress hormones and gravity allow your body to experience a fully restful state. 

5. Improve Magnesium Deficiency

Depleted magnesium resources in your body can be the cause of so many symptoms: poor heart health, weakness, muscle cramps, tremors, nausea, high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, dizziness, poor memory, fatigue, and confusion - just to name a few. Soaking for an hour in an environment that's incredible rich in magnesium sulfate can help relieve these symptoms and balance your system. Magnesium is absorbed through the skin - giving your body the boost in resources that it's lacking.

6. Improve Digestive Function

Oh the things reducing stress and lots of magnesium can do for your body!

 7. Great for Hair, Skin, and Nails! 

"Post Float Glow" is very real. Magnesium sulfate isn't at all drying and can reduce the appearance of cellulite and increase the natural luster of your hair and skin.