The Golden State Warriors are the winners of the 2017 NBA playoffs. Stephen Curry, one of the team’s most popular players, helps help the team to victory. No doubt fans around the world are interested in everything the player does; however, many are unaware that Curry uses flotation therapy as a way to help his body recover from basketball season.
Curry isn’t the only athlete to use flotation therapy to recover. Tom Brady of the New England Patriot and countless other UFC fighters use sensory deprivation chambers as part of their training and recovery. An increasing number of professional athletes at all levels are now turning to this alternative wellness to help their bodies recover faster. Why does flotation therapy have such a significant impact on recovery times? Let’s take a look at the science behind it and how the sensory deprivation technique can help improve recovery time.
Physical Recovery with Flotation Therapy
Floatation therapy essentially combines two well-known recovery techniques, Epsom salt baths and meditation. For years, Epsom salt baths were used to heal the body of aches and pains, while meditation was used to heal the mind.
Floatation therapy magnifies the benefits of Epsom salt baths and meditation alike. When someone enters a flotation chamber or tank, their senses are deprived. Also known as sensory deprivation, because you are locked in an isolation tank or chamber that is free from outside distractions. This includes light and sound. This sensory deprivation makes it easier for a person to enter a meditative state.
The water used is in a floating tank that is filled with a thousand pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Only a few inches of water are used, making the salt concentration extremely high. The high concentration of salt allows the body to float effortlessly.
Athletes have been soaking in Epsom salts to relieve sore muscles and stiff joints for years. Floating in an isolation chamber only works to increase the effectiveness of this well-known technique, making it effortless with more benefits.
Recovery Benefits of Flotation Therapy
It has been established that flotation therapy aids in rapid recovery from sports injuries, aches and pains. The following are other benefits that flotation therapy provides for physical recovery:
-Reduces muscle fatigue
-Improves blood flow and circulation.
-Reduces stress causing cortisol levels
-Reduces inflammation
Even if you are not a professional athlete, your body can benefit from flotation therapy. Have you been in a car accident or suffered a work-related injury? If so, flotation therapy can be used to help speed up recovery time.
