Muscle pain, sleep disorder, anxiety, migraines, cognitive dysfunction and more are all symptoms experienced by sufferers of the debilitating rheumatic condition, fibromyalgia. Translated from the original Greek, fibromyalgia means “muscle and connective tissue pain”, however both physical and psychological symptoms are experienced by those with the condition, an estimated 2-8% of the population.

Doctors are yet to understand the causes of fibromyalgia. Some medical practitioners insist the condition is not a disease but a physical response to factors such as stress and depression, whereas others point to a genetic or neurogenic origin. Still, others consider the condition a somatic symptom disorder.

Accordingly, treatment options vary from case to case. Some patients experience a significant reduction in pain through a sustained exercise regime, whereas others have better results with cognitive behavioural therapy or pharmaceutical intervention.

However, a study presented at a 2012 floatation summit in Sweden put forth “compelling evidence” that floatation therapy or Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), can have a “beneficial impact” on sufferers of fibromyalgia. The study, conducted by Dr Roderick Borrie, Dr Tamara Russell and Dr Stefan Schneider, put 81 patients through three floatation sessions and compared pre-and-post treatment factors such as quality of sleep, pain, anxiety, and more.

The study found that floatation REST provided “significant temporary reductions in pain, muscle tension, stress, anxiety and sadness, as well as significant increases in relaxation, feelings of well-being, energy and ease of movement. There was also a significant improvement in the quality of sleep.”

Following these encouraging results, the Fibromyalgia Floatation Project (FFP) was established to document the efficacy of flotation REST as a treatment for fibromyalgia. The project works with patients and floatation centres to provide floatation REST and document and analyse the results.

Remember, it will take a few sessions to feel a significant improvement, so it is widely recommended to have at least three floatation therapy sessions before decide if it works for you or not. Check out Float Culture’s “Introductory 3 Floats Special”