Float Away Anxiety
A Keynote Presentation by Maui
Resident Dr. Justin Feinstein.
Dr. Abby Morris, MD
Medical Director
International Association of Fire Fighters
Center of Excellence
"I am the medical director of a stand-alone, 64-bed, mental health center that treats only first responders. We have treated just under 3000 members of the International Association of Fire Fighters for disorders such as PTSD, mood disorders, anxiety and addiction. One very successful intervention we have employed at the IAFF Center of Excellence is Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy). To date, we have had several hundred patients use Float Therapy as part of their overall treatment regimen at the Center with impressive results. The medical and clinical teams have been pleased with the positive feedback we have received from our patients about the grounding effects and the overall good outcomes from a relatively benign procedure without known side effects and very low costs.
Given my experience at the IAFF Center of Excellence and from what I have heard about the recent traumatic exposures of the many first responders and civilians in Maui, it is my professional opinion that both of these populations could likely benefit from the non-invasive and non-chemical effects of Float Therapy if this amazing opportunity could be brought to Hawaii. There is much more I could say about the benefits of this therapeutic option for my patients, but I wanted to offer my brief and earnest support for Dr. Justin Feinstein and what he is hoping to provide for his community."
Understanding Clinical Float Therapy
Healing Waters
Float therapy can help disconnect the nervous system from life's constant stream of stimulation, and in the process help individuals reconnect to themselves - especially those who suffer from stress, trauma, anxiety and PTSD, helping to quiet an overactive sympathetic nervous system that leaves the patient in a perpetual state of fight-or-flight.
Research studies (see below) have found that float therapy reflexively reduces signs of stress and hyperarousal, allowing an overstimulated and shocked nervous system to enter a state of equilibrium. Circulating cortisol levels are reduced, blood pressure drops by 10 to 15 points, respiration is lowered, high-frequency heart rate variability improves, and brain activity dramatically slows down to 1-2 cycles a second.
FLOATING provides a behind-the-scenes look into the science. Check out the part at 1:21:30 to see Dr. Feinstein's floatation research in action!
Helping Maui Return to Calm.
For many, the fires are still burning.
What is Floatation-REST?
(Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy)
During Floatation-REST you effortlessly float on a bed of water that has been saturated with over a thousand pounds of Epsom salt and heated to skin temperature. The pool is built in a specially-calibrated environment that minimizes stimulation on the human nervous system including signals from visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, thermal, tactile, vestibular, gravitational and proprioceptive sensory channels.
This safe and natural therapy has the potential to revolutionize pain management, stress reduction, and anxiety relief without the need to use highly addictive medications like benzodiazepines and opioids.
Easing the biggest concerns
Modern Float Pool Designs
"The open-air design completely removes all feelings of claustrophobia. I cannot overemphasize the importance of having an open pool for anxious populations. Without it many of our patients would have refused to even try floating."
Dr. Justin Feinstein
The emergency float pools we are building for the people of Maui are NOT the small enclosed tanks that you may have heard of in the past. In fact, what we're building is the opposite - a large open-air pool for complete peace of mind. Each private room has its own shower (for rinsing off) and an intricate system for cleaning and sanitizing the pool after each use.
OPEN-AIR DESIGN
We are building our emergency float pool facility with infrared lighting controls. At any point during the float, you can simply wave your hand to turn the blue LED lights on and off. It's entirely up to you and your comfort level.
INFRARED LIGHT CONTROLS
Click the button to access an extensive repository of published peer-reviewed papers related to Clinical Floatation.
Below you will find several float studies that are specifically related to PTSD and the reduction of stress and hyperarousal.
We hope that this will provide a substantive case for how Float Therapy could positively impact the mental health of Maui's residents.
Digging Deeper
The Published Research