This is the last in our Spring Cleansing and Self Care series and we’re chatting to Amanda Reid from local business Central Coast Float in Blackwall.
Tell us a little bit about the philosophy behind your business:
We opened our wellness centre almost 5 years ago. We were intrigued with floating after hearing Joe Rogan talk repeatedly about the mental and physical benefits and declaring that he thinks float tanks are one of the most incredible pieces of equipment for self-help and introspective thought that you could ever find.
Our mission is to provide our community with affordable relief from physical and mental stress, while providing a relaxation experience like no other.
What kind of cleansing programs do you offer? What is your main focus?
Our unique spa offers Floatation Therapy, Infrared Sauna, and Massage Therapy.
Our main focus is floatation therapy. With just one floatation therapy session you will experience deep physical and mental relaxation. Floating in Epsom Salt reduces stress, lifts mood, and gives a boost to the nervous and muscular-skeletal system. While you float, your breathing, heart rate, and brain waves slow down, inducing a peaceful, meditative state of mind on the verge of being awake and asleep, while maintaining a level of alertness.
Our float tanks contain 1000 litres of water and 600kg of food grade Epsom Salt. The water is heated to skin temperature (35°C) and is denser than the dead sea, meaning floating is effortless.
A normal floatation therapy session lasts 1hr. For the first 10 min, relaxing music is played, then it slowly starts to fade out and all you can hear is your heartbeat and your breathing. You have the option to keep the music playing for the duration of your float.
The water and air temperature in the pod are neutral to skin temperature so you can barely feel the water against your skin. Most people prefer to float in total darkness and silence, creating a sensation that is often described as floating in space.
Why do people typically choose to take your programs?
Our customers come to us for a broad range of reasons including:
• Pain relief
• Relieve muscular aches and pain
• Relief from stress and anxiety
• PTSD
• Skin disorder including eczema and psoriasis
• Migraines
• Aid fertility treatment
• Sensory disorder and ADHD
• Sleep
What are the health benefits associated with saunas?
Saunas provides the ultimate detox, boost your immune system and improve circulation. Sauna sessions promote good health by aiding detoxification, reducing inflammation, improving the appearance of your skin and increasing endurance and performance.
During a session, your heart rate increases pumping fresh blood and oxygen to every cell in your body. The increased blood flow to your muscles removes lactic acid, helping to reduce pain, inflammation and post work out soreness. Sweating promotes the excretion of toxins including heavy metals. When exposed to heat stress, the body releases heat shock proteins that increase immune response, reduce free radicals, promote muscle recovery, help prevent neurological degenerative diseases and increase our ability to cope with stress and anxiety.
What’s the difference between infrared and traditional saunas?
Traditional saunas heat the air, which in turn heats your body, meaning the temperature of the air is typically above 80 degrees. Most people don’t like the burning sensation in their airways, which often results in a very short sauna session.
Infrared saunas produce radiant heat like the sun and directly heat the body. The air temperature is much lower meaning you can comfortably stay in a sauna for longer periods, maximising detoxification and production of heat shock proteins and heat stress.
Do you have any interesting case studies you can share with us?
Float case study:
Peter started floating with us 4 years ago, 3 months after we first opened. At the time, he was on a wait list for a laminectomy – a surgery that involves removing a bone in his back to relieve a pinched nerve that caused debilitating pain and restriction in movement.
During Peter’s first visit he described the cocktail of medication taken on a daily basis to manage pain. One drug to relieve pain, another for the constipation caused by the pain, another for high blood pressure from the stress. After his first float, Peter felt instant relief from the mental and physical stress while floated. Peter was so impressed with the benefits he came back the very next day for another 1hr session.
He floated three times that first week and by week two had reduced the amount of pain medication he needed to take to function like a normal person. Peter’s quality of sleep improved and his body was less stiff and tense. Peter continued to float 3 times a week up to having his surgery and was able reduce his dependency on pain medication, only needing to take it after prolonged periods of standing or walking.
Sauna case study:
Sarah started having trouble sleeping and waking up feeling tired. She also noticed that she was experiencing headaches, numbness and poor memory. A blood test revealed that Sarah had toxic levels of mercury in her blood. As part of her treatment, she was prescribed 3 sauna sessions per week for 8 weeks. Sarah reported feeling surprisingly energised for hours after her first 30-minute morning sauna session. The next session was in the evening and that night Sarah had a great sleep and woke up the following morning feeling well rested. At week 3, she increased her sessions to 45 minutes and by week 8 she was up to 1hr sessions. The longer Sarah spent in the sauna the better she felt afterwards and the longer the benefits lasted. After 8 weeks, a second blood test revealed that her mercury levels had reduced by 35%.
What are 6 things that people can do for their health, at home?
• Get 7 hours sleep a night to allow the body and brain to detox and recover.
• Drink plenty of filtered water to help your body cleanse itself.
• Stretch daily to boost lymphatic drainage.
• Eat fresh whole foods and reduce intake or processed foods and sugar
• Breathe through your nose – this cleanses and purifies the air, but also allows your body to absorb 16 times more energy from the air you breathe in.
• Use a body brush to boost lymphatic drainage.
• Reduce chemicals in the home including harsh cleaning products.
Central Coast Float is located at 42 Wateloo Avenue, Blackwall. For more information, head to www.centralcoastfloat.com.au
Georgia Lienemann
