Float Therapy

Hello yogis, I’m Myrrh, a naturopathic healer in San Antonio, TX. Because regular floating has so many health benefits, I think it’s about time we have a blog post highlighting our wonderful sensory deprivation float tanks.

I remember the very first time I floated, it took a while to get used to being in the tank. Once I got over my initial nerves and excitement, I was in a gentle trance for what must have been a good while. I found this to be an incredible meditation tool, and it is something I always recommend to clients who have a hard time getting into that meditative state. I could hear my heartbeat and hungry tummy sounds. While that could have been a little distracting, instead it reminded me of my deep connection to and gratitude for my body. When the hour was up, the sound and oscillation of the filter startled me a bit, bringing me back to reality. I had to wait a moment for my muscle function to return since the tank had temporarily turned my limbs to jello. I experienced a blissful afterglow that lasted the rest of the day.

Here at Transcend, our tanks use 1100 lbs of epsom salts to allow the body to float effortlessly. This is because all that salt has changed the density of the water. The anti gravity creates a feeling of weightlessness and serenity. Not only does the salt make you float, it also provides quite the detox -so don’t forget to drink plenty of water! Many people are magnesium deficient and don’t even know it. Simply laying in the mineral rich float tank, exposes the body to highly concentrated magnesium sulfate which absorbs into the skin correcting deficiency and improving the quality of hair, skin, and nails. It is also believed that the salt provides an energetic cleanse for the aura as well, sloughing off anything that does not belong.

You may be wondering why we call it sensory deprivation. The goal is to be totally relaxed and allow our sense organs to shut off for a bit. Turning off the light is optional but with the tank pitch black, the eyes may release any strain. We provide ear plugs to help cancel out anything that gets past our soundproof float rooms so your ears can rest as well. Some prefer to wear a swimsuit (which is totally fine!) but we recommend floating nude and free of jewelry or anything else that you’d feel on your body. Our tanks are even regulated at body temperature to keep from noticing the salt water on your skin. This is all in effort to deprive our sensory organs of any stimulation, creating a state of total relaxation.

As more people learn about float therapy, it seems it’s ability to reduce pain is most sought after. People are delighted to learn that they can relax for an hour and find that their pain has lessened. Regular floating is a good option for chronic pain management for those suffering from things like arthritis or fibromyalgia. This is thanks to the effect of reducing inflammation while increasing blood circulation. I have heard many heartwarming stories of relief experienced during and following float therapy. One client even explained to me how being in the tank with her body and mind completely at ease, allowed her to actually pinpoint where her pain was coming from.

In my humble opinion, I find the meditative qualities to be the most exciting of all that the floats have to offer. However, there are just so many potential benefits of floating. Lowering cortisol and other stress hormone levels will give the sympathetic nervous system a break while activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This can result in a boost to immune system functioning. From digestive health to fatigue and stress reduction, floating regularly can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life. You may even find yourself more comfortable meditating or motivated creatively.

Whatever your reason for floating is, we always have a safe space here for you to practice self care. Please consider Trancend Health Spa for your next float!

Cold Plunge

Have you ever planned to wake up early and get a start on the day but then when the alarm goes off the body will not cooperate? We all want our body to follow the command of our mind and to be mentally strong enough to push our body. But in these comfortable modern times, does the body or the mind get the specific stress it needs to evolve towards a healthy mind and body? The stoic philosopher Seneca believed in training the body and mind at the start of every year by jumping into extremely cold water and staying mentally strong while reaping the benefits of cold water on the body. He once said “The body should be treated more rigorously, so that it may not be disobedient to the mind.”

Now we aren't saying you should treat your body rigorously; we already do that enough with everyday life, training and then slouching on the couch when we get home. We see cold water emergence as a way to restore the body and studies have come out to back that observation. We will dive into those benefits and studies after some facts about hydrotherapy history!

Cold water immersion isn't a new trendy thing to do, but an ancient practice. The benefits of cold and ice were first realized thousands of years ago when the Egyptians treated inflammation and injuries with isolated cold application. In fact, papyrus scrolls have been found documenting the application of ice on a number of patients.

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, also prescribed cold baths and bathing in spring water to ‘allay lassitude’ for many of his sick patients.

The Romans built bathhouses where health-conscious citizens would sit in a hot room for as long as it took to sweat then dive into a frigidarium- an ice-cold swimming pool.

A 2014 article on the physical benefits of hydrotherapy goes deep into all the scientific benefits and results of other studies and you can spend all day going into rabbit holes of reading studies and reports. A link to that specific article will be listed below.

Not only does cold water immersion aid your body but there is also proof it can aid your mind! The Department of Radiation Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine proved that exposure to cold activates the sympathetic nervous system and increases the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline and to increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain. Additionally, due to the high density of cold receptors in the skin, a cold shower is expected to send an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from peripheral nerve endings to the brain, which results in an antidepressant effect.

A quick online search will get you to the same information we can but what isn't in all those studies are the personal accounts of those who have benefited from hydrotherapy.

Personal benefits reported are almost endless..

Massage in San Antonio, TX

When was the last time you got a massage? Did you know that in addition to feeling amazing, regular sessions with a massage therapist also have many potential health benefits?

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage. This is because there are many different goals. For example, Swedish massage is more gentle using long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize your body. Deep tissue on the other hand, uses more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries. Every therapist and every massage -even with the same therapist- will be different.

This therapeutic service is so much more than just passively lying down while someone touches your muscles. I find it important to note that any massage involves an energetic exchange- not only from the therapist to you, but also from you to them. This unseen exchange is a transfer of emotion, intent, and compassion that can only be measured by experiencing it. A massage therapist’s intent can completely change how it’s received and felt by the recipient. The therapist aims to connect with the client during a massage in order to listen to the body and the signals it sends. When the therapist is completely in tune with the client, intuition tells them very clearly where to massage, how long and how deep. If the therapist has their “heart” in the massage, the result is much more profound and more healing. As the client your only job is to be clear about what you do/don’t want and have an open heart to receive.

Allow yourself to ask the therapist questions about themself, the way they work and styles they specialize in to ensure you’re comfortable with them and feel a level of trust. This should also bring about confidence that you’ll get the most out of your massage. This is also an optimal time to mention any injuries or areas you’d like to focus on. You should inform the therapist of any allergies or even essential oils that you don't like.

I’m sure we’re all aware the occasional massage can add some relaxation to our lives, but what could happen if you added this therapy to your regular self care routine? There are varying ideas of how often one should get a massage as every body has different needs. I recommend first establishing a relationship with a massage therapist you trust so that they can learn your body. The therapist should then be able to gauge how often your body needs work and recommend a schedule for you.

Okay, enough background information, let’s get into the good stuff. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it can directly impact emotional, mental, and physical wellness, making it an ideal therapy for anyone and everyone.

The long term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. Regular massage can relieve not only stress, but also the conditions it causes like tension headaches or anxiety. This regular practice can even ease depression and it’s symptoms.

Pain can negatively affect the quality of a person’s life and even impede recovery from illness or injury. Massage can be an effective therapy for chronic pain management by moderating inflammation, improving blood flow, and reducing tissue stiffness.

Elite and recreational athletes alike can benefit from massage as it increases range of motion, reduces muscle tension, enhances exercise performance, and prevents injuries. Medical research indicates this therapy can help boost immune system strength by increasing the activity level of the body’s natural “killer T cells”, which kill off viruses. Research suggests regular massages can lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Last but certainly not least, massage therapy can improve your quality of sleep.

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call or go online to book your next massage at Transcend!