Nearly 1,000 pounds of salt: How float tanks work

A herniated disk and chronic sleep issues led Nia Linbravo to try float therapy in Portland. Linbravo referees women’s basketball games four to five nights a week and also works in project management. She said the physical demands of her job made it hard to relax. After discussing the option with her doctor, she began using float tanks to manage depression and anxiety.

The therapy involves lying in a tank filled with water at skin temperature. The water holds nearly a thousand pounds of dissolved magnesium. This high concentration creates a dense solution that prevents the body from sinking. The water depth is typically around 10 inches. Sessions last at least one hour and can include blocking out all light and sound.

Dana Highfill has worked as a massage therapist for 17 years. She operates Float North in Northeast Portland. Highfill said most clients seek physical relief. She explained that the buoyancy feels like turning off gravity. The body is fully supported, which allows joints to open up and helps reduce inflammation.

Highfill noted that the environment also affects the nervous system. The reduced stimulation allows the body to shift from a fight or flight state to a rest and repair state. She said this process supports mental health care routines for many clients.

Linbravo described the sensation as a form of release. She credited the weightlessness with helping her calm her mind. She uses the space to talk to herself and reflect on her current situation. She said the experience has been helpful for her since she started.

Highfill addressed concerns about the size of the tanks. A single tank measures eight feet long, four feet wide, and has a ceiling height of seven feet. She said the space is not as confining as many people expect.