Float North operator details magnesium bath therapy for pain and anxiety relief

Alternative wellness practices are gaining traction among individuals seeking non-pharmaceutical methods for pain management and stress reduction. In Northeast Portland, float therapy has emerged as a specific service offered by local practitioners to address these health concerns.

The procedure requires clients to lie in a tub filled with skin-temperature water containing nearly a thousand pounds of dissolved magnesium. This high concentration of salt makes the solution dense enough to support the body, preventing the client from sinking. Sessions generally last at least one hour, during which participants may choose to eliminate all light and sound.

Dana Highfill, who operates Float North and has worked as a massage therapist for 17 years, stated that most clients arrive seeking some form of relief. She described the physical benefits as resulting from the sensation of being fully supported, which allows joints to open up and helps reduce inflammation. Highfill explained that the therapy supports mental health care routines by reducing stimulation to the nervous system, allowing the body to shift from a fight or flight state to a rest and repair state.

Nia Linbravo, a women’s basketball referee who works four to five nights a week, turned to float therapy after dealing with a herniated disk and sleeping difficulties. Linbravo also manages a project management role and has a history of working as a juvenile probation officer. She said the physical and mental demands of her schedule made it hard to relax. After consulting with her doctor, she began using float therapy to manage a diagnosis of depression and anxiety.

Linbravo described the experience as a form of release, noting that the weightlessness allowed her to let go of tension. She said the tank provides a space to reflect and calm her mind. Highfill addressed concerns about the physical constraints of the equipment, noting that single tanks measure eight feet long, four feet wide, and have a seven-foot ceiling. The water depth in these tanks is approximately 10 inches.