The Point Zero Center in Abu Dhabi offers an incredibly unique range of treatments that are primarily aimed at helping people find balance, harmony and stability in their day-to-day lives.
Recently opened opposite Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Khalifa City A, the Point Zero Floatation Center has a rather unique selling point, and the clue is in the name. Unlike other medi-spas in the capital, Point Zero offers floatation therapy.
Let’s start at the beginning. The birth of floatation therapy is largely attributed to one John C Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuro-psychiatrist, who, in 1954, invented the ‘isolation tank’ in order to test the effects of sensory deprivation. Almost 60 years later and the lightproof, soundproof tanks are used for meditation and relaxation all over the world.
Dr Asma, a specialist in ayurvedic and holistic medicine at Point Zero, tells us the tanks contain ten inches of water that is saturated with a combination of magnesium and sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt, resulting in water that is saltier than the Dead Sea. ‘Four out of ten people have a deficiency of magnesium in their body, so when you lie in the water, the first effect is that magnesium is absorbed through the skin,’ she adds.
The temperature of the water is the same as that of the human body and the buoyancy resulting from the salination of the water results in an environment in which the level of gravity is practically zero. Michael Hutchinson, author of The Book of Floating, blames gravity for the majority of human health problems, such as bad backs, painful joints and muscular tension. As one of his seven theories for ‘why floating works’, the Antigravity Explanation suggests that by freeing our brain and bones from the evil confines of gravity energy is liberated and the areas of the brain that deal with enhanced awareness of internal states are freed. Good stuff.
There can be no doubt that bobbing about with precious little external stimuli (you can choose to float in darkness and silence, or to have subtle lighting and soft music playing) is going to be more relaxing than sitting hunched in front of your computer at work. ‘This is the time when you go into your theta waves,’ Dr Asma explains. Back to Michael Hutchinson, his Brain Wave Explanation points to the releasing of these slower theta brain waves as being the goal. Theta waves are most commonly present during light sleep for a few precious moments before slipping into deep sleep, and during intense meditation – and it is these little beauties that carry all the creativity and serenity. But it can take years of practice to learn how to produce theta waves during meditation. Floaters, on the other hand, can access their theta waves faster according to Dr Asma: ‘Four, five, maybe six sessions – as you go on increasing your sessions, your theta waves increase.’
But the benefits of floatation therapy are not only in the mind. With weightlessness comes a relaxation of muscles, which can go a long way to helping relieve persistent and chronic pain. Furthermore, the sulphate in the water helps to remove infections of the skin that can cause psoriasis, eczema and other conditions. There is no fear of catching any skin conditions from the tanks at Point Zero, however. After every float, the water in the tanks is drained, cleaned, filtered, disinfected, purified and checked to ensure its pH level is maintained. The tanks themselves are also thoroughly cleaned after every use ensuring a sterile environment for each new customer.
Not only does the Center have a number of floatation suites, with all the facilities and amenities you could require, but it offers a range of other therapies that complement floatation such as massage (including excellent trigger point therapy for gents only), Dorn technique which realigns joints and, of course, ayurveda.
Floatation sessions last for one hour and cost Dhs350 for a single session in a float cabin. Point Zero Floatation Centre, Khalifa City A, Villa 3 12th street. www.pointzerofloatation.com (02 445 5775).
What’s your damage?
Some common ailments floatation therapy is believed to help with:
• Arthritis
• Athletic performance
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Back pain
• Chronic pain and fatigue
• Diabetes
• Fertility
• Focus
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Jet lag
• Psoriasis
• Stress relief
• Weight loss
