Why Veterans Need to Float

The US has a Veterans Health epidemic that is out of control

Today is Memorial Day and my Facebook feed has been filled with pictures of US Service Members, some friends, killed in combat. Today is supposed to be a day to remember the fallen and not those left behind but unfortunately, those left behind are in dire need of help that can't wait until Veterans Day.

A few statistics to put this problem in perspective:

• 22 Veterans a day commit suicide.
• 20% of Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Veterans are at a drastically increased risk for homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence and more.

The support system that Veterans count on is broken

The VA (Department of Veteran's Affairs), primarily responsible for treating these veterans, has had well-publicized failures including:

• Wait-lists so long that Veterans literally died waiting to see a physician
• Chronic over-prescribing of powerful pharmaceutical drugs including anti-depressants, pain killers and more.
• Chronic under-funding and under-staffing

All of this has left Veterans looking for alternative ways to treat their illnesses, most destructively, but some have found hope in alternative therapies.

Vets are finding promising therapies outside the VA

Stories are surfacing every day about new ways Veterans have discovered to treat illnesses like PTSD, depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Some of the more notable studies include MDMA-assisted therapy, yoga, meditation and floating (also known as REST, Restricted Environment Stimulation Therapy, sensory deprivation or isolation).

Floating promises Vets a natural treatment for PTSD and more

Floating has exploded in popularity nationwide among all kinds of user groups. Veterans have caught the rising tide and are coming back with some pretty incredible stories.

Some Veterans are reporting reduced PTSD symptoms after just a few sessions in a float tank. Some have been able to replace prescription drugs with just a few float sessions per month. 

The complete lack of sensory input in the tank provides a deeply relaxing and meditative experience. Further, it provides an environment that allows for deep introspection and even realignment of emotional connection to trauma.

​Lots of Vets suffer physically, too and are finding relief in floating. The zero-gravity environment of the tank allows for spinal decompression, a major problem for Vets who carried 100+ pounds of gear around the desert for multiple tours. Magnesium sulfate from the Epsom salt also does wonders for aching and stiff joints, another common complaint among Vets.

We're putting our money where our mouth is for Vets

At Enlyten Lab, we believe in the promise this treatment holds for Veterans so much that we're putting our money where our mouth is. 

We're sponsoring a program that will make floating available to the 8,700 Veterans in Missoula County by sponsoring a rolling scholarship to provide a 3-month subscription to our services, 100 Veterans at a time.

Learn more about the program here.