Fibromyalgia is sometimes described as a silent disease, because people living with it stop talking about their experiences when they lose hope for a cure or relief. Affecting an estimated 2 percent of the general population and women 10 times more frequently than men, the disorder causes systemic musculoskeletal pain. The Fibromyalgia Flotation Project (FFP), an international study led by Dr. Rod Borrie, from Long Island, is investigating how sensory isolation floatation therapy can help people with this ailment. 

The treatment, which is offered in Westport at iFloat, a world-class center for stress reduction, suspends a person in a warm, Epsom salt solution in a room without light and almost no sound. The reduction in stimuli helps people reach slower brainwave states, calm the nervous system, reduce stress and alleviate physical pain. Floating in this highly concentrated Epsom salt also may increase the uptake of magnesium, which is poorly absorbed by the gut, but well-absorbed through the skin.

Initial FFP findings indicate that floatation therapy may dramatically reduce fibromyalgia pain by calming the nervous system and providing magnesium to patients that are deficient in this mineral. 

People may purchase sessions at iFloat or participate in the international study and receive discounted sessions. Location: 163 Main St., 2nd Flr., in Westport. For more information, call 203-226-7378 or visit iFloatSpa.net.