What is Halotherapy?
Halotherapy, also known as dry salt therapy, is a holistic approach that mimics the microclimate of a salt cave. Dry salt particles are dispersed into an enclosed environment (room, bed, booth, cabin) by a Halogenerator. Salt absorbs and removes the allergens, toxins and foreign substances in your lungs and sinuses. Salt also reduces inflammation and opens airway passages making it easier to breath. Halotherapy is a holistic, drug free, natural therapy to promote better breathing, healthier skin, sounder sleep, improved physical fitness and endurance and overall wellness.
Is there research to support Halotherapy?
Yes, Halotherapy is backed by 50 years of science. Most research has been done in Europe where the treatment originated. Halotherapy has been well researched in Russia and Eastern Europe. Most of the research has been conducted by Dr. A. V. Chervinskaya, the head of Clinical Research Respiratory Center in St. Petersburg, Russia. She works in the field of pulmonology and rehabilitation medicine and has published more than two hundred articles on this topic. Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article on the efficacy of saline salt therapy in cystic fibrosis. They found that long term saline salt treatment had a positive impact on lung function and reduced pulmonary exacerbations. In addition, they found no negative side effects associated with the therapy.
How does Halotherapy work?
Pure pharmaceutical grade salt is pulverized into tiny micro particles by a halogenerator and then dispersed into a room, bed, booth or cabin. While relaxing, customers simply breathe. The salt opens the airways, reduces inflammation in the lungs and sinuses and loosens the mucus.
Salt has the following properties:
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Mucolytic effects: loosens excessive mucus and speeds up mucociliary transport
- Removes pathogen agents (airborne pollen)
- Reduces IgE level (immune system oversensitivity)
Negative ions counterbalance the many positive ions we pick up from electronic devices, neutralizing the atmosphere which stabilizes mood, decreases stress and prepares the body for healing.
What are the conditions that Halotherapy treats?
Halotherapy can help to detox your lungs and skin.
Lung Conditions:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Bronchial infections
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- COPD
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Wheezing
- Ear infections
- Laryngitis and pharyngitis
- Sore throat and tonsillitis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hay fever
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia
- Rhinitis
- Sinus inflammation/infection
- Sinusitis
- Smoker’s cough
Skin Conditions:
- Rosacea
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Aging skin
- Acne
- Dermatitis
- Dry, itchy, flaky skin
- Skin inflammation
When should Halotherapy be avoided?
As Halotherapy is known as a safe and natural treatment, clients who have any serious health conditions or women who are pregnant should always consult their doctor first. Halotherapy is not recommended for people who have the following conditions:
- Infections associated with a fever
- Contagious diseases
- Some forms of cancer (please consult your doctor)
- Tuberculosis
- Cardiac disease
- Acute respiratory disease
- Severe hypertension
- Intoxication
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are minimal and transient. Some folks may experience a tickle in their throat or sinuses, some sinus drainage as the mucus breaks up. Others may experience minor skin irritation, or skin that tingles/itches as circulation is brought to the surface. For those who experience a slight cough, this is a sign that the salt therapy is effectively moving the impurities through the cilia. Some patients with hypersensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation. Some patients experience a mild tickle in the throat, which will be alleviated. If a patient has an excess of mucus in the upper airway, it may break up and drain following a treatment.
How safe is Halotherapy?
Halotherapy is 100% natural, safe and drug-free. It provides effective long-term relief for various respiratory and skin conditions. It can be used as complementary or augment therapy to pharmaceuticals as a means to help maintain and control disease. It can be used alone for stress reduction and improvement of conditions.
Should I stop using traditional medications during Halotherapy sessions?
No. Halotherapy is complementary treatment with the goal of decreasing and controlling respiratory and skin conditions… it has an additive effect and should be used as adjunct therapy to what your doctor has prescribed. As always, consult with a doctor if you have any concerns about a condition where you are under a physician’s care.
Is Halotherapy safe for children?
Yes. Halotherapy is a completely drug-free treatment for children of all ages. European clinical research suggests that dry salt aerosol therapy has a higher degree of efficacy in children. The effectiveness of Halotherapy is directly observable and highly recommended for pediatric respiratory and skin conditions. Depending on the age and treatment goals, session times and concentration levels may be adjusted. Please consult your pediatrician.
What kind of salt is used for Halotherapy?
Pure pharmaceutical grade salt (99.99% pure sodium chloride). It contains no added minerals or other potential contaminants or fillers. It comes from a natural source but naturally processed to remove all of its impure elements. It’s the same salt that hospitals in Eastern Europe use in their salt rooms as well as the same salt used in Halotherapy research. We do not recommend Himalayan or sea salt as it is not stripped of all the impurities. There could be dirt, clay or some type of debris that could be harmful to the lungs. Himalayan salt can be healthy for the digestive system but not for the respiratory system.
How many sessions/times a week are necessary?
Frequency of therapy depends on the type and severity of the client’s condition as well as their wellness goals. For respiratory issues such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, sinusitis, or allergies it is best to “front load” by coming in 2-3 times the first 7-10 days to saturate the airway, then back down to once or twice a week to find what maintenance looks like for you. Guests with a more severely compromised respiratory tract/condition will want to start Halotherapy at a lower concentration over a longer session time. Most skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dry itchy skin may require a higher concentration and more frequent visits. Chronic conditions require sustained use over time for best results.
*Please see WHA Treatment Guidelines
What is the treatment duration per session?
45 minutes in a salt cave or room and about 15-20 minutes for a bed, booth, or cabin.
What results can clients/guests expect?
Many patients who have asthma, allergies and other bronchial issues have seen some amazing results in a short period of time. Breathing becomes deeper, sinus passages are less inflamed and start to drain and skin conditions are improved dramatically with frequent and sustained use. This in turn results in a better quality of life. We aren’t making medical claims about Halotherapy but after receiving treatments people report respiratory issues and lung function have vastly improved. In addition, those who have severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or acne have also had incredible improvements in the health of their skin.
Are health improvements noticeable?
With Halotherapy, a compromised bronchia is improved as inflammation and mucus levels are restored or eliminated. Breathing becomes easier and the quality and function of breathing improves. Halotherapy facilitates the normalization of other bodily systems and fortifies the immune system. Guests report not needing their rescue inhaler as often and the need for higher doses of pharmaceuticals is reduced. Additionally, guests report sleeping better and the duration and severity of allergy symptoms, colds and flu is lessened. Many will notice the benefits of Halotherapy after even one treatment, however, as with any chronic condition, frequent and sustained use may be necessary for maximum benefit.
What will I experience when I sit in the salt room?
Salt rooms are designed so that guests can relax in a soothing and tranquil environment. One can sit back and experience the Halotherapy treatment in a very peaceful and stress free setting. People can listen to music or nap. Each Halotherapy room or cave is different with varying themes depending on the décor and design that is used. Himalayan salt is often used to cover the floor of the cave or room. Additionally, the room’s temperature, humidity, pressure and salt particle concentration are maintained. The lighting is dim and relaxing music is often played. Guests can close their eyes and meditate or just relax. Sessions in a room/cave generally last for 45 minutes and guests may start to taste a bit of salt on their lips.
Are there any advantages to treatment in a piece of equipment versus a cave/room?
Yes, there are many advantages of an enclosed piece of equipment versus a room/cave. Treatment times are shorter which often allows for more opportunities to fit into our busy schedules, therefore clients/guests will come in more often which leads to better results.
Will I see, smell or taste anything during a treatment?
Halotherapy is a relaxing, peaceful and rejuvenating experience. While in a room or piece of Halotherapy equipment (bed, booth, cabin) you are breathing the finely milled salt particles into your respiratory system and particles settle and are absorbed by the skin. You will not see or smell the salt (if you see the salt in the air, the particles may be too large to reach the small airways). You should, however, start to taste the salt on your lips and see it start to collect on the inside of the enclosure/room.
What do you wear during a session?
Wear comfortable clothing (most people just wear street clothes). The salt air will not harm your clothing, nor leave a noticeable residue. If you are doing Halotherapy for skin conditions, we recommend that you wear shorts and T shirt, to expose as much of the affected area as possible.
Can I have a massage or other wellness session in the Salt Cave?
Yes. Massage, yoga, facials, meditation and other Holistic modalities complement Halotherapy nicely. Halotherapy purifies the air and allows for stress reduction and deeper breathing. These types of services are only for special events or if someone reserves the entire cave.
Why do you have salt lining the walls and on the floor in the room?
The salt on the walls and the floor is applied to be aesthetically pleasing and soothing. The halogenerator will disperse pharmaceutical dry salt aerosol for a curative microclimate and to provide treatment.
How does Halotherapy help with stress?
Salt is negatively charged and has the natural ability to attract and bind positively charged particles to it. The neutralizing forces of salt can cancel out positive charged and harmful electromagnetic vibrations in our environment (electrosmog), as well as in our body. Hence, Halotherapy has de-stressing, relaxing effects; it is beneficial for calming the nervous system. The whole experience is generally very relaxing and helps to center the mind, body and spirit.