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What is Halotherapy and why so many people love it

Halotherapy (dry salt therapy) is where 99.99% Pure Grade Sodium Chloride (salt) is heated and then ground and crushed into very tiny microparticles. These dry aerosol microparticles of salt are then dispersed into the salt room, salt cave, or salt chamber during a typical session.

As an individual relaxes, the microparticles are inhaled. The particles penetrate deep into the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli to aid respiratory concerns, while the non-inhaled salt particles are absorbed by the body to combat skin conditions.

Most people are familiar with ‘wet’ salt therapy. Whether you’ve put salt in a bath, had a saline solution treatment, used a Nettie pot to clear your nasal passages, or gargled with saltwater, wet salt has its benefits. Dry salt is different and the drier the salt the better

Halotherapy is an alternative treatment that involves breathing salty air. Some claim that it can treat respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and allergies. The origins of halotherapy date back to the medieval era. But researchers only recently started studying its potential benefits.

Many clients find that with regular visits, they have few days of illness with less days of missed work or school. Clients with chronic conditions share that their doctors are pleased with the improvement that salt therapy makes when added to their treatment regimen. 

In some cases, this results in fewer medications and fewer trips to the doctor. Others share that salt’s anti-inflammatory nature aids in relief of aches and pains. Salt can do wonders for your mind, body, and soul. Until you experience the results for yourself, you won’t know how it can transform your life. Discover how salt therapy can help you.

People are exposed on a daily basis to pollutants, airborne diseases, bacteria, allergens and other irritating and harmful factors. Halotherapy is an excellent way to cleanse and detox the lungs as well as invigorate the whole body with increased lung capacity and oxygen intake. 

That is why SALT Chamber’s protocols include heating the salt prior to putting it into the salt chamber. Heat ensures that all moisture is evaporated so when it is crushed and ground into microparticles and inhaled, the salt particles can do their best job.

Halotherapy is an alternative treatment that involves breathing salty air. Some claim that it can treat respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and allergies.  We highly recommend speaking to your family physician before utilizing Halotherapy if you have any concerns or health issues.

Additional suggested benefits:

The History of Halotherapy

In the 12th century, the practice of visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons, or Speleotherapy, was common in Eastern Europe. In the 1800s, salt miners in Poland found a more modern version of what’s now Halotherapy. 

Despite working in mines all day, the Polish miners didn’t have any respiratory conditions and were unusually healthy. They weren’t likely to get the colds or coughs that were common among other people.‌

Research showed that the salty air the miners breathed helped keep their lungs free from infection and allergies. Over time, Eastern European salt mines or caves became popular tourist destinations. People from all over the world visited to inhale the salty air and ease their lung problems.

‌Salt therapy is usually done in salt rooms, which can be active or passive.

  • Active salt room. This room has a machine called a halogenerator, to which salt is added. The equipment breaks down the salt into tiny particles that circulate in the room.

  • ‌Passive salt room. This type of room does not have a machine to break down the salt. Instead, the room is filled with different types of salts, such as Himalayan salt. It looks like a salt cave, with controlled temperature and humidity.

The salt concentration in passive salt rooms is lower than in active salt rooms. These rooms are usually used for relaxation and meditation rather than halotherapy.

Salt therapy types

There are two types of Salt Therapy - They are the Dry & Wet Methods. You may be familiar with the wet method of halotherapy as some of the common uses involve:

  • gargling or drinking of salt water.

  • bathing in salt water or the use of Epsom salts

  • Nasal irrigation or the use of neti pots.

  • The use of Float tanks (flotation tanks filled with salt water).

With Halotherapy we use the dry method. This involves the use of a “man-made salt cave” that’s free of humidity. The temperature is cool, set to 68°F (20°C) or lower, and the sessions usually last for about 30 to 45 minutes.

A device called a halogenerator grinds salt into microscopic particles and releases them into the air of the room. Once inhaled, these salt particles are claimed to absorb irritants, including allergens and toxins, from the respiratory system. Advocates say this process breaks up mucus and reduces inflammation, resulting in clear airways.

The salt particles are said to have a similar effect on your skin by absorbing bacteria and other impurities responsible for many skin conditions. Salt is also said to produce negative ions. This theoretically causes your body to release more serotonin, one of the chemicals behind feelings of happiness. Many people use Himalayan salt lamps to get the benefits of negative ions at home. However, there’s no evidence that these lamps have any benefit other than adding ambience.

Halotherapy benefits adults and children alike, as well as athletes and animals. It is natural and safe and there are no side effects. A majority of people who visit salt rooms on a regular basis may find relief from a variety of respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, common cold, bronchitis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and more. 

Dry salt therapy is great for people who also have particular skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and recovering from cosmetic surgery. However, one does not need to have any conditions since dry salt therapy is very beneficial for overall general wellness by removing the toxicity from the respiratory system. 

For general respiratory hygiene, once or twice a week visiting your local salt therapy facility will enhance the lung capacity, boost the immune system, reduce stress, and aid better sleep. ‌Studies have found that halotherapy can have benefits for respiratory conditions, skin problems, and allergies. Salt is a natural and safe ingredient. It does not have any notable side effects. It is also:

  • Mucoactive, clearing up mucus from your airways

  • Antibacterial, helping prevent infections

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Immunity-boosting

  • Anti-allergic

‌Research has found that because of these properties, halotherapy can be used as part of the treatment of:

  • Lung infection

  • Throat infection or pharyngitis

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Smoking-related breathing problems

  • Respiratory allergies

  • Asthma

  • Bronchitis

  • Cold or cough

  • Pneumonia

  • Sinusitis

  • Rhinitis

  • Tonsillitis

  • Cystic fibrosis

Tiny salt particles used in halotherapy can also help repair your skin cells and protect your skin from aging and infection. This therapy can be used to treat:

  • Acne and rosacea

  • Skin allergies

  • Rash

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Dermatitis

  • Fungal infection such as onychomycosis

  • Wrinkles and signs of aging skin

Stress and difficulty sleeping tend to go hand in hand. When there’s a lot on your mind, you often find yourself restless, tossing and turning at night. Then throughout the day, it may be difficult to stay awake and tackle that full day of meetings or tasks. Break the vicious cycle with salt therapy and take some time for yourself.  

The origins of halotherapy date back to the medieval era. But researchers only recently started studying its potential benefits.

In a 2007 study people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) had fewer symptoms and improved quality of life after halotherapy. Halotherapy triggers anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic responses in people with bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, according to 2014 research

While more research needs to be done - Some have said that Halotherapy is a good way to treat asthma. However - Please discuss your desires to use Halotherapy with your physician prior to treatment if you have this condition as there is also a chance it could temporarily worsen your symptoms.

Halotherapy is a complementary therapy and it is used to work with any medications you’re currently on. We advise you to let your doctor know you want to try this approach. Please do not stop any medications without discussing it with your doctor.

According to a 2008 study, inhaling a 3 percent saline solution is a safe and effective treatment for infants with bronchiolitis. However, there’s no standardization and more studies need to be done.

Salt therapy is 100-percent natural, drug-free, and safe. It is often combined with other medical treatments and prescriptions (often reducing the amount of medication prescribed in treatment), but it also acts as a stand-alone therapy for a variety of conditions.

Are there Risks involved with Halotherapy?

Halotherapy can have some side effects. You may have coughing and more mucus secretion because your nasal passages are clearing out. Rarely, you may notice skin irritation or conjunctivitis, or pink eye.

Talk to your doctor before trying halotherapy if you suffer from any of the below listed conditions. Your Doctor can help you decide whether halotherapy is a good fit for you based on your medical history and condition. Make sure you follow up with them about any new symptoms you have after trying it.

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Tuberculosis

  • Heart problems

  • Respiratory failure

  • Blood disorders like anemia, hemophilia, or clotting

  • Infectious diseases

  • Fever

  • Open wounds

  • Malignant diseases such as cancer

  • Claustrophobia

While eating or ingesting too much salt can be bad for your body, breathing it in does not affect your heart, stomach or kidneys, as exposure during salt therapy is limited to your respiratory system. 

Even then, the concentration of pharmaceutical grade salt that you breathe in during salt therapy is very low (between .5 and 10 milligrams per cubic meter — less than a tea spoon). Because of salt’s natural anti bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to clear passageways and break down mucous, it has only healing affects when taken into the body this way.

Is There an Age Limit?

No, halotherapy holds benefits for children and adults of all ages! With younger children lower salt concentration is used.

Halotherapy is currently being offered through our providers in Pittsburgh @ Harmonic Egg Wellness, New Jersey @ Abundant Healing NJ, & Wisconsin @ Balance on Buffalo