About Salt Therapy (Halotherapy)

About Salt Therapy (Halotherapy)

Salt therapy has been around since the beginning of time and has been used throughout history in all sorts of ways—as a common cooking ingredient, on snowy and icy roads, as a preservative, and even as currency in centuries past. Salt is one of the essential ingredients that constitute life. Salt has also been utilized in various therapeutic, healing and medicinal ways including saline solutions, nebulizers, skin scrubs, salt baths, Nettie pots, etc.…mostly known as “wet” salt therapy. In our modern society, thanks to technological innovations, another aspect of salt therapy has emerged where the main health benefit comes from the salt’s quality to absorb moisture. It is called Dry Salt Therapy and is also known as Halotherapy. 

Today, Halotherapy is being provided throughout Europe, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and other areas as a natural alternative and complementary way of improving general wellness, respiratory issues, skin conditions, detoxification, athletic performance and more. There are specific facilities and businesses located around the world that are solely focused on providing dry salt therapy. They are often referred to salt rooms, salt caves, salt grottos, and other names. There are all types of existing businesses now offering dry salt therapy such as Day Spas, Wellness Centers, Yoga Studios, Med Spas, Fitness Clubs, Chiropractors and Acupuncturists, and other health and wellness businesses and professionals. 

There are all types of existing businesses now offering dry salt therapy such as Day Spas, Wellness Centers, Yoga Studios, Med Spas, Fitness Clubs, Chiropractors and Acupuncturists, and other health and wellness businesses and professionals.

History of Salt Therapy (Halotherapy)

The amazing benefits of salt therapy (also known as ‘halotherapy’) first came to light in the mid-1800s when, Felix Bochkovsky, a health official in Poland made the observation that salt mine workers rarely suffered from any colds, respiratory ailments or lung diseases. Bochkovsky attributes this to the salt aerosol being inhaled on a daily basis. People with asthma, allergies, emphysema and other respiratory problems began heading to the salt mines, and speleotherapy (salt cave therapy) was born. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the dry sodium chloride aerosol help in treating ear infections and certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Although salt therapy is new to the U.S., it is frequently used in many countries of Eastern Europe. Today, modern technology allows us to bring the benefits of a salt mine to you. Salt therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free, chemical-free, all natural solution.

How does Salt Therapy work?

Dry pure grade sodium chloride is heated and then it is grinded and crushed into very tiny micro-particles in a machine called a halogenerator. These dry aerosol micro-particles of salt are then dispersed into the salt room during a typical session. As the person relaxes in the salt room the micro-particles are inhaled as well as land on the skin. The particles penetrate deep into the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli as well as into the deeper layers of the skin. 

Why does salt therapy work?

Salt therapy has three main characteristics: Dry salt is super absorbent, it is anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anit-microbial. Because the microscopic salt particles get deep into the respiratory system as well as into the skin, the dry salt absorbs all the excess mucous, allergens and foreign elements in the respiratory system, opens constricted airways and kills the spreading of bacteria and viruses. 

What type of salt is used?

Not all salts are created equal. Only pure-grade 99.99% sodium chloride is to be used the halogenerators which are the machines that crush and grind the salt into microscopic particles and disperse into the salt room. All of the clinical studies and research for halotherapy involve only using this pure grade sodium chloride. This salt comes from the earth and seas but goes through a process eliminating and removing all debris, containments and is not processed with any additives or caking agents like table salt. Other types of salts are often used as a décor element such as Himalayan salt, but only 99.99% pure grade sodium chloride is used in the halotherapy equipment. 

Is there research and evidence that salt therapy works?

Salt therapy has been researched and studied throughout the world and more studies are starting to be done here in the United States. Please go to http://salttherapyassociation.org/research-education/research-articles/ for more details