Salt Therapy
(Halotherapy)
What is salt therapy (halotherapy)?
Halotherapy uses dry aerosolized microparticles of salt to alleviate symptoms of respiratory and skin conditions. Because the salt is ground to a microscopic consistency, it can penetrate deeply into the lungs and skin.
How does salt therapy (halotherapy) work?
Salt binds to mucous and draws the water out of it, effectively drying up congestion without irritating membranes. It also acts as an antiseptic by creating an unfavorable (dry) environment for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Because salt is administered in a microdust form, it can alleviate mucous and infection deep within the lungs as well as within nasal passages, throat, and sinuses.
What is it like to have a session of salt therapy (halotherapy)?
Patients may receive salt therapy either seated or lying on a massage table. Micro fine salt is gently blown from a salt grinder through a funnel that directs the salt to the desired area of the body. The patient relaxes while breathing the salt or directing it on a problematic skin area for 15-60 minutes depending on preference. Patients usually do not smell the salt or notice anything different about the air around them during treatment. Sometimes they can taste salt after several minutes of treatment. The experience is similar to standing next to the ocean and breathing in salty sea air. Although salt is being sprayed in the air, it is a very fine and small amount, so residual salt on clothes after sessions are over will often go unnoticed unless patients wear very dark clothing.
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What conditions can be supported with salt therapy (halotherapy)?
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Allergies
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Asthma
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Bronchitis
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Colds
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COPD
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Coughing
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Cystic fibrosis
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Eczema
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Hay fever
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Psoriasis
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Sinusitis
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Smoker's cough
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Psoriasis
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Wound healing
Can salt therapy (halotherapy) be combined with other treatments?
Yes, salt therapy can be administered during or after acupuncture, massage, cupping or laser therapy at HPS.
How many sessions are needed?
People with transient infections (colds, allergies, flu symptoms, ear infections, etc.) will likely show a marked improvement after 1-8 15-minute sessions. Patients with chronic skin and respiratory conditions (asthma, bronchitis, psoriasis, COPD, etc.) show greatest benefit if 5-10 15-minute sessions are conducted as close together as possible. Salt therapy is most effective when sessions are taken twice weekly or more frequently.
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How was salt therapy (halotherapy) discovered?
In the 19th century, Polish academics noticed salt miners did not have severe respiratory ailments as other types of miners, most notably coal miners. This prompted a study of salt miners which found that not only were they healthier than their mining colleagues, but they were also healthier than the general public. This was observed again during World War II when many Eastern European salt mines were used as bomb shelters, sometimes housing people for days on end. When they came out of the salt caves, many refugees experienced easier breathing, especially those with asthma. In the 1960s salt therapy gained popularity in Europe and it has since spread around the world.