Salt Therapy FAQ
Please reach us at thesaltcavern@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
What is Salt Therapy?
Salt therapy, also called halotherapy, is a holistic method that reproduces the natural micro climate of a salt cave by dispersing saline aerosol in a high concentration in a room whose surfaces are covered with layers of salt. The dry salt aerosol in the room plays an important role in the relief of health problems, and is used for patients with respiratory problems and skin conditions.
How does salt therapy work?
Patients sit in the salt room for 45 minutes and breathe in the fine salt aerosol, which is transported to the smallest bronchi, or airway passages, in the lungs as well as to other parts of the respiratory tract such as the sinuses and nasal cavity. The salt particles act as an anti-bacterial agent, dissolving bacteria and pollutants lodged in the respiratory tract. These are then either coughed up by the patient or are expelled during the metabolic processes via the bloodstream. The treatment also reduces inflammation in the lungs, thins out mucus build-up, improves lung function and opens up breathing passages.
Which ailments can be treated by salt therapy?
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Hay Fever
- Ear Infection
- Breathlessness
- Chest Tightness
- Pneumonia After Acute Stage
- Bronchiectatic Disease
- Smoker’s Cough (Including Secondary Smoke)
- Cough with Viscous Sputum Discharging with Difficulties
- Dry, Paroxysmal Cough with Distant Rates
- Dry Rales (Mostly With Low Tone) Changing Its Localization During Auscultation
- Frequent Acute Disorders Of Respiratory Tract
- Pharyngitis
- Multi-chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
- Sinusitis / Sinus Inflammation
- Respiratory Infections
- Respiratory Allergies To Industrial And Household Pollutants
- Rhinitis
- Tonsillitis
- Eczema And More
How many sessions are recommended?
For people with colds, flu symptoms, ear infections or other temporary respiratory discomforts, 1 to 8 sessions can be very effective. For chronic respiratory and dermatological conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, allergies, psoriasis, etc., it is strongly recommended to complete 12 to 20 sessions of 45 minutes each, in as short a time period as is feasible. Salt room treatment is most effective when it is administered at least twice a week or more frequently. It is advisable to repeat the therapy 1 to 3 times per year to maintain the positive results. For recreational, relaxation and stress relieving purposes, sessions can be taken as many times as desired.
What results can patients expect?
Thousands of patients have been successfully treated by speleotherapy (treatment in natural salt caves) in Canada, Russia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Austria and Germany since the early 1900s. Clinical studies have also been conducted and the results demonstrate that after a series of treatments completed within a prescribed amount of time (twice a week), patients’ breathing became less labored, symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath were improved, and medical drug usage was decreased significantly.
Is salt therapy safe for children?
Salt therapy is not only safe for children, it is highly recommended. It is a 100% drug free, non-invasive and comfortable treatment with no side effects or potential health hazards. The treatment is suitable for children of any age (as young as 1 month old). Children, in fact, respond to the therapy even more quickly than do adults.
What should I wear to the treatment sessions?
Salt room therapy requires no special clothing; the salt will not damage your clothes or leave any noticeable residue. You may wear anything that you are comfortable with, as you will remain entirely clothed for the session. The only item that you add is shoe covers before entering. You may wear socks or be barefoot under the shoe covering. For children, we request that they come to sessions in clothing that is clean and free of dirt or mud, and clean socks, as the shoe coverings we provide may be too large to stay on their feet as they play in the salt room.
They say salt is bad for your health. Why is it good to breathe?
Over consumption of salt is linked to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, during salt therapy you are breathing the dry saline aerosol into your respiratory system, not ingesting it into your digestion tract. Furthermore, the amount of salt you are breathing in is so minimal that even if you were to eat that quantity, it would not pose a health risk.
Is there a risk of catching an infection from other clients in the salt room?
The microclimate of our salt room is 3 times cleaner than in a sterile surgery room in a hospital; therefore, it is nearly impossible to catch any infection or be affected by bacteria during the therapy. Salt is a natural anti-bacterial and it kills almost all bacteria on contact. In addition, our filtered ventilation system is constantly working to circulate the air in the salt room, drawing used air out and clean, filtered air in.
