Have you ever heard of salt room therapy? For those who have not, it’s a form of therapy that involves breathing in air that’s infused with salt particles.
The process of therapy is also known as halotherapy. Halotherapy is a holistic treatment that harnesses the therapeutic properties of salt to promote health and well-being. So, for this blog post, you may read them interchangeably They are one and the same.
What is Salt Room Therapy?
Salt room therapy uses a unique environment, called a “halotherapy chamber,” that mimics the microclimate of natural salt mines. As mentioned above, these rooms are made of Himalayan salt bricks and filled with salt aerosols that are released into the air.
Our first experience with salt therapy was our salt lamp. A salt lamp can be a form of dry salt therapy. You experience the benefits of breathing in salt, without actually sitting in an environment of salt, like salt caves.
The first experience we had with wet salt therapy was in the salt room on the Virgin Voyages cruise. We knew immediately that we were benefiting from the experience. Since I (shannon) have asthma, I was intrigued by the fact that it helps with improving breathing and lung capacity. Anything that has respiratory health benefits, I am all about!
Salt room therapy involves sitting in this environment and breathing in the salty air. Studies indicate that the air is loaded with negative ions, which can have a positive impact on your health and well-being. Salt ions add additional benefits to the human body.
History of Halotherapy
Originating from the salt mines of Eastern Europe, it involves the inhalation of microparticles of salt. The effects of halotherapy are known to include anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In a typical halotherapy session, individuals sit in a room or salt cave infused with salt. It’s as if they were receiving halotherapy sessions without even knowing it.
Feliks Boczkowski, a Polish medical practitioner, was the first to acknowledge the potential health advantages of salt mines back in 1843. He observed that salt miners demonstrated significantly lower instances of pulmonary diseases in comparison to other people. Boczkowski theorized that the beneficial health effects seen among the miners could be attributed to the air within the salt caves, which was heavily infused with saline particles.
The Health Benefits of Salt Room Therapy
Salt room therapy is believed to offer several health benefits, including improved respiratory and skin health, reduced inflammation, and stress relief. Salt room therapy is also said to promote relaxation by positively impacting your mood and reducing anxiety. Furthermore, the air is believed to improve blood flow and oxygen uptake, which can lead to better sleep quality, and increased energy levels.
Salt benefits are not new. Think about it. How many times have you been told to gargle water and table salt when you have a sore throat? There are a lot of benefits packed into tiny salt particles. Let’s break down the benefits of salt therapy and microscopic salt particles on your health, in greater detail.
Respiratory Health
A salt therapy room can provide relief for various respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and allergies. The dry salt microscopic particles have an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory system, which helps to reduce inflammation and congestion.
Additionally, the negatively charged ions help to improve the flow of oxygen to the lungs, promoting better breathing. Studies have shown that regular salt room therapy sessions can lead to significant improvements in lung function and fewer respiratory symptoms for those suffering from cystic fibrosis.
Skin Health
Salt room therapy can benefit the skin in many ways. The dry salt particles act as a natural exfoliant, removing dead skin cells and promoting healthy skin regeneration. The negatively charged ions also help to improve the skin’s overall texture and appearance, making it smoother and more vibrant. Additionally, salt room therapy can help to alleviate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of salt particles can reduce redness, itching, and irritation in the skin.
Mental Health
Salt room therapy can have a positive impact on mental health by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. The negative ions present in the salt particles release serotonin, a hormone that helps to improve mood and reduce anxiety. Additionally, the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of the salt room can create a safe space for relaxation and meditation. Those who suffer from mental disorders may find this conducive to a calming process. Regular salt room therapy sessions can promote better sleep, reduce stress levels, and improve overall mental well-being.
Immune System Boost
Salt room therapy can help boost your immune system by providing a natural way to cleanse your lungs and respiratory system. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of salt can help to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, reducing the chances of illness. Additionally, the negatively charged ions present in salt particles can boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells.
It’s a Natural Treatment
Salt room therapy is a natural, safe, and drug-free alternative treatment to traditional medical treatments. Unlike pharmaceuticals, salt room therapy has no side effects and can be used in conjunction with other treatments. Additionally, salt room therapy is non-invasive and painless, making it an appealing option for those who prefer natural treatments. Many have most recently benefitted from a form of salt therapy to help with sinus infections.
Who Can Benefit from Salt Room Therapy?
Salt room therapy is ideal for people who suffer from respiratory issues, allergies, and skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It is also beneficial for people who experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and fatigue.
People who work in dusty or polluted environments can also benefit from salt room therapy, as it can help detoxify the lungs and prevent lung infections. Salt room therapy is safe for most people, including children, seniors, and pregnant women, but people with severe respiratory conditions should consult with a doctor before starting this therapy. Though it is beneficial for the respiratory tract, we are not doctors and do not know your situation.
What to Expect During Salt Room Therapy
During salt room therapy, you can expect to sit comfortably in a chair or recliner. They usually have zero-gravity chairs to induce a more relaxing experience. A salt room session entails breathing in the salty air for 20 to 45 minutes. If you are going to a salt cave, the environment is typically cool, and you might need to bring a blanket or wear a sweater to stay warm.
You may also be in an infrared sauna for your salt therapy session. Of course, in this environment, it would be hot and humid.
Some therapy centers offer guided meditations or relaxing music to enhance the relaxation aspect of the therapy. Some people might experience a tingling sensation in their nose or throat, but this is a harmless side effect of the salt air.
Where to Find Salt Room Therapy
Salt room therapy can be found at specialized wellness centers, spas, and alternative medicine clinics. Many yoga studios have also started to offer salt therapy rooms to enhance their meditation and yoga classes. You can find salt room therapy centers by doing an online search or asking for referrals from friends and family.
Many health food stores offer Himalayan salt as a wellness alternative to regular salt to ingest and for skin care. You can very well ask someone there if they know of any salt rooms.
Salt Therapy at Home
As we mentioned earlier, we provide ourselves with salt therapy in our home with salt lamps. Here are our favorites, and why.
Himalayan Salt Lamp
We use this lamp every single day. It is the first thing we turn on in the morning when Betty White barks to wake us for her breakfast. Himalayan salt lamps have a soothing glow. Ours has a dimmable switch.
The salt lamp boasts to provide purification, and reduction of electromagnetic radiation, emits negative ions that can neutralize positive ions, often produced by electronics. Some people leave theirs on as it may benefit their sleep, but we turn ours off at night, so we can have a dark room for sleeping.
Himalayan Salt Lamp Bowl with Massage Balls
Oh my! This is our most recent addition to our salt therapy and it is a game-changer. We found this amazing product while visiting a salt cave in Lenoir, North Carolina, Wolf Moon. It is also offered on Amazon.
This works the same way a traditional salt lamp does, by a bulb, and has a dimmable switch. The light warms the salt balls. You can then remove the salt balls and use them as a massage tool.
We often roll them under our feet or roll on each other’s backs. You can also alleviate tense muscles or use your own body weight to relieve muscle knots and tension. It also is an aesthetic tool for meditation practice at home.
Get to the Ocean
We have talked before about how the salty ocean helped us heal, physically and mentally. We sold everything and moved to the coast. If you live near the ocean, or within driving distance, get in or by the ocean on a regular basis.
We are fortunate enough to live by the ocean, so we wake up and smell the salt air every single day. We can feel the strong rejuvenating properties to start our mornings. Grab a couple of lounge chairs and experience a quality of life that includes the benefits of salt.
Speaking of the ocean and saltwater… while it has been said for years that getting into the ocean is good for those with open wounds, let’s clarify. The ocean has trace elements of pollution in it.
For best results, use pharmaceutical-grade salt or pure mineral salts and water for open wound care. Talk with your doctor about this practice prior to giving it a try.
Experience the Benefits of Salt Room Therapy or Halotherapy
Salt room therapy, as we have experienced, is a great wellness tool for the mind and body. Since it is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries, it isn’t a new fad or trend. It has recently regained popularity as people have started to focus more on their wellness and mindfulness and we are here for it.
So, whether you have physical ailments that include breathing issues, lung problems, or struggle during allergy seasons, it would be a good idea to try salt therapy for its potential benefits.
If you’re looking for a new way to enhance your health and well-being, salt room therapy could be worth a try.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Salt therapy is generally considered safe for most individuals, but some people may experience mild side effects such as a slight cough, minor tightness in the chest, or runny nose, due to the salt particles. However, these symptoms usually subside after the treatment ends.
Those with severe chronic respiratory issues, infections with a fever, contagious diseases, or certain types of cancer should avoid this treatment. Pregnant women should also consult with their healthcare provider before undergoing salt room therapy.
The benefits of salt therapy for humans are well-documented, but its effects on pets are not as studied. Some reports suggest that pets with certain respiratory conditions might benefit from this therapy. It’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian before starting any new treatment for a pet.
