What is Halotherapy?
Halotherapy, also known as dry Salt Therapy, is a holistic approach that mimics the microclimate of a salt cave. Dry salt air is dispersed into an enclosed environment (room, bed, booth, cabin) through a unique process generated by a halogenerator. This type of treatment is a safe and effective way of using salt’s natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and super absorbent properties to provide relief for respiratory and skin conditions.
When you heat salt, it becomes super dry, and kinetically more active. This heated and dry pure sodium chloride is then crushed into micro-sized particles and dispersed into the air in an enclosed environment. When micro-particles of dry salt is inhaled into the respiratory system, it does its job by absorbing and removing allergens, toxins and foreign substances in your lungs and throughout your respiratory tract. Salt also reduces any inflammation and opens airway passages making it easier to breathe.
Get Salty & Lit also provides Infrared Therapy and we recommend that you research this modality as well. Click here to go to our Infrared Sauna Therapy web page. Our HaloIR private booths have the ability to give clients both treatments in a single session.
History
Halotherapy was originally “discovered” in the 1800s in Eastern Europe when doctors realized that salt miners didn’t suffer nearly as often from respiratory and skin conditions as others in the communities. These doctors then began to “prescribe” visits to the salt mines and at some point the mines even carved out separate areas for this original halotherapy.
Later entrepreneurs built machines to replicate this environment and modern halotherapy was born. Halotherapy Solutions’ equipment, which is used at Get Salty & Lit, was designed in Estonia, one of the original locations for this early halotherapy.
Old carriage used to transport salt in Salina Turda, Turda Salt Mine.
Due to this history, much of the research on halotherapy has taken place in Eastern Europe and is now starting to get more attention in other areas of the world, such as the United States and Australia. Below you will find information on the key benefits of Halotherapy.
Halotherapy Benefits
Everyone’s body is different and will therefore ultimately obtain results in it’s own time frame. However, here is a general overview of the variety of things Halotherapy may help with.
Sinus & Ear
Infections
Halotherapy’s ability to reduce edema in passages and cavities not immediately accessible to oral therapy make it the perfect augment solution for dealing with ear and sinus infections. Halotherapy is perfectly safe and comfortable for children as well as adults, and can bring not only relief in the short term, but lasting resistance to recurrence of such infections.
In the case of ear infections, aerosolized particles are able to penetrate deep into the internal passages of the ear, reducing inflammation, edema, and bacteria in the Eustachian tubes. Relief of edema from swollen tissues widens passages, improving drainage and increasing aeration behind the tympanic membrane, reducing infection in the pockets where bacteria often builds due to collected fluid.
Relief from sinus infections is also achieved through deep penetrating dry salt particles. The negative charge of dry aerosol particles causes them to be literally drawn into the essentially positively charged environment of inflamed and infected sinus cavities.
Coughs,
Cold & Flu
Sessions with Halotherapy can have an immediate remedial effect on the symptoms of colds and flu. Breathing becomes easier as inhaled salt aerosol naturally absorbs edema from swollen air passages and thins mucus secretions so that drainage is easier. The dispersal system of microscopic salt particles used in this therapy allows the salt aerosol to be taken deep into these cavities, bringing the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action to the root of the problem.
Relief from the irritation of sticky mucus secretions and debris, as well as the antispasmodic effect produce by calming negative particles, calms and quiets coughs. Additionally, the salt may help to provide a deeper cleansing of the sinus cavities and respiratory tract inherent in this type of treatment reduces the toxic load on the immune system, regardless of external exposure.
A series of Halotherapy sessions not only helps to relieve and heal a current cold or flu episode, but increases resistance to new infections for months in the future.
Asthma,
COPD,
Smoker’s Cough
Halotherapy consistently demonstrates a dramatic positive effect on symptoms of asthma and obstructive bronchial conditions caused by inflammation and harmful debris in the respiratory system. Naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory sodium chloride particles are carried into the deepest recesses of the bronchial system due to the unique aerosol dispersal system and the microscopic size of the particles.
Over a series of sessions, inhalation of dry salt aerosol will bring about the improvement of mucociliary clearance and decrease of bronchial inflammation, the decrease or elimination of pathogenic microorganisms, and a reduction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
This translates into better lung function, fewer spasmodic attacks, and clearer air passages with less use of drugs to control symptoms. Even chronic deep cough due to tobacco use, nicknamed “Smoker’s Cough,” shows marked improvement with continued treatment.
Relief is achieved quickly as mucus secretions become thinner and are able to drain properly, removing trapped pockets of debris and bacteria.
Microscopic salt particles also stimulate the immune system, increasing the body’s innate ability to resist further infection as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties reduce the current episode. This can significantly reduce the use of antibiotics in chronic sufferers of ear and sinus infections.
Allergies
Halotherapy presents a unique adjunct treatment option for allergy sufferers that provides relief naturally and fast. Salt is a well known decongestant; it reduces inflammation widening of the airway passages, restoring the normal transport of mucous secretion and frees blockages in the bronchi and bronchioles leading to rapid elimination of the residual tar and foreign allergens.
Improved drainage allows for reduction in contaminants that may trigger or prolong allergic episodes. Additionally, salt’s ability to absorb edema from swollen mucosa linings in the sinuses and respiratory tract opens airways to bring about quick relief of symptoms. Long term studies with allergy patients in Russia who reported remarkable improvement over a period of ten years have led to Halotherapy being recognized as a certified allergy treatment by the Russian Ministry of Health and other associations in Europe.
Cystic Fibrosis
Halotherapy has proven to be an invaluable resource for sufferers of cystic fibrosis. The hydrophilic and mucokinetic action of inhaled salt particles thins unnaturally thick and sticky mucus, clearing accumulated secretions and unclogging passages in the bronchi and bronchiole.
Other benefits are the absorption of edema from the mucosa lining of the airways and the reduction of inflammation in the respiratory tract and sinuses. The extremely viscous nature of mucus secretions in patients with this disease often causes a buildup of bacteria.
Halotherapy naturally helps to combat this problem, and can potentially reduce the person’s reliance on antibiotics to control frequent infections. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on the effects of Dry Salt Therapy on cystic fibrosis patients, “The results of our trial were revolutionary. We saw a sustained improvement in lung function, a major reduction in the number of lung flare-ups, a reduced need for antibiotics to treat flare-ups, and fewer days off school or work due to illness.”
Dermatology
Halotherapy has a beneficial influence to the integument system (skin protective layer) and to hair. Halotherapy provides PH normalization and induces reparative and regenerative processes in derma, it increases skin rigidity and stimulates hair growth. The dry salt impacts the skin microcirculation and assists cellular membrane activity.
The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Halotherapy help to improve skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
Halotherapy Treatment Room Options
Halo-Lounge
Clients relax in a private lounge room to enjoy a 45-minute halotherapy treatment. We have 2 different room set ups.
- One has 4 reclining chairs.
- The other has 2 reclining chairs and a table & chairs for activities. We have some games/toys for kids, but you are welcome to bring your own too.
Halo-IR Sauna
Clients relax in a private Far Infrared Sauna Booth to enjoy a 45-minute infrared sauna treatment with an optional halotherapy treatment during the first 25 minutes of the infrared treatment.
Things to Know for Your Visit
Please be free of ALL scented products prior to coming in.
This includes: essential oils, lotion, perfumes, colognes, smoking/vaping.
What to Wear and Bring
Get Salty & Lit has 2 choices of Haltotherapy sessions: Halotherapy and Halotherapy combined with Infrared Sauna. Each one requires different attire due to the various heat levels of each one. The recommendations are below. For descriptions of each treatment see our Pricing page.
Please be free of ALL scented products prior to coming in.
This includes: essential oils, lotion, perfumes, colognes, smoking/vaping.
Bring: water bottle is optional – if bringing a reusable water bottle we have a water station to fill it as needed. We do NOT allow refilling of disposable water bottles at our water station.
Attire: Anything that is comfortable to you*. We do offer blankets to keep you comfortable in this room temperature treatment.
*the salt does NOT harm clothing
Please be free of ALL scented products prior to coming in.
This includes: essential oils, lotion, perfumes, colognes, smoking/vaping.
Bring: water bottle – if bringing a reusable water bottle we have a water station to fill it as needed. We do NOT allow refilling of disposable water bottles at our water station.
Attire: Something with a lot of skin showing – a swimsuit or something similar. This is a hot sweaty treatment. We do ask that bottoms stay on during infrared sauna treatments.
*the salt does NOT harm clothing
After Your Session
Halotherapy
You may experience a runny nose or a slight cough. This is a sign that the salt therapy is effectively working. The body is loosening and releasing all the Mucus buildup.
Halotherapy combined with Infrared Therapy
After your visit you will want to shower within 1 hour of the end of your treatment. This is to get the toxins that you released through your sweat off your skin. After about an hour they start to absorb back into your body.
We have 2 showers on site and need to be booked. They are a $5 upcharge and included soaps, conditioner and towels.
You may also experience a runny nose or a slight cough. This is a sign that the salt therapy is effectively working. The body is loosening and releasing all the mucus buildup.
Arrival Times for Appointments
Please arrive 15-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment if it is your first visit of the scheduled treatment.
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment if you have already taken the scheduled treatment.
When to Avoid Halotherapy
Halotherapy should be avoided during the acute phase of any illness, including the list below. Contact your doctor before use if you are unsure if Halotherapy would be safe for you.
- infections accompanied by fever
- acute active tuberculosis
- cardiac insufficiency
- COPD in the third stage
- bleeding
- spitting of blood
- contagious ailments
- have use of an oxygen tank to aid breathing
- alcohol or drug intoxication
- unstable or uncontrolled hypertension
- acute stages of respiratory diseases.
Research & FAQ
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information.
Great places to find research and information about Halotherapy would be:
- The World Halotherapy Association – an independent organization run by Dr. Cindy Hollenbeck, who has extensive experience in respiratory diseases as well as natural remedies
- Global Wellness Institute, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower wellness worldwide by educating the public and private sectors about preventative health and wellness.
- Halotherapy Solutions news page
- HERE is clip from the Dr. Oz show discussing some of the key benefits of halotherapy as well.