Salt Therapy, also known as Halotherapy, is an alternative treatment involving breathing air containing tiny salt particles. It is a dry salt therapy that utilizes a halo generator to grind and crush 99.99 Pure Grade Sodium Chloride (salt) into micronized particles. Halotherapy is said to have many health benefits including respiratory health, stress relief, skin conditions, and joint pain. It reduces inflammation, relieves arthritis pain, and clears sinuses, and more.
What does a typical Halotherapy session look like?
I visited a Salt Therapy Room (Salt Spa in St. Clair Shores, MI) with a bestie who was visiting from out of town. We chose this spa after another friend’s recommendation. I love all things holistic, relaxing, and pampering so I was intrigued.
After driving 45 minutes in a torrential downpour, my frazzled nerves were instantly soothed when I stepped through the threshold of the Salt Spa. I had entered through the back door and as I made my way down the rather long hall to the front waiting room a sense of calm settled over me.
When my friend arrived we were shown the changing room which was clean, and well lit and we each had a locker. We were given a cozy white robe and slippers to wear if we chose to do so (we did!) and then we were escorted to the salt room. We opted for the white zero-gravity chairs and made ourselves at home.
Our session was for 45 minutes and as promised, it was deeply relaxing even though we chatted throughout our treatment.
After we finished our session and changed our clothes, the rain had picked back up and we asked if it was ok to wait inside until it slowed down a little. The staff was so accommodating and thoughtful. We were offered us a cup of herbal tea and cookies which was the perfect ending. (When I was researching salt spas, I noticed that not all spas offer robes and other services so be sure to check out their website before booking if that is important to you)
What are the health benefits of Halotherapy?
Much like other alternative practices, there is not much research done to support most health claims. There is documentation that in the1800’s a Polish physician Dr Feliks Boczkowski observed that men working in the salt mines at Wieliczka suffered fewer respiratory problems than the general population. He attributed this to the salt aerosols being inhaled by the miners in the underground environment. Dr. Boczkowski founded and opened the first salt health resort facility at the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland in 1839.
While there may not be enough well-designed studies that point to the benefits of Halotherapy, you can most definitely find testimonies online if you search for them. As for my thoughts on Halotherapy, I enjoyed it and will do it again. I can only share with you my own experience which was deeply relaxing and left my skin feeling amazingly soft. While I refrain from making any health claims, I did notice a couple of positive things happening with my body. I have ongoing hip pain that wakes me up nightly, even with the purchase of a brand-new, high-tech, mattress. After the halotherapy, I had zero pain that night and for several nights after it. I also had relief from summer allergies that day and for days after. Again, I am sharing my experience and not making any type of medical claims. I would also recommend discussing halotherapy with your doctor if you have any serious health concerns before a visit to a salt room.
At-home self-care:
I love Himalayan salt lamps and have several of them at home. They are said to improve air quality and purify the air by releasing negative ions into the air, which can help to purify the air by attaching to positively charged particles and neutralizing them. They admit a warm glow that makes unwinding easier.
Having a regular self-care routine is essential for me. I feel like I handle everything better. I turn on a few salt lamps, brew up a cup of my favorite herbal tea, and usually read a book in the bathtub.
Hey, let me know if you give Halotherapy a try!
