Halotherapy FAQs
PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER: While there are many clinical trials and scientific studies conducted on dry salt therapy (halotherapy) throughout the world, the FDA has not evaluated the statements made throughout this website. Dry salt therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What is halotherapy?
Halotherapy 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) by a Halogenerator. Salt absorbs and removes the allergens, toxins and foreign substances in your lungs and sinuses. Salt also reduces any inflammation and opens airway passages making it easier to breathe. Halotherapy is a holistic, drug free, natural therapy to promote better breathing, healthier skin, sound sleep, improved physical fitness and endurance and overall wellness.
How does halotherapy work?
Pure pharmaceutical grade salt is heated and ground into tiny micro particles by a halogenerator and then dispersed into a room, bed, booth or cabin. While relaxing customers simply breathe. The salt opens the airways, reduces inflammation in the lungs and sinuses and loosens the mucus. Negative ions counterbalance the many positive ions we pick up from electronic devices neutralizing the atmosphere, stabilizing mood, decreasing stress and preparing the body for ultimate healing.
Should I stop using traditional medicines during halotherapy sessions?
No. Halotherapy is complementary treatment with the goal of decreasing and controlling respiratory and skin conditions. It has an additive effect and should be used as adjunct therapy to what your doctor has prescribed.
As always, consult with a doctor if you have any concerns or if you have a condition where you are under a physician's care.
Are there any advantages to treatment in a piece of equipment verses a cave/room?
Yes, there are many advantages of an enclosed piece of equipment versus a room/cave. Treatment times are shorter which often allows for more opportunities to fit into our busy schedules, therefore clients/guest will come in more often which leads to better results. Studies were done 3x/week for best efficacy, more often for best result for skin conditions. Additionally, shorter sessions will often keep the price down. Time and money are not barriers to more frequent sessions, which means better efficacy. The buildout for a cave can be costly and has certain requirement like monitoring humidity levels and protecting the HVAC system.
How does halotherapy help with stress?
Salt is negatively charged and has the natural ability to attract and bind positively charged particles to it. The neutralizing forces of salt can cancel out positive charged and harmful electromagnetic vibrations in our environment (electro-smog), as well as in our body. Hence, dry salt therapy has de-stressing, relaxing effects; it is beneficial for calming the nervous system. The whole experience is generally very relaxing and helps to center the mind, body and spirit.
What is the recommended treatment duration per session?
SaltWave Wellness is proud to offer 20 minute halotherapy sessions. We are also proud to offer a 45 minutes Halotherapy Infrared experience.
When should halotherapy be avoided?
Halotherapy is known as a safe and natural treatment, however, clients who have any serious health conditions or women who are pregnant should always consult their doctor first.
Halotherapy is not recommended for people who have the following conditions:
• Infections associated with a fever or contagious diseases
• Some forms of cancer (please consult your doctor) or undergoing chemotherapy
• Tuberculosis
• Cardiac disease
• Acute respiratory disease
• Severe hypertension intoxication
Is salt therapy safe for children?
Yes. Halotherapy is a completely drug-free treatment for children of all ages. European clinical research suggests that dry salt aerosol therapy has a higher degree of efficacy in children. The effectiveness of halotherapy is directly observable and highly recommended for pediatric respiratory and skin conditions. Depending on the age and treatment goals, session times and concentration levels may be adjusted. Please consult your pediatrician.
What results can guests expect?
Many patients who have asthma, allergies and other bronchial issues have seen some amazing results in a short period of time. Breathing may become deeper, sinus passages are less inflamed and start to drain and skin conditions may improve dramatically with frequent and sustained use, which leads to a better quality of life. We don’t make any medical claims about salt therapy but after receiving treatments patient’s respiratory issues and lung function have vastly improved. In addition, those who have severe skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or acne have also had much improvement in the health of their skin.
Will I see, smell or taste anything during a treatment?
Halotherapy is a relaxing, peaceful and rejuvenating experience. While in a halotherapy booth you are breathing the finely milled salt particles into your respiratory system and particles settle and are absorbed by the skin. You will not see or smell the salt, (if you see the salt in the air, the particles may be too large to reach the small airways). You should, however, start to taste the salt on your lips and see it start to collect on the inside of the enclosure/room.
What do you wear during a halotherapy session?
Wear comfortable clothing. Most people wear sportswear, light colored or loose-fitted clothing. The salt air will not harm your clothing, nor leave a noticeable residue. If you are doing halotherapy for skin conditions, we recommend that you wear shorts and T-shirt, to expose as much of the affected area as possible.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are minimal and transient. Some folks may experience a tickle in their throat or sinuses, some sinus drainage as the mucus breaks up. Others may experience minor skin irritation, or skin that tingles/itches as circulation is brought to the surface. For those who experience a slight cough, this is a sign that the salt therapy is effectively moving the impurities through the cilia. Some patients with hypersensitive skin may experience mild skin irritation. Some patients may experience a mild tickle in the throat. If a patient has an excess of mucus in the upper airway, it may break up and drain following a treatment.
What kind of salt is used for halotherapy?
Pure pharmaceutical grade salt (99.99% pure sodium chloride). It contains no added minerals or other potential contaminants or fillers. It comes from a natural source but it is naturally processed to remove all of its impure elements. It’s the same salt that hospitals in Eastern Europe use in their salt rooms as well as the same salt used in halotherapy research. We do not recommend Himalayan or sea salt as it is not stripped of all the impurities. There could be dirt, clay or some type of debris that could be harmful to the lungs. Himalayan salt can be healthy for the digestive system but not for the respiratory system.
Are health improvements noticeable?
With halotherapy, a compromised bronchial is improved as inflammation and mucus levels are restored or eliminated. Breathing becomes easier and the quality and function of breathing improves. Halotherapy facilitates the normalization of other bodily systems and fortifies the immune system. Folks report not needing their rescue inhaler as often and the need for higher doses of pharmaceuticals is reduced. Additionally, folks report sleeping better and the duration severity of allergy symptoms, colds and flu is lessened. Many will notice the benefits of halotherapy after even one treatment, however, as with any chronic condition, frequent and sustained use may be necessary for maximum benefit.
Why is relative humidity important in the halotherapy booth?
The humidity in the halotherapy booth must be between 40-55%. If the air is too humid the efficacy of the therapy diminishes, as the micro particles of salt may not reach the distal airways.
Is there research to support halotherapy?
Halotherapy is backed by 50 years of science. Most research has been done in Europe where the treatment originated. Halotherapy has been well researched in Russia and Eastern Europe. Most of the research has been conducted by Dr. A. V. Chervinskaya, the head of Clinical Research Respiratory Center in St. Petersburg Russia. She works in the field of pulmonology and rehabilitation medicine and has published more than two hundred articles on this topic. Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article on the efficacy of dry salt therapy in cystic fibrosis. They found that long term saline salt treatment had a positive impact on lung function and reduced pulmonary exacerbations. In addition, they found no negative side effects associated with the therapy.
How safe is halotherapy?
Halotherapy is 100% natural, safe and drug-free. It provides effective long-term relief for various respiratory and skin conditions. It can be used as complementary or augment therapy to pharmaceuticals as a means to help maintain and control disease. It can be used alone for stress reduction and improvement of conditions.
How many sessions a week are necessary?
Frequency of therapy depends on the type and severity of the client’s condition as well as and their wellness goals. For respiratory, such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, sinusitis, or allergies it is best to “front load” by coming in 2-3 times the first 7-10 days to saturate the airway, then back down to once or twice a week to find what maintenance looks like for you. Folks with a more severely compromised respiratory tract/condition will want to start halotherapy at a lower concentration over a longer session time. Most skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dry itchy skin may require a higher concentration and more frequent visits. Chronic conditions require sustained use over time for best results.
What will I experience when I sit in the salt booth?
Salt booths are designed so that folks can relax in a soothing and tranquil environment. One can sit back and experience the salt treatment in a very peaceful and stress free setting. People can read, listen to music or nap. Each salt booth is different with varying themes depending on the décor and design that is used. Salt booths may have heated floors and Himalayan salt is often used to cover the floor of the cave or room. Additionally, the room's temperature, humidity, pressure and salt particles concentration are maintained. The lighting is dim and relaxing music is often played. Folks can close their eyes and meditate or just relax. Sessions in a room/cave generally last for 45 and may start to taste a bit of salt on their lips.
Are there germs in the halotherapy booth?
Salt is antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral. The halotherapy booth will be filled with microscopic salt, which creates a virtually sterile environment. In addition, after a session, our state-of-the-art halogenerators vents the air. Surfaces such as chairs and headrests are disinfected after each session.