How safe is salt therapy?
Salt Therapy is completely safe. It is a 100% drug free, non-invasive and comfortable treatment. Due to the low controlled concentration of salt (15-20mg/m³) dry salt therapy is usually side-effect-free.The only people who should avoid being in a salt chamber are those with severe chronic respiratory issues and those with open wounds and sores. It is advisable that people going into the salt room remove all jewelry and electronic devises since salt can be corrosive to exposed metal.
Is salt therapy safe for children?
Salt therapy is not only safe for children, it is a highly recommended natural treatment. in fact, children especially react very well to treatment for hay fever, bronchitis and asthma. There are no potential harmful side effects. The treatment is suitable for children of any age. Interestingly, children respond to the therapy more quickly than do adults. During a salt therapy session children can play with toys, read books and interact with other children.
What can dry salt therapy do for your airways?
The tiny microscopic salt particles you inhale can reach the smallest part of your airways and help to:
Loosen phlegm and clear mucus
Reduce swelling and inflammation in the airways
Strengthen the local immune system
Improve lung function
Cleanse the respiratory system
Speed up the elimination of toxins
How quickly will I feel the effects?
Depending on your respiratory discomfort, you might begin to breathe more easily during your first treatment already, and as your sessions continue you will begin to find your symptoms such as sneezing coughing and shortness of breath are alleviated and your general health and quality of life are improved.
Can salt therapy help sports performance?
To perform at your best you need to ensure you’re breathing as efficiently as possible. Salt therapy could help normalise your breathing pattern, increase your stamina and endurance, and ensure your body performs at its optimal level.
How much salt do people inhale during a session?
People inhale just a few milligrams of salt during a 45-min session. So, we can barely speak about intake of significant amount of salt. In a healthy, young adult, tidal volume is approximately 500 ml per inspiration [1]. The average human respiratory rate is12-20 breaths per minute [2]. So, people inhale up to 500 ml * 20 breaths = 10 l = 0.01 m3 of air per minute. If there is 2 mg of dry salt aerosol in 1 m3 of the salt room, people will inhale 2 mg * 0.01 m3 = 0.02 mg per minute or 0.9 mg per 45-min session.
Is wet & dry salt therapy the same?
Some businesses claim to provide halotherapy using devices that produce aerosol from a water-based saline solution. However, research has shown:
Wet aerosol mainly settles in the upper respiratory tract and the central trachea and bronchi, due to the hygroscopic characteristics of moist particles.
This can cause airway swelling and bronchospasm
And can provoke a hyper-reactive response in people with asthma and COPD.
Also, moist air can increase the risk of microbial contamination
Research shows that moist saline aerosol is significantly less effective than dry salt aerosol and can cause adverse effects.
What if I have other health issues?
Some people are concerned about the intake of salt because of issues relating to diet, high blood pressure and hypertension. This type of salt intake is connected to the digestive track. Dry salt therapy is different as it associated to respiratory system. When inhaled, the amount of micro salt particles entering the respiratory system is extremely low that it doesn’t present any risk to your health. If you are concerned about your health, it is always best to consult your primary care physician.
Are there any side effects?
Infrequently. Some people might experience a mild tickle in the throat or an increase in cough due to an excess mucus buildup. This is an indication the therapy is working. Other effects might be a slight skin irritation for those with hypersensitive skin.
When should salt therapy be avoided?
Halotherapy is recognized as safe and effective wellness practice for preventive and restorative health care. It is not a medical treatment and does not offer a cure! Halotherapy is not recommended for people with contagious diseases, fever, open wounds, cancer, severe hypertension, mental disorders and active tuberculosis. Salt therapy is not advised during chemotherapy as the detoxification process of dry salt therapy may react with the chemo. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using halotherapy. Anyone with serious health concerns need to seek proper medical advice and care.
What is Himalayan “Pink” Salt
Himalayan “pink” salt comes from crystallized sea salt beds that were uplifted by mountain building into the Khewra Salt Range of northern Pakistan. The underground salt formations are protected from modern-day pollution and formed from ancient oceans, leading to the belief that Himalayan Pink Salt is the purest salt to be found from the Earth. Himalayan salts are packed crystals with over eighty minerals and elements which formed naturally within the earth. The rocks are made up of 95 to 99% sodium chloride and other trace minerals including: iron, potassium, sulfate, magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate, bromide, borate, strontium, and fluoride. Because of these minerals, Himalayan pink salt has many benefits:
Regulating the water content throughout your body
Promoting healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells
Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging
Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body
Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract
Supporting respiratory health
Promoting sinus health
Prevention of muscle cramps
Promoting bone strength
Regulating your sleep — it naturally promotes sleep
Promoting vascular health
In conjunction with water, it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure
Assisting in replenishing electrolytes
Assisting in alkalizing the body and preventing excess acid
What Is Halotherapy?
https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-halotherapy
Web MD
Promising or Placebo? Halo Salt Therapy: Resurgence of a Salt Cave Spa Treatment
https://www.lung.org/blog/promising-placebo-salt-halotherapy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827399/
Halotherapy for Chronic Respiratory Disorders: From the Cave to the Clinical
Daniella Barber, Yury Malyshev, Fatai Oluyadi, Alexander Andreev, Sonu Sahni (2022)
