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Salt has been used across cultures in dozens of ways—from flavoring food to soap making to being a go-to home remedy. Today, dry salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, has been used in wellness to improve breathing issues. Read on to learn more about halotherapy’s history, kinds, and benefits.

History of Halotherapy

This form of alternative treatment dates back to the 12th century. At that time, Polish people bathed in mineral waters. Then in 1843, Feliks Boczkowski, a Polish physician, encouraged the idea of salt treatment upon noticing that salt miners didn’t suffer from lung problems like other mines.

People went to natural salt caves or tunnels as the idea became more popular. Today, we call this speleotherapy, and it’s quite common in Eastern Europe.

Eventually, many modern therapeutic centers started offering halotherapy to their clients.

salt cave

In the 12th century, visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons, or speleotherapy was common in Eastern Europe.

 

Types of Halotherapy

Dry salt therapy often uses pharmaceutical-grade dry salt. It is usually done in conventional salt rooms and can be categorized as active or passive. 

Active Halotherapy 

In active halotherapy, a specialized machine halogenerator grinds down the salt into micro-particles that disperse in room air. 

Passive Halotherapy

When the salt room doesn’t use a halogenerator but instead uses Himalayan salt lining the floors and walls, it’s passive halotherapy. This type imitates the environment in salt caves but they regulate the temperature and humidity.

While we’re mainly talking about dry salt therapy, there’s also wet salt therapy. 

How does Halotherapy Work?

Halotherapy, which mimics the environment of salt caves, has a positive impact on health, especially the respiratory system. Halogenerators break up salt crystals into microscopic salt particles (with a diameter of less than 3 m). 

When patients inhale the salty air, this helps reduce inflammation in the bronchial mucosa, dissolves mucus, and helps clear airways. As a result, your respiratory issues improve, and you breathe easier.

Plus, the cozy environment can relax your nervous system and reduce stress.

Benefits of Halotherapy

Halotherapy is quite helpful in managing allergies, some skin conditions, and lung problems such as asthma and COPD, among others.

Scientific studies have found halotherapy to be beneficial in the treatment of these respiratory conditions and skin ailments:

  • Asthma, Respiratory allergies, Bronchitis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A 2014 study on the effects of halotherapy on people with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, and allergies showed that this therapeutic approach decreased the inflammatory process and stimulated an anti-allergic mechanism. In this study, participants stayed in a halotherapy chamber with an artificial salt-mine environment for 15 days.

A more recent study in 2019 on the impact of dry salt aerosol on COPD exacerbations concluded that it positively impacts reducing the severity of this respiratory problem.

  • Rhinitis

A 2020 study noted that salt room therapy reduced swelling and improved the patency of the nasal passages in patients with vasomotor rhinitis after surgery. In addition, the researchers concluded that it’s a safe and effective approach that decreases the need for drugs like decongestants.

  • Cystic Fibrosis

A 2015 study indicated a significant improvement of dyspnea (shortness of breath) in patients with cystic fibrosis so the researchers recommend it as an adjunct therapy.

  • Skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis

 

In a randomized controlled trial done in 2011, bathing in Dead solution plus Ultraviolet B (UVB) treatment was found to be more effective in reducing psoriasis symptoms compared to using only UVB.

Meanwhile, an earlier study in 2006 showed that halotherapy sessions reduced itching, thickening of the skin (lichenification), and scratches in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Now that you know the benefits of halotherapy, you might consider trying it. Some people try this for relaxation with the infrared sauna or red light therapy. Always talk to your doctor before trying halotherapy if you have any medical conditions. Possible contraindications are listed here on the EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center website. EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts offers cutting edge Halo One® halotherapy. The Halo One® is the only halotherapy generator that produces salt particles between 1-10 microns because of its vibrating mesh technology. This means the salt will reach a greater area of your lungs than any other halotherapy on the market and provide more efficient and effective health benefits. Learn more about the Clearlight Halo One® here. 

halotherapy salt therapy

Halo One® Halotherapy Salt Therapy Service at EveryBody in Mind Wellness Center in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

If you’re ready to explore health and wellness technology, visit and book a session with us at Everybody in Mind Wellness Center.