Lynnette Browning, 54 gets a halotherapy treatment for her severe asthma as her husband Griff Browning sits in the salt room with her. (Anne Cusack /Los Angeles Times)
A couple of years ago I interviewed a woman, in her early twenties, who had cystic fibrosis. She had become an ambassador for an organization called “Pipeline for a Cure” which touted the therapeutic benefits of surfing for cystic fibrosis. The salt in the water helps to open up the airways and clear mucus, making breathing easier for a patient with cystic fibrosis. This was the first time I had heard about salt and it’s healing properties.
Fast forward to today and the Health section of the LA Times. There was an article entitled, “Salt Room Sanctuaries” which explored salt rooms and the healing properties in which users claim they have. Called Halotherapy, a user will sit in an all white room, made to look like an ice cave, with salt plastered on the walls and floor, while a generator fans out salt into the air. The article concentrated on exploring the Salt Chalet, a salt room treatment center that recently opened in Encino, CA–the first of it’s kind on the West Coast. Users vary from allergy sufferers, to those with psoriasis, and the aforementioned patients with respiratory problems.
Although doctors state that the claimed benefits of salt therapy are unproven, they can understand why it’s become popular. The salt used in most centers comes from the Dead Sea. As the LA Times reports, the Dead Sea is special because, “. . . of the sea’s unique properties — it is the lowest point on Earth and has the highest concentration of minerals in a body of water. . .” As a result, many claim that it treats a variety of ailments, especially skin conditions.
If you Google Salt Therapy, you’ll see everything from companies who make salt therapy machines to use in your own home, to blog entries stating it was “the only thing that worked” to advertising for salt room treatment centers across the globe. Whether or not it works, this is one trend that seems to be gaining momentum.
Ras 40 years ,I am suffering with heavy cough when i exposed to cold wind or take a cold drink or exposed to dusty atmosphere .First throught start itching and coughing,dry cough,i cant control my coughing but no wheezing for the past 20 yaers.Now it repeatedly effecting and antibiotics and alergy tablets not giving good responce as before.Now with medication it remains for 20 to 25 days.My Dr:(Pulmonologist) recommend me to use continious use of flixotide 250 diskus (2inhalation morning and 2 at evening),is there any alternative treatment available for me
We brought a salt room to our city, first and foremost to help our daughter with asthma use less medication. Since completing therapy she was able to easily use 80% less medication (her pulmonologist even said she could stop 100% after a lung function test, but kept her on a small dose for spring allergies). Now, mid-summer, she’s off 100% of meds and is more active than ever. A great majority of our clients have had similar results that were more amazing than any of us thought possible, including serious cases of CF, severe allergies, chronic sinusitis and many more that did not respond well to mainstream medicine. Doctors have seen the results, jaws dropped open in many cases, but won’t refer anyone to us. Hmmm, could it be because we haven’t lowered ourselves to the tactics of billion dollar pharma company reps?
double blinded clinical trials would be nice…
So called ‘natural’ therapies never seem to want to do these.. I do wonder why..?
I think the reason there are so few studies done for natural therapies is lack of funding. Western medicine is very well funded because there people with health insurance pay a lot of money for care. I would love to see more studies done about salt therapy. I know when I’m near the ocean, my allergies are much better. Is it the salt air or lack of trees that cause my allergies? ????
We’re proud owners of the first Himalayan salt therapy cave in Australia. We built ours under instruction from builders in Poland. So glad this natural therapy is making it’s way around the world. In our region of Queensland we have had remarkable success with asthmas sufferers and people with a number of skin disorders.
The Salt Room La Jolla is opening in the summer of 2012.
We are so happy to be bringing this 100% natural, drug free treatment to
California. Salt is a natural anti-infalmmatory and anti-bacterial treatment with negative ions to help you breathe easier, restore your health and renew your skin.
You have the choice between man made chemicals in medicine or 100% all natural treatments!! Shouldn’t you pick the obvious???
I have seen firsthand over the years the many benefits that can be received from treatment with dead sea salt. It’s unique and special properties aid with a whole host of ailments and conditions – both physical and mental. Salt Therapy Rooms are taking the treatment to the ‘extreme’ and it will be interesting to see what kind of results it can produce for more serious conditions with prolonged use.
SolA Asheville’s North Carolina’s Only Therapeutic Salt Cave is Opening September 2012.
Experience a unique oasis, a salt enriched microclimate which allows the body and mind to gain relaxation, rehabilitation and balance. The power of salt therapy has been known for centuries to be beneficial in the treatment of respiratory ailments, cardiovascular issues, nervous system disorders, skin problems and digestive complaints. Come experience a special place for rest and healing. We are a 100% sustaniably cave!
Even getting a salt lamp can be rather therapeutic – my youngest child sleeps really well with hers, and the light is dim enough not to disrupt her sleep.
To answer about clinical testing on the therapuetic benefits of salt therapy-there actually ARE double blind placebo controlled studies on Himalayan salt inhalers for asthma patients. They were done in England years ago (i am talking 2006 or 2007) and the results were conclusively positive. It is easy to throw out snarky remarks. We are wise to be alittle cynical of things we havent heard of before, but Research it and find out the facts. Salt (esp Himalayan) is effective for many skin and respiratory issues. Salt Lamps, when warmed by the light bulb, evaporate the moisture they attract and create negative ions which are good for air quality. This happens because positively charges particles like dust and other allergens are attracted to the neg ions and then drop out of the air. You can smell the difference in the air. The ions dont flow out far, maybe a 6 ft radius around the lamp (depending on how big it is). Gentle but reliable. I am glad this is finally becoming mainstream.
how good is this treatment for psaorisas ..
I have Bronchiectasis and want to use the salt room near us. I am also diabetic and have osteoporosis. Will this treatment be harmful to either of these conditions.