Halotherapy, also know as salt therapy, involves purposefully breathing in salty air. This type of therapy definitely has some health benefits for some people. When coupled with an infrared sauna, the benefits can be greater. So let’s explore what salt therapy is and how it helps.
Experience the benefits of halotherapy in your own home with a Clearlight® HALOONE™ Halotherapy Generator! Learn More
Salt Therapy History
Although halotherapy is only now getting a lot of scientific attention, it has been used historically in Eastern Europe where salt caves are common. It’s thought that salt therapy originally began in the 1800s when a Polish doctor found that salt mine workers had fewer respiratory issues compared to other types of miners. Today, modern devices are used to make halotherapy more accessible than ever.
Types of Halotherapy
There are two main types of halotherapy treatments: Dry and wet.
Dry Halotherapy
This form of salt therapy is typically experienced in man-made salt caves that, because of the salt content, have very little humidity. Temperatures are set to be cool, about 68 Fahrenheit, and the sessions run for between 30 and 45 minutes. These dry sessions can be augmented with a halogenerator. This device grinds salt into tiny particles and releases them into the air to be inhaled. The tiny salt particles can also be absorbed by the skin, potentially providing additional health benefits.
Wet Halotherapy
This therapy mixes salt and water which can then be applied to the body in different ways. For example, when you gargle with salt water to reduce throat mucus you are using a form of wet halotherapy. Another type involves taking a salt bath. This allows your skin to absorb certain mineral salt particles which can be very beneficial.
Benefits of Halotherapy
Research still needs to be done to prove the benefits of halotherapy. However, early studies are promising and indicate that halotherapy may provide some beneficial physiological effects as well as help to stave off some symptoms associated with certain chronic conditions. Here are some of the potential benefits of halotherapy:
Alleviate Asthma Symptoms
As recently as 2014, studies on rats showed that salt therapy may help with some symptoms of asthma. Why salt therapy can help with this condition is not fully understood. However, it may be that the salt particles can help to reduce inflammation or irritation and break up mucus in the lungs. It’s not yet proven whether these effects can also be seen in humans. More data and in-depth studies are required.
COPD Assistance
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic condition affecting millions of Americans. There’s some evidence to suggest that halotherapy might assist with this condition’s symptoms, as well. Individuals who participated in a 2007 study examing the results of halotherapy when used to treat COPD experienced a higher quality of life compared to those who did not receive salt therapy.
Sinus Decongestion
The jagged shapes of salt particles in halotherapy may help with sinus and lung decongestion. Mucus building up in the lungs can be quite dangerous for multiple reasons. But breathing air with a higher-than-average salt content might help to alleviate this issue. Additionally, this is true even if the condition was caused by a common cold, or a chronic condition.
Calming Effects
Many people find sea air to be calming and relaxing. Coastal air has noticeably higher salt content compared to the air found inland. So, is believed that halotherapy might also be able to calm and relax individuals.
Potential Skin Benefits
While salt overall is dehydrating, certain pure mineral salts (not table salt) can actually moisturize the skin while also supporting the skin’s water balance and barrier functionality. It does this by attracting moisture from the air to the skin. Additionally, certain minerals are necessary for skin health and detoxification. In this way, halotherapy may be able to help with various skin conditions, including dryness, acne, and even eczema.
Are There Side Effects with Halotherapy?
While there’s some limited evidence that halotherapy might be beneficial for those suffering from asthma as we mentioned above, it may also have the opposite effect by irritating or constricting airwaves in asthmatic people. Additionally, salty air can make some cough or wheeze and also experience shortness of breath.
Furthermore, halotherapy is not a proven scientific therapy. It’s only intended to be used in conjunction with other medical treatments or procedures.
While caution is advised with any treatment like this, there isn’t any evidence that halotherapy is particularly harmful. You should not expect to experience any secondary side effects, especially if you don’t have asthma or an underlying respiratory condition.
Is Halotherapy Right for You?
Ultimately, you should speak to your doctor before beginning halotherapy regularly, especially if you want to use it to treat one or more chronic conditions or to alleviate certain symptoms. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether halotherapy is right for you or if the potential risks are too great to be worthwhile.
Order the Clearlight® Halotherapy Machine
The Clearlight® HALOONE™ Halotherapy Generator simulates the experience of visiting a salt cave in your own home sauna. The innovative device grinds pharmaceutical grade salt into small particles, which are then spread throughout your sauna as a fine salt aerosol. As you relax in your sauna, you can begin to experience the benefits of salt therapy.
The Haloone generator features:
- Pharmaceutical grade salt
- Sleek, attractive design
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Use within your Clearlight Infrared Sauna