Salt Caves: A New Treatment for Respiratory and Allergy Sufferers!

by Laura Chervenak

A new and upcoming trend that is making its way across the oceans to the United States for respiratory and allergy sufferers is halotherapy, or salt therapy (Greek: halos = salt; therapy = treatment). You may have heard of the original therapy, speleotherapy, which is the same treatment process as halotherapy, but takes place in actual salt caves located below ground.  This treatment is very popular in Eastern and Central Europe, but because salt mines are not found in all parts of the world, an artificial environment similar to that of an actual salt cave was created.

The history of speleotherapy dates back to 19th century Poland. It was noticed that Polish salt miners were never contaminated with any lung-related diseases. It was then that the first speleotherapy center was opened. During World War II, salt’s healing powers were noticed again mainly in bomb shelters and from there on, speleotherapy centers spread throughout Europe, and the approved scientific basis of speleotherapy was officially founded in the 1960s.

The therapy may sound strange because we are constantly being overwhelmed with low-sodium labels and low-sodium diets, so why would we actually want to breathe in salt while we are frequently being told we should avoid it? It is because the salt that is now found in our foods and saltshakers has nothing in common with the original crystal salt that is found in salt mines. The salt of today has been “chemically cleaned” of trace elements and essential minerals that were included in the natural salt crystal, making it mainly a combination of just sodium and chloride. It is the absence of those essential elements and minerals that makes the salt we consume so unhealthy for our bodies.

This 100% natural, drug-free therapy takes place in a room that simulates a natural salt cave microclimate called The Halotherapeutic Chamber. Microparticles of salt are constantly being produced in a generator impacted with high kinetic energy producing salt aerosol that is continuously being blown and scattered into the room. The room must maintain specific conditions to promote a stable aerosol environment, while providing comfort to those in treatment. In a relaxing atmosphere, the temperature is set between 20-26 degrees Celsius with humidity levels between 40%-50%. Because our lives are filled with so many electromagnetic waves that “pollute” the air we breathe, the delicate balance of positively and negatively charged ions is thrown off. By having patients spend time in these chambers doing relaxing activities and breathing exercises while breathing in pure non-polluted air combined with natural salt ions has been a proven therapy to improve lung functions in individuals with respiratory diseases. Patients can use this therapy as a sole treatment, or as a complimentary therapy to prescription medicines. It has been studied that individuals with the following conditions have felt relief after halotherapy:
 

•  chronic bronchitis, sinusitis
•  breathlessness, chest tightness,
•  coughs (particularly at night or after exercise),
•  mucus plugs, wheezing,
•  colds and respiratory allergies,
•  mucosal edema,
•  bronchitis, adenoids, rhinitis, tonsillitis,
•  pharyngitis, pneumonia after acute stage,
•  bronchiectatic disease, respiratory infections,
•  influenza, rhinosinusopathy,
•  smoker's cough (secondary smoke related symptoms),
•  frequent acute disorders of respiratory tract,
•  multi chemical sensitivity syndrome,
•  allergies to industrial and household pollutants,
•  eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis

For centuries, Europeans have been taken advantage of halotherapy, and as the trend starts to catch on in the United States, hopefully Americans can start experiencing the same benefits, as well! For additional details and information on speleotherapy and halotherapy: www.halotherapy.com, www.salt-therapy.eu, www.naturalmedicine.suite101.com, and www.saltcave.us. And as with any new therapy or treatment, please consult with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Sign Up for udates, newsletters & more!
Send questions or comments to:  Andrea@HealWithHope.com