Breathing Easier

The Benefits of Halotherapy

We have some exciting news for our patients in Moorhead: we now have a halogenerator that can be added to your sauna experience! Halotherapy (also known as speleotherapy when practiced inside caves) has a healing effect when practiced routinely.

What is halotherapy?

Halotherapy is a drug-free alternative medicine form that uses salt to address respiratory and skin conditions. Patients relax in our sauna while our halogenerator disperses microscopic particles of pharmaceutical-grade dry salt into the air for inhalation.

The benefits of salt therapy were initially discovered in 1843 when doctors observed salt miners in Poland suffered fewer respiratory issues following their time spent in the salt mines. Chiseling the salt caused microscopic particles of salt to disperse into the air. The miners inhaled the salt, which was ultimately found to possess natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

How does it work?

Upon inhalation, the salt thins and liquefies the body’s mucus—which contains harmful debris, pathogens, and pollutants. The body dislodges and expels this mucus, along with its damaging components. 

The dry salt also speeds up the body’s natural airway-clearing process by stimulating the cilia. Cilia are tiny, hair-like structures that play a role in movement of fluids and materials within the body.  The cilia keep internal passageways free of mucus. For example, the “mucociliary escalator” is responsible for moving bacteria and debris out of the lungs. Healthy activity of the cilia are especially helpful to patients who are suffering from cold and flu symptoms, or for patients with asthma and other breathing difficulties.  One of the issues with smoking is it destroys our cilia (turns off the mucociliary escalator) making it more difficult to microscopically remove debris and hence more coughing is required to clear the crud.  Halotherapy stimulates the cilia to be more effective in clearing harmful materials resulting in decreased need to cough for clearance.  Salt is also antimicrobial helping to kill bacterial.

In terms of skin, the dry salt reduces inflammation, improves the skin’s protective properties, and promotes exfoliation and regeneration of skin cells. The salt absorbs impurities and promotes good bacteria. For patients with chronic eczema, for example, this natural treatment option could significantly reduce skin discomfort.

Who may benefit from salt therapy?

Patients experiencing a variety of health and lifestyle conditions may find benefit, including those with:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• A Cold
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Eczema
• Fatigue
• Flu
• Hay Fever
• Psoriasis
• Sinusitis & Sinus congestion
• Sleep Difficulties + Snoring 
• Stress
• Tonsilitis

Data gained from a study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life¹ shows a post-treatment decrease in the infectious-inflammatory process in bronchial asthma patients. The study, which focuses on patients with bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, also proves the health benefits of extended and repeated halotherapy treatment on said patients. 

How often should I incorporate salt therapy into my health regimen?

While prescriptions vary, for chronic conditions 2-4 sessions per week is a common.  Your PND healthcare provider will work with you to set up an optimal halotherapy treatment schedule that works with your lifestyle and individual medical conditions. The benefits are cumulative, so consistency and frequency are key to ensure that patients receive optimal benefits from this wonderful naturopathic treatment.  For people seeking halotherapy who are not established patients or who don’t have a prescription call us to learn more.

Do I have to be an established patient to do Halotherapy?

Halotherapy is available without a prescription for those have no contraindications.  Our team will review contraindications such as severe hypertension, respiratory cancer, tuberculosis, and acute pneumonia to ensure the therapy is a safe option for you.

We encourage new and current patients to stop by and experience the healing and therapeutic benefits our new halotherapy chamber offers!

Build Health. Live Well.