How it Works Service Overview History Haleotherapy vs Speleotherapy
 Conditions Treated Medical References Salt Lamps Photo Gallery Service Pricing

How it Works

Salt Therapy Health and Wellness centre has gone to great lengths to locally simulate the treatment cave found in the salt mine located in the Ukraine (speleotherapy). The mine in the Ukraine is a hospital called The Ukrainian Allergologic Hospital (UAH) which is a renowned speleotherapeutic clinic. Patients with all forms of bronchial asthma and other chronic nonspecific lung diseases have been treated successfully in the unique microclimate of salt mines for more than 30 years. Annually more than 2000 adults and 1000 children attend the clinic.

The microclimate in the Salt Room is formed naturally, through the convective diffusion from the salt walls, and combined with the controlled temperature and humidity to simulate that of the cave which creates a hypo-bacterial and allergen-free air environment. As the salt is inhaled while sitting it the room, it travels through the sinuses and respiratory tract absorbing moisture, cleansing, clearing mucus and killing bacteria.

Dry-salt enriched air contains tiny salt particles that are not noticeable and easily inhaled with natural breathing. By sitting in the Salt Room for a prolonged period, low concentrations of salt are delivered to where it is most needed – deep in the lungs, where the salt then dissolves phlegm in the bronchial tubes and kills micro-organisms that cause infections. The phlegm, allergens, bacteria and any small impurities are later coughed up by the patient or leave the body through other natural metabolic ways. The treatment works to reduce the basis of inflammation by destroying bacteria and strengthening the immune system.

Salt Therapy is 100% natural, drug-free and non-invasive. Although Salt Room Therapy is new to Canada, it has been clinically proven and is covered by the Health Care System in many countries in Europe. There is about a 90% success rate with children under the age of 7 in reducing dependence on medication and relieving symptoms. For adults, the success rate is about 70%.
Our therapies can be used as a complementary treatment or as a sole treatment. Salt Room Therapy is suitable for adults and children from the age of 4 months and up. Salt Rooms and Speleotherapy have been widely used with children and the results are so positive and safe that we recommend trying this natural method first if your child is diagnosed with asthma.

Consult your doctor and ask if it can complement the treatment of your respiratory condition.

Conditions Treated and Medical References

See video: CNN Video

Read medical article: Saline Inhalation in Asthma

Pictures of the Ancient Salt Mine Photo Gallery

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Service Overview

We have two comfortable Salt Rooms to support your therapy sessions. Each session is 1 hour and you remain in the Salt Room for the entire time. We have comfortable chairs for you to sit in and read, or listen to your music (using your earphones). One of our rooms is for adults to provide a more serene environment for relaxation. The second room is built like a playroom, complete with toys and books, so that the children can enjoy the session without being aware that they are receiving a treatment. One parent can enjoy the treatment with their children under 12 years, as adult supervision is required. Salt Room Therapy is suitable for adults and children from the age of 4 months and up.

There is no need to wear anything specific. All forms of clothing are suitable and you will be provided with booties to go over your shoes.

In most countries it is recommend that parents first try natural methods of treating asthma and respiratory conditions with their children before starting to use medications. Hormone (corticosteroids or ICS) inhalation medication can cause serious and dangerous side-effects in childhood.

A standard treatment program consists of 2 treatments per week for the first several weeks followed by treatment once a week for several weeks. However, each person is different and we work with you to develop a treatment program specific to your conditions. We book appointments and accept walk-ins depending on available space.

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History

As far back as Roman and Medival times, miners have been recording improvements in breathing as a result of being in the caves. In 1843 a Polish physician at the Wieliczka salt mine, Dr. Feliks Boczkowski, recorded that miners did not suffer from lung diseases and his successor set up a therapeutic spa based on these observations. During the second world war Dr. Karl Hermann Spannagel noticed improvements in the health of his patients as they hid in the Kluterthöhle karst cave to escape heavy bombing. Those who suffered from bronchial asthma while staying in that bomb shelter had their coughing subside and their breathing became much smoother. Ever since, this cave has continued to be used for medical treatment of respiratory diseases and, through patients studies, Dr. Spannagel and dc. H. Kesler, Hungarian geologist and a famous speleologist, have developed the basis for modern Speleotherapy.

Up until 1987 these underground caves were the only available method. In 1987 a new system was developed in Russia (speleochambers- salt rooms) to replicate the environment of the salt caves. Today there are hundreds of Speleotherapy facilities located throughout eastern and central Europe. This natural complementary therapy is gaining recognition in the rest of the world, including the United States.

**Places in the world that uses salt therapy:
Tampa Florida | New York | Australia | England | Mexico | Ireland | Malaysia |
Russia | Italy | Germany | Hungary | Austria | Slovakia | Poland | Bulgaria | Romania

Halotherapy vs Speleotherapy-
What is the difference?

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Conditions Treated

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Bronchitis and Chronic Bronchitis
• Allergies
• Sinusitis and Rhinitis
• Ear Infections
• Emphysema
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Unhealthy Skin, Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Snoring

Our treatments are also used to:
• Improve breathing for athletes and ex-smokers
• Hydrate or firm the skin
• Ease inflammation
• Flush out toxins
• Deep relaxation, encouraging easier and deeper sleep
• Faster recovery from muscle and joint strain
• Relieve stress on joints and muscles
• Ease inflammation

Asthma

The sterile, pure and dry-salt aerosol of the Salt Room Therapy penetrates into the bronchi and kills bacteria and viruses. Based on clinical studies, inhaled salty air has the ability to kill bacteria and increase mucociliary clearance, thereby reducing inflammation in the whole respiratory tract, absorbing edema from the mucosa lining the airway passages and restoring the respiratory tract. A study published in 1996 showed that inhaled saline aerosol increases mucociliary clearance in asthmatic and healthy subjects (Daviskas E. et al, Inhalation of hypertonic saline aerosol enhances mucociliary clearance in asthmatic and healthy subjects, Eur Respir J, 1996, 9, 725–732– Saline Inhalation in Asthma)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Inhalation of salt aerosol is clinically proven to cleanse the respiratory system and speed up the elimination of toxins. The salt particles are able to penetrate into the bronchial tree. Dry saline aerosol works as a “bronchial brush” for the airways.
 Salt has bactericidal effects, cleansing microbial flora of the respiratory tract, slowing down bacterial growth and increasing resistance to respiratory tract diseases. Salt aerosol is a well known decongestant; it reduces inflammation widening of the airway passages, restoring the normal transport of mucous secretion and free blockages in the bronchi and bronchioles leading to rapid elimination of the residual tar and foreign allergens. It also has a hyposensitizing effect: the body becomes less sensitive to a substance that produces an allergic reaction (reduces IgE levels).
Dry sodium chloride eliminates airborne pollen particles from the airways. The air composition strengthens immunity and better immunity decreases allergic reaction to pollens and other allergens.

Bronchitis and Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis can follow a common cold and especially occur in smokers. A dry and spasmodic cough with phlegm are common and the inhalation of salt can help to kill bacteria and increase mucociliary clearance, thereby speeding the recovery. In a recently completed study, the use of a mist of saline solution delivered to treat bronchiolitis in children concluded that saline could significantly reduce the length of hospital stay and decrease the severity in infants with acute viral bronchitis (Zhang L et al. Nebulized hypertonic saline solution for acute bronchiolitis in infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD006458. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006458.pub2.)

Allergies

Salt is a well known decongestant; it reduces inflammation widening of the airway passages, restoring the normal transport of mucous secretion and free blockages in the bronchi and bronchioles leading to rapid elimination of the residual tar and foreign allergens. It also has a hyposensitizing effect: the body becomes less sensitive to a substance which produces allergic reactions. Salt Therapy reduces IgE levels in the body. IgE is the antibody involved in allergic reactions.
Dry sodium chloride aerosol eliminates airborne pollen particles from the airways. The air composition strengthens immunity and better immunity decreases allergic reaction to pollens and other allergens.

Seasonal Rhinitis and Sinusitis

Although much of the research has been completed using salt in a solution, we believe these studies indirectly support the use of salt therapies to treat sinus conditions. Recent evidence suggests that nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline may be useful as an adjunctive treatment modality in the management of many sinonasal diseases. (Garavello W et al., Hypersaline nasal irrigation in children with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis: A randomized study, Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2003: 14: 140–143 – Sinusitis and Rhinitis). Additional studies of salt use to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis and Sinonasal diseases include:

1. Parikh A, Scadding GK. Seasonal allergic rhinitis. Br Med J 1997: 314: 1392–5.
   
2. Tomooka LT, Murphy C, Davidson TM. Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation. Laryngoscope2000: 110: 1189–93.
   
3. Ferguson BJ. Allergic rhinitis: options for pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. Postgrad Med 1997: 101:117–26.
   
4. Taccariello M, Parikh A, Darby Y, Scadding G.Nasal douching as a valuable adjunct in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Rhinology 1999: 37: 29–32.

Cystic Fibrosis

In a recently completed long term study, inhaled hypertonic saline was shown to increase mucociliary clearance and improve lung function (higher FVC and FEV1 with fewer pulmonary exacerbations) in people with cystic fibrosis. Long term safety and efficacy was also shown. (Elkins M. et al, A Controlled Trial of Long-Term Inhaled Hypertonic Saline in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, New England Journal of Medicine, January 19, 2006 vol. 354 no. 3 – Saline Inhalation in CF).
Breathing an aerosol of salt water has been found effective as a treatment for the heavy build up of mucus typical of cystic fibrosis. The benefits of this were also noticed by sufferers who regularly surfed in Australia and so were exposed to the natural aerosol of the salt spray. (source; Jane Elliott, Dose of Salts to Ease Cystic Fibrosis, BBC, March 31, 2006.)

Unhealthy Skin, Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis

Our skin can mirror problems occurring within our body such as disrupted intestinal flora, toxins, allergies and many other conditions. While detoxification and changes in health and diet may eliminate the cause, our salt therapies can support increasing minerals, balancing the minerals, killing bacteria and overall health of the skin.

Snoring

Salt Room Therapy can help to reduce snoring and improve sleeping by clearing the airway passages of mucosa that contribute to obstructions. Increased sinus drainage and clearance and also supported by relaxation and Flotation in Epsom Salts can help improve sleeping and overall health.

Ear Infections

In the auditory tube, edema can cause ear infections, which can be diminished by positively affecting the airway passages and increasing drainage and clearance behind the tympanic membrane. Any infection can be improved with the bacterial killing properties of salt.

Emphysema

Inhalation of salt aerosol is clinically proven to cleanse the respiratory system and speed up the elimination of toxins. The salt particles are able to penetrate into the bronchial tree. Dry saline aerosol works as a “bronchial brush” for the airways.
 Salt has bactericidal effects, cleansing microbial flora of the respiratory tract, slowing down bacterial growth and increasing resistance to respiratory tract diseases. Salt aerosol is a well known decongestant; it reduces inflammation widening of the airway passages, restoring the normal transport of mucous secretion and free blockages in the bronchi and bronchioles leading to rapid elimination of the residual tar and foreign allergens. It also has a hyposensitizing effect: the body becomes less sensitive to a substance that produces an allergic reaction (reduces IgE levels).
Dry sodium chloride eliminates airborne pollen particles from the airways. The air composition strengthens immunity and better immunity decreases allergic reaction to pollens and other allergens.

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Medical References:

Most of the dozens of clinical trials thus far, mainly reported in Russian-language journals, have focused on the use of Speleotherapy as a treatment for asthma, chronic bronchitis, a range of respiratory conditions and potentially against systemic diseases. Clinical studies have also been published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2006) demonstrating that the inhalation of saline produces sustained mucus clearance and improved lung function in patients with Cistic Fibrosis. In 1995 the Journal of Aerosol Medicine reported significant improvements in patients with various types of respiratory diseases (bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive and non-obstructive bronchitis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis) who were treated with halotherapy (salt therapy) in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Chervinskaya AV, Zilber NA.
Halotherapy for treatment of respiratory diseases
J Aerosol Med. 1995 Fall;8(3):221-32.
PMID: 10161255

Gorbenko PP, Adamova IV, Sinitsyna TM.
[Bronchial hyperreactivity to the inhalation of hypo- and hyperosmolar aerosols and its correction by halotherapy]
Ter Arkh. 1996; 68(8):24-8. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 9019826

Grinshtein IuI, Shestovitskii VA, Kuligina-Maksimova AV.
[Clinical significance of cytological characteristics of bronchial inflammation in obstructive pulmonary diseases]
Ter Arkh. 2004; 76(3):36-9. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 15108456

Grigor'eva NV.
[Halotherapy in combined non-puncture therapy of patients with acute purulent maxillary sinusitis]
Vestn Otorinolaringol. 2003;(4):42-4. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 13677023

Abdrakhmanova LM, Farkhutdinov UR, Farkhutdinov RR.
[Effectiveness of halotherapy of chronic bronchitis patients]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2000 Nov-Dec ;( 6):21-4. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 11197648

Maev EZ, Vinogradov NV.
[Halotherapy in the combined treatment of chronic bronchitis patients]
Voen Med Zh. 1999 Jun; 320(6):34-7, 96. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 10439712

Chernenkov RA, Chernenkova EA, Zhukov GV.
[The use of an artificial microclimate chamber in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1997 Jul-Aug ;( 4):19-21. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 9424823

Chervinskaia AV.
[The scientific validation and outlook for the practical use of halo-aerosol therapy]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2000 Jan-Feb ;( 1):21-4. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 11094875

Farkhutdinov UR, Abdrakhmanova LM, Farkhutdinov RR.
[Effects of halotherapy on free radical oxidation in patients with chronic bronchitis]
Klin Med ( Moscow ). 2000;78(12):37-40. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 11210350

Borisenko LV, et al
[The use of halotherapy for the rehabilitation of patients with acute bronchitis and a protracted and recurrent course]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 1995 Jan-Feb ;( 1):11-5. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 7785211

Roslaia NA, Likhacheva EI, Shchekoldin PI.
[Efficacy of therapeutic use of ultrasound and sinusoidal modulated currents combed with halotherapy in patient with occupational toxic-dust bronchitis]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2001 Jan-Feb ;( 1):26-7. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 11530404

Maliavin AG, Filiaeva IuA, Umakhanova MM, Chervinskaia AV.
[Halotherapy-a new treatment of bacterial vaginosis]
Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2004 May-Jun ;( 3):35-7. (Article in Russian)
PMID: 15216790

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Salt Lamp Description and Instructions

All salt lamps are $120

The salt lamp is designed as a complementary therapy for people suffering from chronic and allergic diseases of the respiratory system.

Purifying and cleansing the lungs is not only beneficial for people with breathing problems but also for people working in environments contaminated by dust, bacteria, toxic substances, and for smokers.

The therapy is for all ages and is especially recommended for children.

Our salt lamps are made from the same salt blocks/crystals that have been
used to build our salt rooms. Each salt lamp is a salt block that is over 270 million years old. The salt lamps are able to create an artificial microclimate in your bedroom, identical to the climatic conditions of the underground salt caves.

How Does The Lamp Work?

1. The air around the lamp is allergen free, which enables the immune system to strengthen and balance out. The salt released penetrates deep into the bronchial tubes and absorbs mucus from swollen mucus membranes. The salt blocks are 98% sodium chloride.
   
   
2. Thick mucus becomes thinner and is released more easily. The airways expand which eases breathing, inhalation and exhalation. This allows for deeper and improved sleeping!
   
   
3. The salt lamp releases negative ions, balances the electricity in the air and neutralizes negativity, and is therefore recommended for placing in rooms in which there are computers or other electrical devices. 

Possible Treatments Using the Salt Lamp

Asthma, COPD, chronic ear infections, chronic cough (including smoking), croup, bronchial diseases, throat infections, chronic runny nose, snoring and sleep problems, cleansing and purification of the respiratory system.


Operating Instructions

1. The lamp should be placed close to the person within a radius of not more than one meter (preferably close to the bed, next to a computer, etc...)
2. It should be turned on 2 hours prior to sleep, left on for the duration of the night and turned off in the morning.
3. The salt lamp is effective for 5 years.

Safety Instructions

1. The lamp must be placed on a firm and stable surface (weight is approximately 30-40 lbs)
2. The lamp must be kept away from flammable materials.
3. Do not cover the lamp when in operation.

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