Can the Salt Room Help?
Our salt room has been open and helping patients since January of 2018. We thought we’d take the time to answer a few of the most common questions about it.
What does a salt room do?
A salt room is a special spa-like room with salt-coated walls and floor. It is also called a halochamber (halos is the Greek word for salt). Pharmaceutical-grade salt is pulverized into microscopic particles and pushed into the room by a halogenerator. Patients passively breathe in the salt particles, which enter the lungs and nasal passages. This accelerates mucus clearance and improves lung function, while killing harmful bacteria and soothing the respiratory system.
Does salt therapy really work?
Yes! Patients schedule salt therapy sessions, or halotherapy, to help with a myriad of health concerns and as a complementary treatment for many breathing and skin ailments. Articles and podcasts on the value of salt rooms and a variety of salt therapies have appeared in Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and ABC News. The New England Journal of Medicine published a study in 2006 found that halotherapy was an effective complementary treatment for cystic fibrosis.
What do you do in a salt room?
You sit back in zero-gravity chairs and either read or just unplug! Many people find it so relaxing that they take a catnap during their session. There are toys in the room for younger patients; the kids have a lot of fun playing with the salt, just like snow or sand at the beach.
Are salt rooms safe in spite of COVID?
Yes, after each session, the chairs and toys are wiped down with disinfectant and an ultraviolet light is used to sterilize the entire room.
Is salt therapy healthy?
Yes, halotherapy is antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory to the body and has been documented to help ease symptoms of respiratory and skin conditions.
Can salt therapy be harmful? Can salt therapy make you sick?
Salt therapy is a 100% drug-free treatment and has no side-effects. It is completely safe for patients of all ages—from newborns to geriatrics. However, we do recommend consulting your doctor about any particular health concerns before undergoing ANY new therapy.
What kind of salt is used in halotherapy?
Pharmaceutical-grade salt, pulverized into microscopic particles, is used in our salt room.
What happens if you inhale salt?
Salt particles have negatively charged ions which enhance our overall health. They are hypertonic, which means they pull fluid and toxins out of the cells. Salt ions loosen mucus and act as an expectorant, which increases drainage and decreases congestion.
Salt therapy neutralizes pollutants like smoke, dander, dust, pollen and other allergens present in the airways. The pulverized salt is naturally antibacterial and kills bacteria in the respiratory tract. It reduces tissue irritation and swelling, which is inflammation in the lungs, opening the airways and increasing oxygen exchange.
Salt therapy increases the effectiveness of conventional treatment. Cleansing the airways and decreasing inflammation helps medications work more effectively and also reduces the need for them.
How long should you sit in a salt room?
Salt therapy sessions last 45 minutes.
How long does salt therapy take to work?
Patients report improvements in just one session; however, three to ten sessions are recommended. Multi-visit packages are available!
Is breathing salt air good for you?
Salt therapy is completely safe. It is also inexpensive and very effective in preventing common comorbid conditions such as ear and sinus infections. It helps prevent asthma attacks, especially during peak allergy season or after exposure to pollutants (like a visit to a relative who smokes). Due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, it also improves skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and acne.
Does salt therapy raise blood pressure?
No, since the salt particles are so small, you are inhaling a very small amount of salt. Salt therapy has a calming effect on the nervous system and could actually benefit symptoms of high blood pressure! However, we do recommend consulting your doctor about any particular health concerns before undergoing ANY new therapy.
Are salt rooms good for anxiety?
Yes! Have you ever noticed how relaxed you feel at the beach? Salt therapy has a relaxing effect on the nervous system and promotes an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Does salt therapy make you tired?
No. It is relaxing, as noted above, and patients report that they leave their session feeling very refreshed.
Is salt therapy good for allergies and asthma?
YES! In fact, to reduce the severity of their symptoms, patients with asthma and allergies should visit the Salt Room two to four times a week during high pollen or pollutant periods.
For asthma sufferers, it opens airways and calms breathing which reduces wheezing and coughing, makes life more comfortable and asthma more manageable. This also prevents overuse of inhalers, a practice that can cause bronchospasm and increase asthma severity.
Can salt therapy help people with COPD or emphysema?
Yes. Patients with COPD and emphysema have found relief in the salt room and typically schedule appointments year-round for maintenance.
How much does a salt therapy session cost?
Individual sessions are $20 per session for pediatric and $45 per session for adult clients, respectively. Multiple-visit passes, 3-month unlimited and 12-month unlimited usage memberships are also available. Cannizzaro Integrative Pediatric Center members receive a discounted rate.
How often should you go to a salt room?
For particular conditions, like asthma, allergies, cold or flu, visiting two to four times per week while symptoms are at their worst are usually very beneficial.
What do you wear in a salt room?
Wear comfortable, casual clothing. Salt easily brushes off your clothing and you will be given disposable booties for your feet to help keep the room sterile.
How do I schedule a salt room session?
Simply call our office at 407-862-1163 to reserve a session time. Or, click here to visit our online booking page. Then get ready for a refreshing breath of salt air!