Salt therapy, also known as Halotherapy, is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment that alleviates the health problems associated with colds, flu, asthma, allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, and a host of other respiratory illnesses. It is a modern-day therapeutic method based on the principle of the natural salt mine micro-climate (Speleotherapy), where frequent exposure to the salt produced healing results for miners and others experiencing respiratory illnesses. As you relax in a comfortable, climate-controlled room surrounded by mineral salt, salt micro-particles are emitted into the room and passively enter your lungs to initiate the healing process.
Why it works for the Respiratory Tract and Lungs?
With dry salt aerosol inhalation, the full benefits of bactericide, mucokinetic, hydrophilic and anti-inflammatory properties are realized. Dry salt is super absorbent attracting pollutants and allergens throughout the respiratory tract. The dry salt stimulates the body’s internal processes for cleansing the respiratory system removing build-up of foreign particles that cause various respiratory ailments and ultimately strengthening respiratory function.
Why it works for the Skin?
The micro-particles of salt influence the skin’s protective layer (integument system) and hairs providing healing and aesthetic (cosmetic) benefits by increasing the activity of skin cell ion channels. The process of electrophysiological activity is increased enhancing the protective properties of the skin resulting in Ph normalization, reparative and regenerative processes.
The micro-
particles of salt trigger skin micro-circulation and cellular membrane activity enhancing overall health of the skin. Sodium chloride particles bearing a negative electrical charge come into contact with the skin surface and cause electrical stimulation to the skin cells. This stimulation activates electrophysiological activity, which increases the production of collagen fibers, which is a key process to skin rejuvenation. Additionally, negative ions, which are absorbed into the body during the therapy, help strengthen the immune system by increasing the production capacity of lymph cells. Since some skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are a direct result of immune system failures, this aspect of strengthening the immune system will help improve the body’s reaction to the ailment.
Dry Salt Aerosol Therapy or Halotherapy originated over 100 years in Eastern Europe for the therapeutic wellness of respiratory diseases. The technique is commonly used today throughout the world with documented and consistently positive results. Dry Salt Aerosol has been recognized in Europe for over 50 years for the treatment of breathing and skin problems. In the United States, dry salt aerosol is a natural alternative therapy and not a medical treatment.
Salt aerosol inhalation and the use of saline solutions are not new medical practices. Many people use saline therapy in their home as saline nebulizer or mister for nasal congestion, Epson salt bath for muscle aches/pains, or have used a Nettie pot to clear nasal passages/sinuses or gargled with salt water for a sore throat. In wet aerosol inhalations, the aerosol takes the form of a mist or fine droplets. Although this therapy has benefits, the overall effectiveness is limited because the wet droplets only reach the upper respiratory tract not reaching the sinuses, lungs, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli, the deepest part of the lungs. This reduces the salt’s therapeutic efficacy because it does not get inhaled deep into the respiratory tract where the salt’s effect would be most needed.
The Science
The main effective factor is a therapeutic breathing environment that is saturated with dry sodium chloride aerosol at a mass concentration varying from 1-16 mg/m3 with a particle size of 1-5 micron. Particle size is optimal for penetration into all sections of the respiratory tract.
Dry sodium chloride aerosol has a considerable level of negative charge of the particles (6-10 nK/m3). The inner surfaces of the airways have a slight positive charge. Negatively charged particles of dry sodium chloride aerosol move into the lumen of the respiratory tract and settle more intensively than neutral particles. In addition, the negative charge increases aerosol stability. Thus dry aerosol action is much more effective than one that is moist (saline solution). The use of dry salt aerosol allows the creation of optimal temperature and humidity parameters in the therapy room, thus avoiding respiratory tract mucus edema and bronchial spasm – common reactions in patients when moist saline aerosols are used. Furthermore, the dose of sodium chloride received by the client within a one (1) 45 minute therapy session is less than the dose received while inhaling moist sodium chloride aerosol.
One of the pathogenesis mechanisms of obstructive lung diseases is the muco-cellular clearance disturbance. Sodium chloride aerosol improves the rheological properties of the airway’s content and normalizes muco-cellular clearance. Sodium chloride is necessary for normal functioning of the bronchial ciliated epithelium, whereas the sodium chloride content in the bronchial secretion of patients with chronic lung diseases decreases. Dry Salt Aerosol’s therapeutic influence, the beneficial effects in improving respiratory tract drainage function are evident during Halotherapy: relief of sputum expectoration, reduction of sputum viscosity, relief of coughing and positive changes in the auscultation picture of the lungs.
Sodium chloride aerosol provides a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect on respiratory tract micro flora and stimulates alveolar macrophage reactivity, facilitating the increase of phagocyte elements and their activity.
Cyto bacteriological research on the bronchial and nasopharyngeal content of patients with asthma, chronic obstructive bronchitis and cystic fibrosis demonstrates the fact that Halotherapy promotes the reduction of neutrophils and pathogenic microorganisms and increases alveolar macrophages. Its inhibitory effect on the growth and vital capability of microorganisms is accompanied by loss of their pathogenic properties and by adaptation to changed conditions. This adaptation, owing to the loss of fluid, leads to the enhancement of their hydrophobic properties, facilitating attachment to epithelial cells. However, the activation of microbial adhesion does not occur due to the increase of the epithelial cells’ electrophysiological functional activity. Moreover, the colonization resistance of epithelial cells is enhanced under the effect of dry sodium chloride aerosol. This indicates its favorable action on the protective properties of respiratory tract cells and activation of non-specific body defense.
The superficial skin autoflora of most patients normalizes after Halotherapy sessions. Halotherapy has a positive effect on the humoral and cellular immunity of patients with chronic lung diseases. The reduction of IgE (Immunoglobulin E) levels after Halotherapy in patients with asthma is especially important. Optimal temperature and humidity, hypoallergenic and hypobacterial air medium are maintained in the Halo Therapy Room breaking patient contact with pathogenic external air factors has an additional positive influence on the organism.
Source: Speleotherapy Clinic http://www.halotherapy.com
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