Halotherapy
I came across Halotherapy just a few years ago and have been intrigued by it ever since.
It is mostly popular in Eastern Europe and Russia; in fact, I wouldn’t have managed to write this article if it wasn’t for the generosity of some of my colleagues that translated a lot of the data and publications which were mainly in Russian.
This feature is a summary of all the latest Halotherapy methods and techniques used primarily in childhood ailments.
I will also share something that you can use for yourself and your family during the flu season or when feeling under the weather.
But first what is Halotherapy?
Halotherapy or dry salt therapy is a man-made mode of treatment that is performed in a controlled space that simulates a salt cave. Halotherapy originates from its natural counterpart: Speleotherapy.
Speleotherapy involves breathing inside a microclimate such as in old salt mines, grottos or caves. The air in such environments is usually very therapeutic and is saturated with fine salt aerosol.
Speleotherapy was first officially recognized in 1843 by Polish physician Dr Feliks Boczkowski, who noticed that the salt mine workers rarely suffered from respiratory issues.
This is because below the Earth’s surface there are ideal conditions where air pressure, circulation, humidity and temperature affect the quality of the environment. In addition, the miners were receiving many other benefits by breathing in the salt particles.
Impressed with the positive health benefits he witnessed in the salt mines, Dr Boczkowski founded the first medical facility at the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland, for patients with lung disease. It is now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Salt mines or ‘caves’ are used in other countries too, such as Austria (Solzbad-Salzetnan), Romania (Sieged), Azerbaijan (Nakhichevan), Kirgizia (Chon-Tous), Russia (Berezniki - Perm region), and Ukraine (Solotvino-Carpathians & Artiomovsk-Donetsk).
But if you do not live next to a salt mine or have the means to travel there the second-best thing would be to try Halotherapy …
In 1976, Russian doctors and scientists created the first halogenerator, which replicated the conditions of salt mines, and halotherapy was born.
A halogenerator is a device that disperses micro-sized particles of salt (pure grade sodium chloride) into the air via a fan through an opening into a salt therapy room. There should be other factors in place to enhance the therapeutic effect such as having a comfortable temperature (18-24°C), controlled humidity (40-60%) and an allergen and bacteria-free air environment.
Patients will tend to spend a set amount of time between 30 to 60 minutes in the salt rooms in order to breathe in and expose their skin to the salt particles.
The main healing factor happens when the size of the dry sodium chloride aerosol particle is between 2-to-5-micron particles and its particle density is between 0.5-10 mg/m³.
All the clinical studies and research have been performed with medical halogenerator technologies. These have controlled protocols that are being used by medical facilities and hospitals throughout Europe.
The protocols would have different particles sizes, concentration levels and how much salt is being inhaled; depending on the symptoms studied and treated.
Halotherapy was also combined successfully with allopathic medicine and other physiotherapeutic methods such as drainage gymnastics, vacuum thorax massage and kinesiotherapy.
It is important to distinguish that the halotherapy method used in various medical, preventive and sanitary institutions is very VERY different than those ‘Halo-chambers’ that are promoted in wellness centres and spas as part of a treatment package. Although beautiful to look at these treatment rooms are primitive, incorrect and ineffective.
Using Halotherapy in Childhood Ailments
Allergies & Respiratory Diseases
Halotherapy is an effective technology for the medical rehabilitation of children with allergies and respiratory diseases.
It has been used efficiently for acute bronchitis, prolonged pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), sinusitis, ear infections, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, asthma as well as cystic fibrosis.
A pure grade sodium chloride has an antibacterial, antimycotic, anti-inflammatory and draining effect which can effectively influence all sections of the respiratory tract including the pulmonary bronchiole and alveoli in the lungs.
This thins hardened mucus clearing out allergens, toxins, pollen, viruses and bacteria which are then either coughed up or naturally expelled by the body.
With continued sessions, cleansing action on the respiratory system prevents further build-up of excess mucus, improves the intake of oxygen, reduces inflammation and leads to better lung function.
This is a figure taken by Chervinskaya A. v., 1998 that shows the benefits and action steps of dry fine-grained sodium chloride aerosol on the respiratory tract.
Studies have found that a course of halotherapy can improve mild asthma by over 85% and severe asthma by 75%. There was also a decrease in the number and intensity of asthma attacks, which allowed a cancellation or reduction in the dosage of medication.
In addition, long-term effects can be perceived as a reduction in the frequency of exacerbations and chronic symptoms. Thus, halotherapy is a great rehabilitation method for pulmonary diseases management in general.
Salt has also a favourable effect on the mucosa of the nose. 90% of patients with acute sinusitis felt relief after 2-3 inhalations of the pure grade aerosol of dry sodium chloride.
The application of halotherapy in patients with hay fever or allergic rhinitis was as effective, reducing symptoms by 72% - 87% of the time.
The method of Halotherapy was authorized by the Russian Ministry of Public Health in 1989, below is the duration of treatment for respiratory diseases according to the ministry of public Health of The Russian Federation:
Asthma (mild): 12-14 days
Asthma (severe): 18-21 days
Acute bronchitis: 12-14 days
Recurrent bronchitis: 12-14 days
Chronic simple bronchitis: 18-21 days
Chronic obstructive bronchitis: 18-21 days
Pneumonia after the acute stage: 12-14 days
Cystic fibrosis: 20-25 days
Chronic sinusitis: 14-18 days
Acute sinusitis: 3-5 days
Hay fever: 12-14 days
For best results, patients should try to complete sessions as consecutively as possible - daily is best, but at least 3 times a week are usually needed for challenging cases.
Back-to-back sessions - two in a row - can be greatly beneficial for sinus and skin conditions, though are not always recommended for chronic lung conditions.
Eczema and other skin conditions
The salt particles in Halotherapy provides symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of skin conditions including Eczema, dermatitis, dry & flaky skin, acne, psoriasis, rashes, rosacea, skin ageing and skin inflammation.
Healing effects of the superficial and deeper layers of the skin can be seen in 65 to 75% of the time.
This is because the dry salt aerosol improves microcirculation by depositing on open skin areas, it then increases the activity of skin cell ion channels, activates electrophysiological activity which leads to pH normalisation and improving the skin’s protective properties and rigidity.
Cold symptoms
Halotherapy has been used as an effective remedy to prevent colds in children and also boost their immune systems.
It is a great treatment of rehabilitation for children who are frequently ill and have long-lasting colds as it can diminish the risk of recurrence.
Something that I frequently use at home in flu season is the Salin Plus salt air purifier therapy device. I have found it to work beautifully as prevention and when congested, as it minimises symptoms and speeds up recovery effectively.
Quality of Life
Halotherapy is usually conducted in a pleasant and cosy environment which has beneficial effects on the psycho-emotional state of patients. In addition, salt produces negative ions which boost immune functions, reduce stress and fatigue, help regulate sleep patterns and moods as well as influence cognitive performance and alertness. Positive results can last for more than a year.
The Salt Therapy Association recommends using halotherapy as a continuous preventive measure to strengthen the immune system as well as enhancing the overall respiratory hygiene affected by today’s poor air quality.
Practical experiences have also shown that halotherapy is advisable for children and adolescents as a preventative measure seeing that some countries are looking to implement it in daycare and school facilities.
COVID-19
When the pandemic hit, I was curious to know if Halotherapy was used in some of the hospital settings as part of a recovery programme for post-Covid or Long Covid.
It seems that the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland has been helping people recover from COVID-19, with patients going deep underground for the therapeutic effects. It has also taken the lead in establishing rehabilitation programmes for long Covid, launching a facility for post-Covid-19 patients.
Contraindications
Halotherapy is recognized as a safe and effective practice for preventive and restorative health care. Halotherapy is not recommended for people with hyperthyroidism, contagious diseases, acute stage blood disorders, fever, open wounds, malignant diseases, severe hypertension, cardiovascular and respiratory failure and active tuberculosis.
It is vital to get advice from your doctor, paediatrician or specialist before trying any new treatment.
Final Thoughts
It is important to find out everything you can about the salt room you intend to visit. For example, what method of salt therapy they use, what type of salt and how much salt they use, what conditions are maintained inside of the room, how they manage hygiene in the room, what medical guidelines they follow, and so on.
References+
Alexandrov A., Chervinskaya A. Application of dry sodium chloride aerosol in upper respiratory pathology. Annual Congress of European Respiratory Society (abstr.), Barcelona, 1995.- P. 392
Barber D, Malyshev Y, Oluyadi F, Andreev A, Sahni S. Halotherapy for Chronic Respiratory Disorders: From the Cave to the Clinical [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 20]. Altern Ther Health Med. 2020;AT6413.
Barber, D., Malyshev, Y., Oluyadi, F., Andreev, A., & Sahni, S. (2020). Halotherapy for Chronic Respiratory Disorders: From the Cave to the Clinical. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, AT6413. Advance online publication.
Bar-Yoseph R, Kugelman N, Livnat G, Gur M, Hakim F, Nir V, Bentur L. Halotherapy as asthma treatment in children: A randomized, controlled, prospective pilot study. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017 May;52(5):580-587.
Chervinskaya A et al.: Effect of halotherapy in patients with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. XV International Congress of allergology and clinical immunology, Sweden, 1994, 175.
Chervinskaya A. Halotherapy for rehabilitation of pulmonary patients in Russia. The Europ. Respir. Journ.- V.10.- Suppl.25.-1997.- P.108.
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Chervinskaya A.V: Possibilities of halo therapy application in dermatology and cosmetology in sanatoria and health resorts. Kurortnye vedomosti, 2006, 3 (36), 74-75. (In Russian).
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DR NAUF ALBENDAR
My name is Dr Nauf AlBendar and I am the founder of The Womb Effect. As a medical scientist with a BSc in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, an MSc in Nutrition & Food Science and a PHD in clinical medicine, I have developed a deep appreciation and understanding for the developmental origins of health and disease.