6 reasons to try Halotherapy!

1. Speleotherapy (Salt cave therapy) has an ancient track record.

Eastern Europe has been benefiting from halotherapy for many years. Known in Europe as Spelotherapy, it is the practice of spending several hours in an underground environment devoid of allergens. The facilities are usually from previously excavated salt mines.   In Hungary, the treatment is recommended by doctors and is even covered by health insurance.  The most well known center was set up 150 years ago, by a Polish physician who noted that salt miners didn’t generally suffer from lung diseases. They carved a natural grotto within the Wieliczka salt mines and the facility became popular among those suffering from respiratory diseases.  This mine is still in use today, as is another salt mine in Bochnia, Poland, which has been active since 1248.  People suffering from allergies, neurological and rheumatoid problems as well as locomotor system dysfunctions are recommended to spend significant time in the mine.​ 

2. Salt is actually good for you.

In the last few decades, we have all gotten familiar with the bad reputation that salt has gotten in mainstream health perspectives. The truth is that real salt is important for many biological processes in the body including regulating your blood pressure, carrying nutrients to your cells and improving brain function.
Standard iodized table salt has been chemically treated to such a degree that it no longer has any value for your body.  You can find a number of natural salts, such as Celtic salt, at your natural food store, while Himalayan salt is considered to be the most nutrient-dense salt of all. Just be sure to go with a high-quality product that is not refined and processed with chemicals.  The vibrant pink color of the Himalayan salt indicates that it is high in minerals and iron. In fact, this specific salt contains 84 different trace minerals that help to regulate different functions in your body. 

However, in our salt cave, we use pharmaceutical grade salt, which is salt that has been manufactured to be completely pure of any impurities or additives so that it is just pure Sodium Chloride Crystals. 

3. Salt cave studies show....

Though there have been no recent clinical studies regarding Spelotherapy in the U.S., there is some research that suggests there may be beneficial effects to salt therapy.  In 2006, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that inhaling a high concentration of saline improved lung function in cystic fibrosis sufferers. There are hundreds of studies available to the public in Russia and Europe, and halotherapy is a well known regular practice for most europeans. It is covered by insurance across the pond, and is a regularly prescribed therapy for allergy and asthma sufferers. 

4. Relaxation goes hand in hand with Halotherapy

It is no small feat to disconnect from the world in this day and age, but at Strictly Salt of Metairie, thats exactly what you do. At first, we get clients and new members who are a bit aprehensive about leaving their lives in a locker, but after a few sessions we such a significant shift. Our clients are so ready for their break in lives they look forward to their 45 minutes of just unplugging and relaxing. This has done wonders for many of our clients helping to reduce stress levels, anxiety attacks and even in some cases symptoms of depression. Something we would have never even imagined was possible when planning on bringing salt therapy to the community. It has been so wonderful to see some of our members become brighter right before our very eyes, as the little salty oasis has become a special practice in their week. 

5. The Power of Fresh Air

One of the things I laugh about when new clients walk in the door is how taken aback they are with the smell in our facility.  I laugh because, thats exactly the same reaction I had my very first time in a salt cave. I remember speaking to the owner of a salt room in Orlando, and mentioning how fresh it smelled in her facility, and she explained to me that it was due to the concentration of salt in the air. She said "Salt is a natural deodorant.... the 'smell' you are noticing is in fact the absence of smell!" I enjoy walking through the door here at Strictly Salt of Metairie every single day because that blast of clean air hits me and transports me to a calming peace of mind. 

I'm sure that you have heard the old remedy that you should go to the beach when you are having respiratory or skin issues. How many times have you gone to the beach and realized all those problems just went away? It's that clean ocean air! The less allergens and toxins your body is exposed to the better it performs, spending 45 minutes in a halotherapy session is equivalent to a 3 day weekend at the beach! 

6. It's safe for all ages.

Here at Strictly Salt of Metairie we have two rooms, an adult room and a children's room. The children's room is designed to maximize fun during their therapy. The kids are encouraged to walk around on the floor filled with a 6 inch layer of Pink Himalayan salt. The resistance of the salt promotes heavier breathing needed to get the salt to penetrate deep in their lungs and sinuses. The adults aren't left out of the fun, however, I've had several clients tell me they prefer the children's room to the adult room!

Those who are fans of the adult room are hard core fans. They just love the ability to unplug for a whole and relax in the soft glow of our stunning Himalayan Salt wall.