Allergy season is hitting us hard this year. I see people all the time with runny noses, red puffy eyes, headaches, exhaustion. They may or may not be taking medication for these symptoms, either prescribed by their physician or bought over-the-counter at a local drug store. These drugs may help their situation short-term but they need to keep taking it and it does not continue to help them. They may have to take more to find continued relief or move on to a different drug with side effects that are worse than the first one.
If you are suffering from allergies this summer and are tired of constantly being on medications, it might be time to try salt therapy. This natural, drug-free method of treating all kinds of breathing conditions has been around for centuries. The benefits of salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, was first realized centuries ago. A physician working at the salt mines in Poland realized that the miners that he cared for did not have the respiratory and skin conditions as miners that worked other types of mines. He went on to study why this might be and came to the realization that the salt was keeping these men healthy. He went on to create a spa in Poland where people go to spend up to two weeks getting the benefits of salt.
Unfortunately, many of us can’t take the time out of our busy lives to travel to Poland to explore a salt cave for two weeks. That is where a halogenerator comes into play.
A halogenerator is a machine that takes salt, dries it out, grinds it up to the size of red blood cells, and disperses it into the air. This salt gets deep into the lungs and has anti-histamine properties similar to the medications that are available to relieve the allergies. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and breathe!
The culture of the salt room is generally one of peace and relaxation where many people meditate, read, or sleep. Some people might use the time to visit with their friends and family. At Just Breathe, we can take children as young as 3 months although we do request that you schedule anyone under the age of 16 during a Family Session.
Many people ask if they can still use the salt room if they have high blood pressure and are on a low-salt diet. The answer is – ABSOLUTELY. The amount of salt that it takes to get therapeutic results are miniscule and inhaling salt is very different from consuming it. In addition, the salt that should be avoided on a low-salt diet is salt that has been stripped of its minerals and that found in processed foods. Dr. Mark Hyman and other functional medicine physicians are realizing that low-salt diets are leading to mineral deficiencies which will lead to medical problems. You may hear more about low salt diets in this interview with James J. DiNicolantonio, PharmD and author of “The Salt Fix.”
Just Breathe has seatings at the top of the hour which are 45 minutes in length. We are currently offering packages of 3 salt sessions for $79 and unlimited visits for $99 a month. To schedule your appointment, go on-line or call us at 508-366-8292. We look forward to helping you breathe easier soon!