Salt Therapy

Halotherapy, Helping the Caribbean breathe easy

2012-02-26T08:48:00.003-08:00

By Andy Salandy ACCA CA / 2012-01-27 22:27:28

Founded by Glynis Brewster, the CariBreeze Wellness Spa, home of the Caribbean’s first Halotherapy room, was established to provide a total wellness center in Trinidad and Tobago. A registered nurse with over thirty years experience in health care, Glynis has an unparalleled enthusiasm for seeing and helping people achieve their very best by empowering them in body, mind and spirit. As a main part of her wellness spa she has innovatively instituted Halothearpy, a non-intrusive, natural treatment for various respiratory illnesses as well as other diseases.

Tell us about your company Caribreeze Wellness Spa Ltd?

“Caribreeze is a wellness spa geared towards the potential health and wellness of the client. We provide health education, coaching and dietary supplements to achieve your optimum health. Apart from Halotherapy we are also independent distributors of Herbalife and offer other products and services which positively impact holistic health”

Why Halotherapy as part of your services?

“I have always been interested in health. Over the years my studies and practice have focused mainly on preventative health care and from this I became interested in alternative remedies. It was while visiting the UK in 2010, a colleague told me about halo (salt) therapy so we decided to try it. My friend, my granddaughter and I did the session together. At first I was skeptical because I felt absolutely nothing, but it was when my friend, who is a smoker, said she was feeling a sensation at the back of her throat I also noted that my young granddaughter developed a runny nose. It wasn’t until just about two hours after my session I felt a dull sensation in my chest soon after which I started to feel mucus in my lungs. I realized at that time the therapy had a very positive effect on my respiratory system. It was like a cleansing and my breathing was positively affected. My friend and my grand daughter also had very positive results which inspired me to immediately begin researching more about the process and its benefits. I felt this was definitely a process needed in the Caribbean”

What type of illnesses does Halotherapy treat?

“Mainly respiratory illnesses. Salt therapy has been clinically proven to bring significant relief from symptoms of various illnesses without the use of drugs. These illnesses include allergies, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthmas, common cold, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and even stress. Paediatric asthma cases in different countries have seen a high success rate using Halotherapy. After 1 or 2 yrs many children have been taken off large doses of inhalers and steroids. Children and adults alike respond quickly to the complimentary therapy, and whether the child is suffering from allergies, asthma or any kind of infection, Salt Therapy assists in reducing inflammation, opening passageways, alleviating tightness of the chest, loosening mucus and killing bacteria.

Explain more of the procedures and science behind Halotherapy?

Usually by referrals, clients can book their appointment at the spa between Monday to Saturday, 6am to 8pm. Once at the spa, clients are interviewed specifically about their health history and lifestyle and what are their aspirations. The procedure is very simple, you enter the salt room and make yourself comfortable. While you relax and breathe naturally the micro-climate clears and cleanses the respiratory system. Positive ions are converted to negative ions which strengthens the immune system. There are no microbes or allergens so the immune system gets a chance to rest. After this the defenses begin to work alone. Many of our problems start when the immune system breaks down and because we are exposed to so much pollution it is ever more important to clean the lungs in order to avoid developing asthma or terminal illnesses. Pulmonary Critical Care physicians have explained that while Halotherapy does not replace conventional medicine the ‘Salt therapy acts as an anti oxidant reducing inflammation in the airways’.

Background on Salt Therapy

Halotherapy is derived from speleotherapy - the treatment in the natural salt caves, mined for rock salt. These salt deposits were formed as horizontal salt beds in ancient oceans and were later buried deeply beneath sediments as mountains eroded. Although virtually unknown in North America, Speleotherapy has been practiced in salt caves of Eastern and Central Europe for over 150 years. During the late 18th century the doctors noticed that the workers of salt mining industry never suffered from bronchial or lung diseases, which they realized was due to high salt aerosol content in the mines. In a modern version of this ancient therapy halogenerators are being used in a controlled environment to offer the benefits of the natural deposits found in rock salt. These minerals when concentrated in an enclosed area with stable air temperature, humidity and the absence of airborne pollutants, offer tremendous relief to the respiratory system. These salt particles are then small enough to penetrate deep into the lung tissue.

Local Testimonials

Jocelyn Henry, 65, Santa Cruz Trinidad,

“I suffer with chronic bronchitis and got the cold in July 2011 I have been on a lot of medication since. A friend offered to take me to Caribreeze to try the treatment so I did. I immediately felt an improvement in my breathing, and my sinuses were clearing up. After the first day my body was basically rejecting mucus from my lungs, stomach and nasal passages. I can honestly say that I am breathing at least 95% better than I was before.”

Ms. Regis, Laventille/ Choir member

“I suffer with asthma and serious sinus problems, most mornings I wake up coughing. I heard of Caribreeze and I decided to try a session. During the treatment I felt relaxed but felt a light scratching at the back of my throat. After the first session I found that my breathing had improved and shortly after started experiencing a runny nose and coughing up mucus. After that I found I had no cold or sinus issues and I am singing much better as my breathing is better as well.”

Selwyn Leon, 51, Painter/Builder

“I do construction and painting. I had to work on a concrete project demolishing a floor one day. That night I couldn’t sleep because I was extremely stuffy and had difficulty breathing. I went to Caribreeze for my first session and was somewhat skeptical. As I sat in the room I had no clue that I was being treated. That night I slept uninterruptedly and after two days I realize that I was breathing much better. I am truly amazed and will be going back, will definitely recommend it to anyone.”

For further information on Halotherapy contact us at 868-392-1760, 487-1626, 222-9804, email caribreezewellnesspatt@gmail.com or visit Caribreeze Wellness Spa on Facebook.

Article in "Mamino Sunce", written by dr Greta Gunek-Mačukat (Croatia)

2012-02-14T04:40:00.001-08:00

Halotherapy is a therapeutic method and has a number of beneficial effects on organ systems, particularly on respiratory system through inhaling the dry salt aerosol in salt room which is copies the conditions in natural salt caves. The conditions in the salt room are controlled - the air temperature is 18-24 C, humidity 40% -60%, the average particle size of salt 2-5um, the air is free of allergens, salt concentration 0.5 mg/m3 and higher.

It is a complementary therapy, numerous studies have proven its effectivness, it isn't harmful, and the costs of treatment are acceptable. Unfortunately, this method of treatment is undeservedly in the shadow of medication therapies.

In recent decades, numerous scientific articles were written that prove the effectiveness of halotherapy on respiratory diseases.

Parents are interested in this form of therapy when it comes to their children, since it is a method of treatment which has a small number of contraindications and side effects, and for children it causes no traumas. From our experience, most patients are children of kindergarten age. Halotherapy is effective on infants, especially in eliminating the accumulated mucus in the upper airways, during the banal respiratory infection. Due to specificity of infancy we advise a great caution and make sure to review the child and have good cooperation with the personal physician before you begin halotherapy. Constant medical supervision is required which is why it is necessary that in this instance, salt rooms are operated by the medically trained personnel. To achieve a therapeutic effect we suggest 15-20 treatments (certainly not less than 10). After the first few treatments there may be an initial worsening of symptoms in terms of intense coughing, wheezing that is in most cases, the expected transient response after reaching the elimination of secretions from the respiratory tract and does not require interruption of therapy.

Salt cocoon at Poliklinika Helena, Croatia

Approach to the patient should be individual, in this sense that the salt aerosol concentration, frequency, length of treatment depends on age, types of disease and response of the individual.

In Croatia halotherapy is still in the private domain and therefore is not recognized and supported by a doctor in true sense.

Children's Policlinic in Zagreb in cooperation with the manufacturer of halogenerators IIRIS from Estonia and regional representative of IIRIS halogenerators from Samobor, Natalis Samobor Ltd and Natalis salt room plans to conduct a controlled halotherapy with medical monitoring of their patients and clients. This will show the effects of halotherapy on children with asthma, bronchitis, frequent respiratory infections and atopic dermatitis.

Our wish is that this natural method for complementary treatment and rehabilitation is carried out under controlled standardized conditions with medical supervision, and thus takes its rightful place. Following the example of Estonia, Russia and Canada we want that halotherapy finds its place in Health care system in Croatia!

Salt cocoon presented at Estonian National TV

2012-01-31T09:01:00.000-08:00

It was really nice to receive another invitation by the University of Tartu to come and present the salt cocoon as an example of the successful cooperation project between enterprises and the university. This time the invitation was to come and present the salt cocoon at ETV morning programme - a channel that everybody watches in the morning. I have uploaded the video of the presentation - the head of the show, Ms Katrin Viirpalu, really enjoyed being inside the cocoon...
Watch the video with English subtitles!

Salt cocoon and IIRIS halogenerators exhibited in Ireland last summer.

Salt Therapy in salt cocoon - how it works?

2012-01-13T03:35:00.000-08:00

Recently, our company has been addressed with several questions regarding the salt cocoon - why is it good; for whom and how it works.

In a salt cocoon, it is possible to get even closer contact with the salt aerosol than in big salt rooms. The salt aerosol comes either from behind the patient's neck (Saltarium) or where his/her feet are located (IIRIS). In first case, the patient sits, in second case he/she is in a lying position.
The privacy is guaranteed and relaxing music or stories (for kids) can be listened during the sessions (avg 20 min) while the salt aerosol provides relief to respiratory tract, skin, body and mind.

How the salt cocoons work?

In-depth studies were carried out by Tartu Univeristy in Estonia in order to study the characteristics of the salt aerosol inside the salt cocoon. In result, we elaborated 3 pre-set curative regimes for the salt cocoons which provide salt aerosol concentration up to16 mg/m3 (recommended in existing research). The values of the regimes are illustrated on a following graph:

The salt particle sizes:

From the first graph it is possible to see that each regime provides concentrations in a different range:
1) the lowest being the most suitable for people with asthma, bronchitis and similar (concentration up to 2 mg/m3);
2) the second in case of chronic sinusitis, smoker's cough, pharyngitis, colds & cough etc (concentration up to 9 mg/m3);
3) the third in case of dermal problems (dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, skin infections etc), arthritis and movement difficulties, stress, skin improvement purposes (beauty) etc (concentration up to 16 mg/m3).

From the second graph it is possible to see that most of the salt particles are within the range of
0,01 - 4 microns.

The standard time of the session is 20 minutes.
If a person has several serious health concerns, eg asthma and dermatitis at the same time, it is recommended to choose the regime suited for asthma and move forward to higher regimes if the person/doctor feels comfortable with that.

Salt cocoon at children' clinic in Croatia. Decorated nicely for kids.

Salt therapy in salt cocoons has following advantages:
-you can choose the curative regime which is the most suitable for you;
-salt cocoons are very is easy to operate;
-you can relocate the salt cocoons;
-you can locate them in tiny facilities;
-you have a close contact with the salt aerosol;
-privacy is guaranteed;
-it fits mother with the child.

If a person or a doctor decides to administer different concentrations, then it is possible to choose the manual settings of the salt generator which enables to adjust the mill, feeder and fan speeds manually.

Where is it possible to try the salt cocoons or to get more information locally?

Kokkonen LLC (manufacturer)
Elva hospital, Estonia
Adeli Rehabilitation Centre, Estonia
Salt Spot LLC, USA
Salts of the Earth Ltd, Australia
Salt Therapy Spa Ltd, Ireland
Helena Children' Clinic, Croatia
Saldium Geral, Portugal
Salt Rooms Ltd, Israel
Saltrummet, Sweden

Saltarium

Research in English

2012-01-12T01:01:00.000-08:00

There are just few pieces of serious research on halotherapy which is also available in English - most of the research that we trust, is in Russian and soon I am planning to give an overview of this research. Here are the links to research reports in English which we trust:

1) Dr Alla Chervinskaya, Central Medical Unit of Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Saint-Petersburg: Halotherapy for Treatment of Respiratory Diseases

2) Dr Alla Chervinskaya, Central Medical Unit of Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Saint-Petersburg: Halotherapy in Dermatology and Cosmetology

Ancient treatment revamped

2012-01-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

Salt therapy is gaining massive popularity with special treatment rooms being set up to help those suffering from a range of medical conditions...This is told at Australia News Tonight.

The overview contains several testimonials of people who have found relief from salt therapy. IIRIS salt therapy representative in Australia, Mr David Lindsay, explains:

"During sessions, machines grind up pharmaceutical salt to a fine dust that is then dispersed into the room and inhaled. What the salt then does is it naturally draws fluid to it, so therefore it helps relieve the inflammation of the airways. It then naturally breaks up all the congestion."
Salt therapy has Therapeutic Goods of Australia approval, but Linsday is now pushing for a Medicare rebate.

Check this link to get a short video overview or to read the full text.

Salt room in Dorpat Spa, Tartu, Estonia

An amazing salt therapy testimonial - Australia

2012-01-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

This video shows to whom and how the salt therapy has been of benefit...the Salt therapy room in Bondi Junction, Sydney at A Current Affair on 3 January 2012 ---WATCH THE VIDEO

Salt therapy room in Australia

IIRIS Salt Therapy Christmas Greetings!

2011-12-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

New salt therapy centre open in Australia - watch the TV clip !!

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a TV clip which was made when the new salt therapy centre opened in Australia few months ago. This clip explains what is salt therapy and why is it good.

Kids' room in Australia

Best New Business award !!

2011-12-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

Salt Therapy Spa in Ireland was recently shortlisted for the Best New Business award in the Fingal Business Excellence Awards 2011, finishing in the top three on the night. These Awards are organised annually by the Fingal Dublin Chamber and recognise the efforts of companies to promote excellence in the quality of their products, services and customer care.

The ceremony was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel and was attended by 300 of the region's top business people.General Manager, Scott Lindsay commented, "While it was disappointing not to have won, we are happy with the recognition of the work being done, in contributing to the health of the people of Dublin and all those who attend our centres.To date we have been visited by almost 4,500 people and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. So, a big thank you to everyone who has visited us, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012!"

What is Halotherapy?

2011-11-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

The articles "What is Halotherapy" was published in Australia's nr 1 natural health site...it explains in simple words what is salt therapy (=halotherapy) and why is it good.

IIRIS salt room in Australia

"To The Future, With An Elevator"

2011-10-28T03:32:00.000-07:00

On 25 October, our company was invited by Tartu University to present the salt cocoon at the seminar for entrepreneurs called "To The Future, With An Elevator". The seminar was organized by the Enterprise Estonia. The Enterprise Estonia funded our innovation project with Tartu University in order to study the characteristics of the salt aerosol, produced by IIRIS-136 salt generator, inside the salt cocoon. In result of the project, we have an updated version of IIRIS-136 with 3 pre-set regimes of operation. Each regime provides different salt aerosol concentrations.

At the seminar, people could familiarize themselves with Saltarium salt cocoon.

I gave an interview to the Estonian Public Broadcasting about the project, about salt therapy and about the salt cocoon - an innovative device for personal salt therapy.

Even quite tall men can fit into the salt cocoon

The Mysterious Salt Therapy Repels the Drugs

2011-10-17T21:47:00.000-07:00

This article, published in Estonian Postman (Postimees) in 2003, starts with the story of a 2,5 years old Hanna Simona who got relief from salt therapy to her exhausting bronchial asthma. Now, she doesn’t have to use so many drugs as before. “Hanna Simona’s immune system has really become stronger” explained her mother Jaana Allas who confesses that at the kinder garden, Hanna used to be the first who catches a virus or a cold. When her mother notices some signs of the coughs, she immediately hurries to the salt room. Usually, the relief is noticed after 2 weeks but this time, 2 days already gave the positive result.

The ear-nose-throat doctor Ljudmila Fjodorova explained that salt therapy is a good way to prevent viral diseases. Meanwhile, Dr Fjodorova reminded that everything depends on the diagnosis. For example, in case of strong asthma (or any other serious illness), one should not quit their drugs.

The owner of the salt room Ms Juta Käärik is motivated by the patients’ satisfaction and opens up a second salt room. “People with skin diseases sometimes want more privacy” she explains.

The nurse at the salt room, Ms Eda Suits, has also heard much content from the patients: the improvement has been noticed in case of the inflammation of the sinus(es), breathtaking asthma, acute skin diseases and even the infection at the root of the tooth. Usually, the disease becomes aggressive for some time after the session(s) in order to completely back away afterwards.

The salt therapy relives asthma and chronic bronchitis; infections in upper respiratory system and sinuses; chronic colds, cough and tonsillitis; skin diseases; allergic infections; stress, insomnia and anxiety.

Salt therapy is not recommended in case of acute viral diseases and high fever; tuberculosis; heart failures.

Halotherapy in respiratory diseases of children - results

2011-10-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

Conclusion

WRITTEN BY

Dr Greta Gunek Mačukat, dr.med. spec. Pedijatar (Poliklinika za dječje bolesti „Helena“, 10000 Zagreb)

Irena Majica (Natalis slana soba, Samobor)

Nina Bencek (Natalis slana soba, Samobor)

Halotherapy is a method of treatment, especially effective for respiratory diseases. The most commonly used as a complementary form of therapy in asthma, often independently of respiratory infections, particularly upper respiratory tract. Parents are interested in this form of therapy when it comes to their children, since it is a treatment method that has a small number of contraindications and side effects and children does not constitute trauma. From our experience, most patients are children of kindergarten age. Halotherapy is effective on infants, especially in eliminating the accumulated mucus in the upper airways, during banal respiratory infection. Given the specificity of infancy we suggest caution and the mandatory inspection and good cooperation by the personal physician before you begin halotherapy. There is also a need for constant medical supervision which is necessary for medically trained personnel in the salt rooms. To achieve a therapeutic effect suggest 15-20 treatments (certainly not less than 10).After first few treatments there may be an initial worsening of symptoms in terms of intense coughing, wheezing, that is in most cases, the expected transient response after reaching the elimination of secretions from the respiratory tract and does not require discontinuation of therapy. Access to the patient should be individual, in this sense of salt concentration, frequency, length of therapy depends on age, type of disease and response of the individual. Most of the research of halotherapy effect on respiratory diseases have been conducted on adults. Since children are more frequent users of halotherapy, further research should be in the pediatric population.

The secret of the salt room

2011-10-08T02:31:00.000-07:00

The following article was published in 2001 in magazine The Family and Home & in Estonian web-based women newsletter The Women World. It starts by saying that in life, it is often so that everything new is actually the long-forgotten "old". The same applies to the salt therapy: its effects were known centuries ago but in modern Estonia it is a new method which was introduced to people just few years ago. More precisely, the salt rooms were first introduced in Estonia 6 years ago (eg 1995). They were first built in sanatoriums but later also in health centers as well as Tallinn's Children Hospital (= the biggest children hospital in Estonia).

Dr Lea Salistu tells that the salt rooms suit especially well for the asthmatics: the sputum can be coughed out, the gasping lessens. The tiny salt particles also kill bacteria and fungi on the skin and reduces the mucosa swelling. Sometimes, people start coughing even more. This should not be taken as alarm - quite the contrary - it is part of the healing process. The nurse who administers at the salt room, Ms Ludmilla Kostenko wotnesses that she has not suffered any viral diseases for couple of years (due to the difficult climate, most Estonians have at least some kind of virus every winter. In case of children, it is even more frequent).

The article goes on to remind that despite wonderful effects, salt therapy is not suitable for everyone. Salt therapy is not recommended in case of:
-acute viral diseases
-acute asthma and asthmatic seizures
- actue lung diseases and tuberkulosis
-heart failure
-high blood pressure (this is being argued).

The following questions should be asked before deciding whether salt therapy is recommended for an individual:
-is it a good time for salt therapy or the patient should continue with the prescription medication for right now?
-is the administration of salt therapy justified?
-how high the salt aerosol concentration must be?

Salt room is not the arrest chamber

2011-10-08T01:52:00.000-07:00

The heading of this article is a bit funny but in Estonian language, the arrest chamber or the detention room is called the "salt kiosk". So that's why the heading is such. Anyways, the article was published in 2001 in Estonia's second most read newspaper - The Estonian Daily News. It reminds people that salt is not just spice - it is a disinfecting agent which kills germs. Being in salt (aerosol) helps to prevent respiratory diseases and throat infections. It facilitates the life of asthmatics and gives relief in case of allergic skin diseases. Overall, it reinforces the immune system.
The article describes promptly how the system works: the salt is being sprayed to the room by the special machine (=the halogenerator). It produces tiny, tiny particles which are capable of penetrating to bronchi of different diameter. The effect is that those tiny salt particles liquefy the secretion and in result, it can be coughed more easily.

"Salt Therapy Reinforces Your Health"

2011-10-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

Estonian Daily Newspaper - the second most read newspaper in Estonia - published this article already in 2001.
"Salt room is like the magic land of the Snow Queen...expect that the white on the walls is salt and it's not cold in the salt room." After few sessions in a salt room, the asthma sufferers are able to breathe easier and children' cough becomes loose (due to mucous release). The manager of the Järvamaa Rehabilitation center, Mr Vaher, assures that it is not necessary to grasp the air while in the salt room. A person can totally relax and sleep for 45 minutes if he/she wishes.
The children can play with trucks in the snow, eg salt transportation, or build the salt caves for their toys.

Further on, the article explains that salt therapy is the most effective in case of asthma and bronchitis. "The salt aerosol enables to cough out the mucous and it enhances the breathing." Mr Vaher also tells about the patient who came with acute sinusitis and already during the 4-5th session, the inflammatory fluid started to come out through the patient's nose. The nurse Ms Krais tells that many people come to salt room for prophylactics and afterward they confirm that colds and viral diseases don't affect them so easily anymore. This applies very well to children whose resistance to diseases gets reinforced. Ms Krais also states that some people don't feel anything after 14 sessions but later on they admit that their health has really improved.
The costs of salt therapy in a salt room in case of asthma and bronchitis are covered by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. For other diseases, the patient has to pay himself.

"You don't have to put hand on mouth when coughing in a salt room"

2011-09-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

This article was published in one of the very popular newspapers in Estonia in 2005. It starts by telling that in Estonian climate, salt therapy is more effective than vaccinating against the flu. Very often, people in Estonia get a cough which just won't go away - it may stay for weeks and even months. Salt therapy is something that can provide relief to this long lasting condition.
This article also points out that most of the time, no effect is felt after the first session. This is true - it is necessary to take several sessions in a row. Most common routine is 10-14 sessions, preferably on a daily basis.
The article states that children enjoy playing in the salt as a substitute of the sand box...They like it so much that they don't want to leave when the session ends!
The article also states that person who coughs in the salt room doesn't have to put hand on his/her mouth because all bacteria die in the salt aerosol (salt kills bacteria and fungi). "Doctors should recommend salt therapy to people more often", claims one of the patients.
Despite all of this, I still recommend always to put hand on mouth when you cough...even when in salt rooms...:) Do it out of respect to your fellows...)

Welcome note

2011-09-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

It is finally done - the blog which brings together the information about salt therapy from various different sources. I will start by going back to year 2001 and beyond - the time when we created the first IIRIS machines. I will present some articles which were first published, mostly in our small homeland Estonia. At that time, salt therapy had become acknowledged by many health professionals and salt rooms were opened in each spa or sanatorium. Our crew was building constantly and soon, everyone in Estonia knew what is salt therapy and what benefits it brings. But more about this in the articles.

I hope you will enjoy this reading!