Halotherapy


Halotherapy (salt therapy) is related to speleotherapy, yet it is based on a different principle. The similarity obviously lies in the fact that old mines are for medicinal treatments. However, we are dealing here with salt mines. Salt is hygroscopic and binds any moisture from the air so that the humidity is 0 %. Whether the CO2 level is elevated depends on the ventilation, usually it is only slightly elevated. The main factor is probably the salt dust in the air, which is absorbed by the mucous membranes when breathing. In addition to respiratory diseases, salt therapy is also said to help with chronic skin diseases.

Halotherapy has not yet gained much acceptance in the West, but in Eastern Europe and Russia it has been carried out successfully in salt mines for decades. However, salt is used in many medical therapies, cures at the sea, spa clinics at the Dead Sea in Israel, and artificial salt caves are now well recognised. Nevertheless, medical proof of their effectiveness has not been provided to the satisfaction of orthodox physicians here either. There are three conditions for which the effectiveness of halotherapy has been truly studied. These are bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis. And in all three cases the scientists found no effect on reducing the respective symptoms.

Salt caves can now be found in many cities. More and more people are visiting them regularly and reporting positive changes. Self-hypnosis obviously plays an important role in this, as does the pleasant, relaxing atmosphere of such treatments. After all, modern salt caves in health resorts or salt chambers are always equipped with comfortable loungers, pleasant music and beautiful lighting. All this creates a relaxing effect that alleviates various external neurological and psychosomatic symptoms. The rest is the placebo effect.

And while we’re at it: salt lamps do not work either. A salt lamp is made in Pakistan and consists of a large, solid reddish salt crystal which serves as lampshade. Another rip-off, where an industry profits from people's desperation and exploits the placebo effect.

Nevertheless, we are happy to list salt mines that offer halotherapy. Even if we are critical of such treatments, visiting one of these mines is definitely worthwhile.