Amani Spa - Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg is the first spa in Africa to have a Therapeutic Salt Room.
What is salt therapy and how does it work?
The use of salt therapy, otherwise known as halotherapy, can be traced back to the mid 18th century, when a polish health official, Felix Botchkowski, noticed that salt miners never became ill with lung diseases. In 1843 he wrote a book about his findings, and it was not long afterwards that the first Salt Spa in Velicko, Poland, was opened.
Medical researchers in the former Soviet Union tested various alternatives to drug therapy, and conducted extensive clinical trials on the effects of salt therapy for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchitis.
The healing properties of salt are documented in allopathic medicine (allopathy is the treatment of disease by conventional means i.e. with drugs having an opposite effect to the symptoms). The largest and oldest salt works in Europe is located in the royal salt mines of Wieliczka, Poland, about 12 km outside of Krakow. It is here that a hospital was carved out of the immense salt mountain, 225 metres below the surface and asthmatics and patients with lung disease and allergies are treated, with a staggering healing rate of over 90%.
Many allergic conditions and autoimmune processes are caused by or are side effects of medicines. Furthermore, treatment by medication does not restore the body's own defense mechanism. As a result, many physicians and patients are investigating medication-free treatment methods.
The natural microclimate of the Salt Mines is replicated in the Therapeutic Salt Room at Amani Spa with the aid of a Dry Saline Diffuser. The agent used in the Salt Rooms is ionized salt, obtained from natural sources. The salt does not evaporate, thus creating a dry therapy.
Halotherapy refers to the mode of treatment in a controlled air medium that simulates a natural salt cave microclimate. The natural dry sodium chloride aerosol is the major curative factor of the cave microclimate. It is formed by the convective diffusion from salt walls. Other factors such as a comfortable temperature and humidity regime, together with hypo-bacterial and allergen-free air environment, enhance the therapeutic effect.
The Therapeutic Salt Room at Amani Spa, Radisson Blu Hotel, is a unique room that resembles a cave in a salt mine – the walls and floor are entirely covered with salt - five tons of organic Kalahari salt in total.
Salt Therapy has successfully been used to treat the following ailments:
Allergies – Numerous people suffer from allergies, and whilst they are treatable with medication, this provides a temporary solution. Salt Therapy provides instant relief, but also prevents the recurrence of allergies. Salt therapy provides relief by widening the airways of the respiratory tract, destroying bacteria and reducing the inflammation of the respiratory tract, Salt therapy will aid in decreasing the swelling of the nasal mucosa, which cause nasal blockage. The nasal passages will open and the sinuses will drain.
Asthma – Asthma is controlled using medication, but Salt Therapy will not only ease your symptoms, but also prevent the frequent recurrence of asthma attacks. Salt Therapy widens the airways as well as humidifies and fluidises the bronchial secretions in the bronchial tree, thus reducing the broncho-spasm. Halotherapy provides natural asthma treatment as it absorbs the oedema from the mucosa lining the airway passages, having natural non-steroidal anti-inflammatory properties. Asthma suffers have found that their breathing improves after just a few sessions, which also decrease coughing and tightness in the chest.
Bronchitis – As the weather changes, many adults and children are afflicted by bronchitis. Prescription drugs can bring temporary relief, but Salt Therapy will treat the infection, clearing the lungs of accumulated mucous, and making it easier to breath. Salt Therapy will also improve lung function, bring relief by reducing the inflammation of the lungs, and killing bacteria. Large amounts of mobilized mucous will be expelled, alleviating tightness of the chest and wheezing.
Colds & Flu – Billions of people are infected with colds and flu every year, and while medication provides temporary relief, it is easy to become re-infected with the virus. Salt Therapy will bring relief by opening the nasal airways, killing bacteria, and facilitating the drainage of the sinuses. Halotherapy accelerates the clearing of mucous from the lungs. A few sessions will eliminate sneezing and coughing as well.
Cystic Fibrosis – One of the most life-threatening diseases in the world, salt therapy not only provides relief, but can also prevent the recurrence of symptoms. Sufferers find that Salt Therapy opens the respiratory tract; clearing accumulated mucous and unclogging blockages in the bronchi and bronchioles. Salt Therapy also absorbs oedema from the mucosa lining the airways, and reduces inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Dermatitis – Inflammation of the skin or dermatitis can be alleviated with the use of medication, however there are often nasty side effects. Salt Therapy provides sufferers with immediate relief but also keeps sufferers free from skin irritation for an extended period of time. The salt particles have favourable effects on the blood circulation to the hair and skin. The salt particles have anti-inflammatory properties – reducing inflammation, and will also kill bacteria and fungi.
Ear Infections – While ear infections are most common in children, adults can also be afflicted. Salt therapy can treat the symptoms of ear infections, as well as prevent the infection from recurring.
Eczema – Medication brings temporary relief from eczema, but has harmful side effects. Salt Therapy offers immediate relief and also keeps skin free from irritation for and extended period of time. Salt therapy will come to the aid by activating multiple physiological processes in the body. The salt particles will also kill bacteria and fungi, and has anti-inflammatory properties, thus reducing itching.
Emphysema – There is no cure for emphysema, however salt therapy has been successfully used to alleviate discomfort and improve quality of life, and easy the symptoms of emphysema by improving the function of the lungs. Inflammation of the air passages is reduced, blockages are unclogged and the normal transport of mucous is restored. Salt therapy also clears the respiratory tract of allergens like pollen and tobacco smoke. It reduces infection in the lungs by destroying bacteria. Salt therapy strengthens immunity and builds up resistance to illness.
Hay Fever (Rhinitis) – While prescription and over-the-counter medication helps ease the symptoms of hay fever, it does not treat the source of the problem. Halotherapy is a drug-free treatment that treats and prevents hay fever by addressing the source of the condition. This therapy is known to bring instant relief, reducing nasal obstruction, draining the sinuses, cleansing of air-born pathogens from the system means that the eyes and nose will no longer water or itch.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, and halotherapy successfully assists by activating multiple physiological processes in the body, improving the condition of the skin and strengthening the body’s defence system. The salt particles kill bacteria and fungi and possess anti-inflammatory properties, thus reducing the itching sensation of the skin.
Sinusitis – Salt therapy eases the symptoms of sinusitis by opening the blockages in the sinus tract, accelerating the pace of mucous clearance. Salt therapy also reduces infection by killing bacteria. Your immune system will be boosted, thus preventing your body from falling victim to infection again.
Is Salt Therapy safe for children?
It is clinically proven that natural healing methods, such as Salt Therapy, are extremely effective with children. Being non-invasive and medication-free, children are unaware that they are undergoing therapy, as they passively inhale the micro-particles of salt.
How many treatments are needed?
A course of at least eight 40-minute Salt Therapy sessions on consecutive or alternate days, two to three times a year is recommended. Whilst a person may feel some improvement after one session, a series of treatments is best for long-term results.
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