On Sunday I visited the Salt Cave for the first time to give salt therapy a go after a friend suggested it to me a few months ago.
I knew nothing about the Salt Cave or salt therapy prior to my visit but a quick google search revealed the Salt Cave is basically a controlled air environment that simulates a natural salt cave. Salt is said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities and the desired effect of the therapy is for the salt to loosen mucus and reduce inflammation which in turn makes more room in the airways for you to breathe.
I've always been open minded about these things and will give anything a go to improve my lungs provided that it's not dangerous. At this stage I think it's too early to say whether it's had all that much of an effect on me or not but I enjoyed the session and would definitely consider doing a few more. Leaving, I also felt like my chest felt a bit clearer but this could also be a placebo effect, the fact that I'm also back at the gym, recovering from a recent infection or a combination of all three!
In all honesty, if I feel better having gone a few more times then I don't really care. If nothing else it was an opportunity for me to relax for an hour in peace and do the crossword whilst taking a proactive step to try and do something to improve my condition.
Has anyone else given salt therapy a go and what do you think of it? Think I'm going to go a few more times to make my own mind up but would be very interested to hear what others think
Written by
dodgylungrunner
British Lung Foundation
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Yeah it's tough to find the time around work. Luckily they do after work and weekends which for me is great but I don't have a family, too, so it's tougher for you. Will keep you posted on how I get on. Best of luck with everything and thanks so much for replying.
I use a Salitair Salt pipe every day. It does help a lot.
You can buy those salt air machines from local chemists now you plug them in while you sleep and they are supposed to be really beneficial in helping to loosen the mucus on your lungs, I haven't bought one yet but I would give it a try I always get a lot of sticky mucus in a morning xx
To be honest I haven't heard of Salt Therapy before or the Salt Cave, but reading about it is really interesting. It's good to know it helps people, I'm pleased for you. 👍
I hadn't either Stumpy! For me it's still too early to really tell whether it's made a difference but based on the other comments and posts that I've subsequently read it seems like others have benefitted.
Sounds like a plan, especially if the breathing is worse because of infection. Spread the word dodgy and good luck to you, take care and let us all know how you get on 🤞😊
There has been a boom in recent years in the availability of ‘salt therapy’ (halotherapy/speleopathy), an alternative therapy method which claims to benefit respiratory health.
What is it?
‘Salt Therapy’ refers to a range of techniques where salt particles are inhaled with the aim of improving symptoms of lung disease. This might be through relaxing in salt-caves, or artificial salt rooms, which are coated in salt and which have salt particles pumped into the air for visitors to inhale. Other methods use salt pipes, inhalers or other devices. Salt Therapy is said to benefit a range of conditions, from cystic fibrosis to asthma, eczema and even bronchiectasis and COPD.
What’s the Evidence?
There is some historical and anecdotal (word-of-mouth) evidence to support the idea of salt caves being of benefit to people’s respiratory health.i However, there is no scientific evidence that salt therapy will have this impact. In addition, those who promote salt therapy do not always agree on the type or amount of salt to be used, the method, or the benefits. Their claims are not based on any reliable scientific research or current medical guidelines.ii
Caution
Chairman of Lung Foundation Australia, Associate Professor David Serisier has said, “there are concerns about the possibility of the warm, moist environment in these salt rooms providing opportunity for the growth of various other bacteria of concern. In addition, salt can irritate the airways.”iii
Lung Foundation Australia is not alone in warning caution about salt therapy. Asthma Australia has also refused to recommend the therapy, explaining that it can trigger a tightening of the airways. Respiratory specialists sometimes use inhalation of concentrated saline (salt) solutions as part of a lung function test, to trigger asthma attacks in patients suspected of having asthma. Without this professional supervision, exposure to salt-enriched air could be potentially dangerous for those with a respiratory condition.iv
Alternative Therapies
Associate Professor David Serisier has advised that the idea of inhaling salty water (hypertonic saline) is, however, a valid therapy suitable for some. There is good evidence that it can reduce exacerbations for patients with cystic fibrosisv, and on this basis some experts believe that it might be a useful therapy and will prescribe it for some patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.vi
Lung Foundation Australia recommends people with a lung condition exercise great caution in the use of salt therapies. We advise you to discuss salt therapy with your General Practitioner or Respiratory Specialist.
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Salt Caves
AEROSURE/Salt Therapy
Salt lamp! 
