Salt rooms rising in popularity for asthma, allergy sufferers
Published 25 Feb 2016
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, maybe even have trouble sleeping at night, salt may be the answer to your problems.
Salt Therapy is growing in popularity across the country. Many people are turning to salt rooms and spas as a natural alternative for people suffering from a variety of respiratory and skin conditions.
Three years ago, Devin was a healthy and active 7-year-old, until one morning on the soccer field everything changed.
“He dropped to his knees during a soccer game and had a full blown asthma attack,” said Devin’s mother, Gretchen Jackson.
Shortly after, Devin was diagnosed with Exercise Induced Asthma. After multiple failed attempts to get him to use his inhaler, his mother, Gretchen, turned to salt therapy.
“After the first visit he had gotten rid of some congestion we didn't even know he had, and after the next visit, he only used the inhaler once all weekend during sports,” said Jackson.
Salt rooms are becoming increasingly popular, with facilities operated in 33 states. They are used as a natural alternative for people suffering from a variety of respiratory and skin conditions.
“It's really good for people with asthma, allergies, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchitis, cold and flu, also the skin,” said Kelly Fernandez, co-owner of Breathe It In Salt Room in North Little Rock.
Kelly Fernandez opened Breathe It In Salt Room in North Little Rock in November, the first of its kind in the Natural State.
“A lot of people say they feel like they are in a snow globe or they are in an igloo,” said Fernandez.
Salt rooms are filled from floor to ceiling with all-natural salt. Clear salt covers the walls, rock salt is used on the floors and pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride is pumped into the air using salt-generator.
“It’s quiet, it’s relaxing, and it’s healthy!” said Danny Yarborough of Cabot.
At 69-years-old, Danny Yarborough suffers from both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.
“I've had it for about three years now, and I’m always looking for ways to calm her down,” said Yarborough.
Yarborough claims that 45 minutes in the salt room at least once a day has drastically changed his life.
“Since I’ve been going here, I can walk and walk and walk. The only thing that knocks me out now is maybe my joints start hurting!” laughed Yarborough.
Some experts, though, remain skeptical because of the lack of studies done on salt therapy.
Dr. Gene France, Allergist with Little Rock Allergy and Asthma, said while it's always best to consult your doctor, he isn't opposed to his patients trying salt rooms out.
“To use that as an adjunct would be fine to see if it does provide you with benefit,” said France.
Despite the skeptics, Jackson said she swears by salt therapy and believes it has changed her son’s life for the better.
“I was really desperate to find something for my son and this has really worked for him,” said Jackson.
Currently, 33 states including Arkansas, have operating salt rooms.
Breathe It In Salt Room, located at 4560 J.F.K Blvd in North Little Rock, has separate rooms for both children and adults.
A typical session is 45 minutes long and costs anywhere between $20 and $45 depending on age.
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I can not see salt rooms on the NHS here. but have heard this before.
I have a 7 % salt solution through a nebuliser twice a day which has helped in not getting quite as many infections.
I had to wait over 2 years to be considered for the treatment as I was told there was a waiting list - not sure why something as simple as a salt solution through a nebuliser should be difficult
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