Salt therapy is similar to the charcoal skincare craze in that it is not exactly new but it is currently very trendy. Salt rooms and spas are popping up all over the place, promising relief from respiratory ailments and common skin afflictions like eczema and psoriasis. Individual sessions are typically affordable for most people, averaging between $30 and $75 for a session, which may range from 20 minutes to a full hour. However, salt therapy practitioners recommend regular visits, meaning you could be paying more than $1500 per year if you adhere to a weekly schedule. So, is it worth it? Does salt therapy really live up to its claims?
The Benefits of Salt Therapy
To evaluate if salt therapy is worth its salt (pun intended), you need to know what claims salt therapy spa advocates are making. There isn't much clinical research, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence over more than 100 years that salt therapy has been practiced that indicate it:
- Improves overall respiratory health
- Relieves many respiratory ailments, including asthma and allergies
- Helps cleanse the lungs of environmental irritants, including pollen, smoke and dust
- Reduces frequency and severity of psoriasis flare-ups
- Aids skin's moisture retention
Because salt therapy is delivered in a relaxing environment, the release of stress can enhance these benefits, too.
Expectations vs. Results of Salt Therapy
Whether or not salt therapy lives up to its claims depends largely on what your expectations are for a single session or for ongoing therapy. Results vary widely among those who have tried salt therapy. Some people report amazing changes after a single session. Others don't see or feel much of a difference for a few weeks. The science behind salt therapy and its longevity as a health-boosting practice indicate it is, indeed, a reliable means by which to improve your respiratory and skin health. However, like any safe and reliable approach to improve health and wellness, it's not a quick fix.
You are likely to experience fuller benefits cumulatively in other words, you need to go regularly. And, salt therapy alone is unlikely to do much to reverse years of bad habits or lifestyle choices that may have contributed to poor respiratory and/or skin health, like smoking, drinking, eating a nutrient-deficient diet or chronic exposure to toxins. In short: salt therapy is a promising alternative therapy. You are likely to reap the benefits and avoid disappointment with your results if you are willing to commit to regular sessions in the salt room at your local spa. As with any alternative therapy, consult your healthcare provider first to make sure it is safe for you."
