With its respiratory and antimicrobial properties, salt- or halo-therapy has been tipped as a key wellness trend in light of COVID-19. As part of a recent series of Global Wellness Institute calls, experts helming a dedicated initiative shared their thoughts on the field.
Harking from Poland, halotherapy is typically offered as a dry treatment using a halogenerator to produce pharmaceutical-grade particles of salt for inhalation in an environment which mimics a salt cave microclimate with dry, cold conditions and no humidity. It can also be carried out through wet methods such as salt-water baths and pools and floatation tanks.
Initiative chair, Steve Spiro of Global Halotherapy Solutions, hosted the conversation and kicked off by highlighting the therapy’s benefits.
Research in 2009, by Russian professor Alina Chervinskaya, suggests that regular halotherapy use can both prevent contraction and relieve symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections.
A more recent paper, published in the Journal of Medicine and Life in 2014, demonstrates how halotherapy can trigger an anti-inflammatory response in people with respiratory conditions. This is a relevant quality as one of COVID-19’s most problematic symptoms is the influx of cytokine storm, a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system, which seems to be what is killing a majority of COVID-19 patients.
Moreover, halotherapy requires little to no therapist contact, which may help spa customers who are nervous about social distancing.
Medical spa owner Lisa Semerly highlighted that salt therapy will be attractive to operators because it doesn’t require labour costs and there’s an accelerated return on investment, as well as having an expansive potential target audience.
She added: “Salt therapy is capable of reducing respiratory symptoms as well as helping with stress reduction, improving overall immune response, easing dermatological conditions and can help athletes improve lung function and increase oxygen saturation to aid recovery.”
Dr Raleigh Duncan, chair and founder of Clearlight Infrared Saunas, concluded with a suggestion of combining infrared sauna therapy and halotherapy to make for an effective complementary treatment against respiratory viruses. The basis of combining the two therapies rests on the fact that the sauna’s dry and warm air will allow for deeper levels of penetration and better absorbency of the salt particles in the bronchi and distal airways.
Key manufacturers of salt-therapy experiences include Halotherapy Solutions, Klafs and Saltability, while Spa Vision and Drom UK distribute salt-therapy equipment.
STUDIES OF NOTE • Lazarescu, H et al. Surveys on therapeutic effects of “halotherapy chamber with artificial salt-mine environment” on patients with certain chronic allergenic respiratory pathologies and infectious-inflammatory pathologies. Journal of Medicine and Life. 2014
• Chervinskaya, Alina. Dry sodium chloride aerosol against acute respiratory infections. European Respiratory Journal, 2009.
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Spa people: Rianna Riego
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With its respiratory and antimicrobial properties, salt- or halo-therapy has been tipped as a key wellness trend in light of COVID-19. As part of a recent series of Global Wellness Institute calls, experts helming a dedicated initiative shared their thoughts on the field.
Harking from Poland, halotherapy is typically offered as a dry treatment using a halogenerator to produce pharmaceutical-grade particles of salt for inhalation in an environment which mimics a salt cave microclimate with dry, cold conditions and no humidity. It can also be carried out through wet methods such as salt-water baths and pools and floatation tanks.
Initiative chair, Steve Spiro of Global Halotherapy Solutions, hosted the conversation and kicked off by highlighting the therapy’s benefits.
Research in 2009, by Russian professor Alina Chervinskaya, suggests that regular halotherapy use can both prevent contraction and relieve symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections.
A more recent paper, published in the Journal of Medicine and Life in 2014, demonstrates how halotherapy can trigger an anti-inflammatory response in people with respiratory conditions. This is a relevant quality as one of COVID-19’s most problematic symptoms is the influx of cytokine storm, a hyperinflammatory condition caused by an overactive immune system, which seems to be what is killing a majority of COVID-19 patients.
Moreover, halotherapy requires little to no therapist contact, which may help spa customers who are nervous about social distancing.
Medical spa owner Lisa Semerly highlighted that salt therapy will be attractive to operators because it doesn’t require labour costs and there’s an accelerated return on investment, as well as having an expansive potential target audience.
She added: “Salt therapy is capable of reducing respiratory symptoms as well as helping with stress reduction, improving overall immune response, easing dermatological conditions and can help athletes improve lung function and increase oxygen saturation to aid recovery.”
Dr Raleigh Duncan, chair and founder of Clearlight Infrared Saunas, concluded with a suggestion of combining infrared sauna therapy and halotherapy to make for an effective complementary treatment against respiratory viruses. The basis of combining the two therapies rests on the fact that the sauna’s dry and warm air will allow for deeper levels of penetration and better absorbency of the salt particles in the bronchi and distal airways.
Key manufacturers of salt-therapy experiences include Halotherapy Solutions, Klafs and Saltability, while Spa Vision and Drom UK distribute salt-therapy equipment.
STUDIES OF NOTE • Lazarescu, H et al. Surveys on therapeutic effects of “halotherapy chamber with artificial salt-mine environment” on patients with certain chronic allergenic respiratory pathologies and infectious-inflammatory pathologies. Journal of Medicine and Life. 2014
• Chervinskaya, Alina. Dry sodium chloride aerosol against acute respiratory infections. European Respiratory Journal, 2009.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2020 issue 3
Editor's letter: The fight ahead
There’s a huge job of work to do to build our reputation and win support in the corridors of power, says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Patrick Huey
The vice-president of spa and retail at Montage talks about his new role as ISPA chair, Black Lives Matter and how his spas are fighting back against COVID-19
Spa people: Rianna Riego
Wellness consultant Rianna Riego speaks out about racial discrimination in the global spa industry
Spa people: Anna Teal
The CEO of Aromatherapy Associates outlines the online innovations it's using to connect with customers in exciting new ways
Spa programmes: On the menu
How are spas changing their treatments and services now they’re staring to reopen again?
Interview: Lee Woon Hoe
Banyan Tree’s executive director of wellbeing tells Spa Business magazine why now is the right time for the group to launch its new wellness concept
Ask an expert: Spa design 2030
Spa Business magazine asks leading designers and architects to give their predictions about pandemic-proof spa models
Promotion: Trendsetting
Design specialists, The Wellness, worked with in-house engineers for Jumeirah to create a state-of-the-art gym for Talise Fitness at the Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai
Research: Manner of speaking
ISPA’s latest study reveals consumer attitudes in the aftermath of COVID-19. Josh Corman picks out the key details
Research: New perspectives
Two surveys in the UK highlight both spa operator and spa-goer insights as facilities across the country begin to welcome guests back
Promotion: The power of touchless
Spa and wellness innovator, Sammy Gharieni, reveals how his on-trend products are perfect for delivering high-value touchless treatments
Country focus: Best of British
We take a look at the standout concepts offered in the world-class spas that have opened in the UK over the last three years
Promotion: Sustain and regenerate
Sustainable skincare brand, Comfort Zone, has radically reinvented its entire Sacred Nature line, driven by the ambition to create some of the world’s first carbon-negative products
Interview: Emma Darby
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Promotion: Redefining the snowroom
Italian snowroom expert, TechnoAlpin, has collaborated with groundbreaking architectural practice, Snøhetta, to create a snowroom like no other
Medi-wellness: On good termes
Italy’s Long Life clinic, which offers anti-ageing science alongside water cures, is gaining greater attention post-lockdown. Sophie Benge pays a visit
Supplier showcase: Premium Fitness
Dormy House has partnered with Matrix Fitness to create two fully-connected fitness suites to take its offering to a new and more sophisticated level @DormyHouse @MatrixFitnessUK
Promotion: Sothys
Sothys’ beauty treatment designer, Séverine Monjanel, and training director, Isabelle Villey, talk to Spa Business about the company’s new authentic ancestral Indonesian treatment
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
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