Halotherapy in a Massage Setting

The health and wellness profession continues to evolve, introducing new and integrative modalities to enhance client care. As a massage therapist, staying informed about emerging therapies like halotherapy can help you expand your services and better support your clients' well-being. Below, we explore what halotherapy is, its benefits, and how it can be integrated into your massage therapy practice.

What Is Halotherapy?

Halotherapy—also known as salt therapy—is a growing integrative health practice. It involves sitting in a specially designed salt room, cave, or booth where a halogenerator disperses fine particles of pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride into the air, creating a dry salt aerosol for clients to inhale. Sessions can range from just a few minutes up to 45 minutes.

Marnee Saunders-Furman, founder and owner of Lotus Wellness Studio, explains:

“Halotherapy typically takes place in a salt cave, room, or booth where a halogenerator grinds down pure-grade sodium chloride salt into fine particles that are then dispersed into the air as a dry salt aerosol.”

The halogenerator is essential—it produces the micro-particles that are responsible for the therapeutic benefits. While other items like salt lamps may offer general wellness ambiance, they do not produce the same effects and do not constitute halotherapy on their own.

Benefits of Halotherapy

Halotherapy is primarily known for its respiratory health benefits. The inhaled salt particles are believed to reduce inflammation and clear mucus from the airways, which may help alleviate symptoms of:

• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Allergies
• COPD
• Cystic fibrosis
• Common colds

Additionally, halotherapy has been associated with improvements in various skin conditions, including:

• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Acne

Dr. Norman Edelman, Senior Scientific Advisor to the American Lung Association, notes:

“When fine salt particles are inhaled, they fall on the airway linings and draw water into the airway, thinning the mucus and making it easier to expel, thus making people feel better.”

Importantly, Marnee reminds us: “… while halotherapy can be a complementary therapy for certain conditions, it is not intended to replace medical treatment prescribed by health care professionals.”

Integrating Halotherapy into Massage Practice

Combining Halotherapy with massage therapy can enhance the therapeutic effects of both modalities. Marnee shares that:

“One way to combine halotherapy with massage therapy is by incorporating salt rooms or salt caves into wellness or spa facilities that offer massage services. Individuals can experience halotherapy before or after their massage session to enhance the therapeutic effects.”

Breathing in salt particles may promote clearer airways and deeper, more relaxed breathing, which can support the relaxation and stress-reducing benefits of massage. Utilizing these two therapies in tandem may produce an especially soothing environment for your clients, leading to better health and wellness benefits. Expanding the services offered at your practice can also help attract clientele and showcase your interest in emerging techniques.

Contraindications: Who Should Avoid Halotherapy?

As with all health treatments, halotherapy is not appropriate for everyone. Proper client intake and consultation are essential before offering this service. Common contraindications include:

• Open wounds
• Skin infections
• Pregnancy (due to limited research, clients should consult their health care provider)
• Stage III COPD or chronic lung insufficiency
• Acute respiratory infections or tuberculosis
• Chronic kidney disease
• Use of medications that impact electrolyte balance or kidney function

Always ensure clients consult their primary care provider if they have underlying health conditions or are taking medications that may interact with halotherapy.

Halotherapy Offers a Unique Opportunity to Enhance Client Outcomes

Halotherapy is an exciting, emerging technique in the landscape of wellness therapies. For massage therapists, it offers a unique opportunity to enhance client outcomes and diversify service offerings. Even if you choose not to integrate it into your practice, understanding emerging modalities keeps you informed and connected to broader trends in integrative health care.

We’d love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts on incorporating Halotherapy and other emerging techniques into your practice at communications@amtamassage.org.