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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View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 3
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Spa people: Patrick Huey
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Spa people: Rianna Riego
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Research: New perspectives
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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 Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 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
Despite closing during in lockdown, some Resense spas still hit revenue targets. Its COO tells Spa Business magazine how
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
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Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
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.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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