Asthama Patient - Salt Mine Khewra

Dry Salt Therapy (Halotherapy) at Khewra Salt Mines

Salt Therapy: The Background

Salt Therapy, also known as Halotherapy (derived from the Greek word halos, meaning “salt”), originated in the 1840s in Poland. Physicians noticed that salt mine workers rarely suffered from respiratory problems, unlike typical mine workers, and had better general population and respiratory health.

The physician Dr. Feliks Boczkowski was a key proponent of these findings. During World War II, Dr. Karl Hermann Spannagel noticed that patients who were held in the Salt Mines as air raid shelters were also helped with their respiratory and dermatological health.

How Does Salt Therapy Work?

According to Dr. Alex Eingorn, a New York-based chiropractor, Halotherapy works in two parts:

Himalayan salt rocks and negative ions: The rocks and ions emit negative ions, which are believed to be anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. These are believed to reduce tissue damage, help with immune system deficiencies, and promote healing by being absorbed by the body as an electronic-rich environment.
Minerals in the air: The air contains fine particles of salt with minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These minerals are absorbed both by the skin and your lungs. They are said to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood pressure, and help cells absorb oxygen.

As you breathe, the fine salt particles are believed to reach deep into the lungs, where they reduce irritation and remove harmful pollutants. This action helps to clear the lungs and reduce the thickness of mucus.

Types of Halotherapy

There are two main types of Halotherapy:

Speleotherapy: This is the natural way, where you spend time in an actual salt mine or cave where the air has a naturally high concentration of dry salt aerosol.
Halogenerator: This is the artificial way, where a machine called a halogenerator grinds pure salt into tiny particles and disperses them into a controlled environment, such as a salt room.

In Pakistan, the Khewra Salt Mine Project offers a form of Natural Salt Therapy where a machine, a halogenerator, ensures the controlled temperature and humidity is maintained to maximize the therapeutic benefits.

A separate sign mentions that Nano-structural NaCl aero-ions having anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, or even anti-mycotic capacity activate the leucocytic system, stimulate the formation of antibodies, and improve biochemical processes.

Breathing Exercises (PMDC Allerological Asthma Resort)

The images provide instructions for four types of breathing exercises, likely for use in conjunction with salt therapy:

Breathing Method	Instructions
Buteyko Breathing	1. Breathe normally for a few minutes. 2. Hold your breath or reduce your breath by using your index finger and thumb to pinch your nose. 3. Reduce your breath until you feel a comfortable air hunger. 4. Breathe normally for at least 15 seconds. 5. Repeat several times.
Diaphragmatic Breathing	1. Lie on your back with your head slightly raised, a pillow under your knees, or sit up straight in a chair. 2. Place one hand flat on your upper chest and the other on your lower rib cage. 3. Breathe in slowly through your nose. 4. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
Pursed Lip Breathing	1. Breathe in slowly through your nose for two counts, mouth closed. 2. Pucker your lips as if you were going to whistle. 3. Breathe out through your pursed lips to a count of four.
Papworth Method	The Papworth method focuses on breathing and re-establishing normal techniques, teaching you to breathe calmly and steadily from your diaphragm and through your nose.
Yoga Breathing	Yoga is an exercise that enhances mindfulness with deep breathing. Using the same techniques, it’s a great tool to engage your help in improving asthma symptoms and lung function.

Benefits of Dry Salt Therapy

For Respiratory Care

Increases Lung Capacity
Increases Oxygen Intake
Cleanses & Detoxes Lungs
Improves Overall Quality of Life

Dry Salt Therapy is indicated for conditions such as:

Bronchial Asthma
Chronic Bronchitis
Tonsillitis
Rhinitis
Pharyngitis
Sinusitis
Allergies (Respiratory & Skin)
Pneumonia
Cold or Cough
Smokers’ Cough
Cystic Fibrosis

For Skin Care

Improves Overall Quality
Aids the Aging Process
Improves Overall Appearance

Additional Benefits

Promotes IgA and IgG secretion (related to the immune system)
Boosts metabolism
Helps sleep better
Stabilizes blood pressure
Relieves joint pain
Reduces stress and fatigue
Provides healthy skin