Halotherapy helps asthma, allergies
By James Card
Sodium chloride or salt is essential to human life and is the original taste enhancer and food preserver.
It is mentioned in the Bible and wars were fought over it.
Not many people are familiar with its healing properties but at Salt Cove Wellness Spa, one can inhale microparticles of salt for better health.
Halotherapy is also called dry salt therapy. At Salt Cove on 418 School St., a guest goes into a room that is warm and cozy. The lights are dimmed through a panel of glowing salt crystals. The floor of the room is covered with Himalaya salt and it is raked in a way that is reminiscent of raked-gravel Zen garden. The comparison is apt as the room is meant to be tranquil. Upon the salt are zero-gravity chairs. No cell phones are allowed and visitors must remove their shoes.
The salt therapy begins as a small machine hums to life. Pure-grade sodium chloride is ground, crushed and dispersed into aerosol microparticles that are absorbed into the respiratory system and skin. Guests only need to breathe deeply and relax. Some people fall asleep during their 45-minute session.
There are different types of sessions: silent ones, social ones and family ones. Children can play in the salt with beach toys.
“You might be able to taste it right now. We just finished a session so it might be still in the air. An exhaust fan turns on and it circulates the air. You’re breathing that in and it helps with allergies, asthma and respiratory issues,” said owner Jodi Ketchum.
She said they have also hosted yoga sessions and meditation classes in the salt room.
Ketchum is a Waupaca native that studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and operated a wellness center in San Diego for 13 years. In 2017, Ketchum sold the wellness center and started a travel business focused on wellness trips around the world. The Covid pandemic wiped that out and she moved back to Waupaca and started Salt Cove this summer as an extended soft opening as Ketchum was still working o the details of the spa and its services.
Ketchum said for a while she suspected she had Long Covid but after salt therapy, those symptoms went away.
Ketchum’s mother helps at the spa and has congestive obstructive pulmonary disorder. It’s not curable. She said the treatment made a big difference and said her breathing was amazing. Other clients that are dependent on inhalers have stated they no longer need them as much, if at all.
Three massage rooms, including one with two massage chairs that are auto-programmed with massage rollers with infrared heat inside. Downstairs is a spa lounge with a small bar with tea and water. It’s a place to spend time in between appointments. There are six wicker egg chairs aligned in two rows and the room is dimly lit and soft music plays in the background. Each chair has a Shiatsu massage device that clamps around the neck and shoulder area. Nearby is a woman’s changing room with lockers and robes.
Salt Cove offers membership packages for the salt therapy, and various types of massage bundles. In the lobby area there are various medicines, lozenges, balms and massage devices for sale, along with winter-survival gift baskets. Gift certificates are available.
Appointments can be made at www.saltcovespa.com. They are open from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday They are closed Wednesday and are open Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Saturday and Sundays they are open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.