Halotherapy — from “halos,” which is Greek for salt — is available at the Simply Health Spa at 1760 S. Atherton St., State College.
Although salt therapy is still relatively new in the United States, it is already popular in Europe, where holistic approaches tend to be more utilized.
Marge Delozier, co-owner of Simply Health with Nikki Santangelo, spoke about the benefits of salt therapy.
“It has been known to help asthma, emphysema, allergies, arthritis, sleeping disorders, bronchitis, snoring, hay fever, cystic fibrosis, poor concentration, ADHD, acne, eczema, skin conditions, psoriasis, ear infections and weakened immune system, as well as countering the effects of smoking and pollution,” said Delozier.
Delozier previously owned another health spa, where she had added a halotherapy room. Three years ago she opened Simply Health.
“I had been planning retirement, but I really enjoy hearing from the clients and learning of their success stories.”
She was referring to the relief of breathing problems and sinus problems she hears about from her clients when they use the Himalayan salt treatments.
The Simply Health Spa imports Himalayan pink crystal salt from Pakistan. Since the salt caves and salt mines are not located near us, the spa attempts to recreate the atmosphere of a salt cave where the clients sit or recline to experience the effects. The rooms are kept at 70 degrees, and blankets are offered. The lights are dimmed, then machines are turned on that blow the salt air into the room.
Clients are encouraged to relax during treatment, and some people fall asleep. The salt reduces inflammation, which is the cause of many illnesses and ailments.
When I write an article, I learn about the science or facts behind the business or art. In the case of the salt spa, I experienced the treatment firsthand.
I spent 45 minutes comfortable and relaxed. I held bags filled with salt in my hands and placed one on my knee — where I wanted to feel the effects. On the way home, I did feel as if my muscles were looser and I was less stiff.
Some persons say they feel better immediately, whether it is easier breathing, lessening of sinus pain or relief in another trouble spot. Others report coming back and having more relief each visit.
Delozier said the spa has had people sign up for weekly, monthly and even daily appointments.
I also talked with Robin Hilton who, along with Autumn Cymbar, are the other Simply Health Spa employees. She said the spa has been busy, with many people using their gift certificates from Christmas.
“We all do everything here, as far as checking clients in and showing them to the rooms where massage, Reiki, detox footbaths and treatments on the amethyst bio-mat are carried out.’
The amethyst bio-mat is advertised for pain and stress relief, but many visitors to the spa say they have experienced better sleep, less fatigue and other effects.
Amethyst quartz is said to be nature’s super conductor, offering the steadiest and most powerful delivery of infrared light waves and the highest vibrational frequencies into the body, according to literature at Simply Health. You rest or sleep on the bio-mat and receive the effects of infrared light, amethyst and negative ions.
If the idea of a warm footbath is inviting, the spa offers a detox footbath. The footbath’s water attaches itself to waste, removing it from the body. It is said to work like a walk along a beach by the ocean, where the body picks up negatively charged ions that attach themselves to waste particles and removes them through osmosis.
There is also a far infrared sauna at Simply Health that helps with getting the more than 400 to 800 chemical residues out of our bodies, according to Delozier.
Far infrared is a section of the natural band of light that is not visible to the human eye, but can be felt as heat. Far infrared can penetrate the body to a depth of 1.5 to 2 inches, resulting in better cellular detoxification. The body’s tissues normally produce infrared energy, which is used by the body for a number of healing processes. The far infrared sauna, as it delivers penetrating warmth to the body, increases the body’s own infrared energy levels.
The spa keeps literature on this and all its offered services.
For more information, call (814) 954-7731 or visit www.simplyhealth-calm.com.
