A salt grotto is an artificially created cave in which, by saturating the air with a suspension of salt crystals, a specific microclimate is created and maintained. Similar structures are used for speleotherapy (halotherapy) sessions.
Natural Salt Caves
Natural salt caves are artificial structures. These are, as a rule, salt mines, special niches cut down in salt layers, in which so-called speleocenters are created. In the depths of the earth, salt deposits formed in the distant Permian geological era.
Spele caverns have a unique microclimate. For them, common factors are constant temperature, atmospheric pressure, gas composition, air, in which negatively charged ions predominate. In these structures, low humidity and significant air saturation with rock salt structures. The cave is characterized by the absence of allergens, bacterial flora.
Reasons for creating salt grottoes
There are very few real, natural salt caves. They are far from the main places of residence of a person. Visiting them requires significant expenses. As a result of this, caves cannot boast of wide access. Moreover, they are destroyed quite quickly for natural reasons.
The desire of people to bring closer favorable conditions for salt caves has led to the creation of artificial structures with a similar microclimate. The state of the environment in them is similar to the natural one. Such structures are called grottoes. Artificial salt grottoes in Moscow have gained great popularity.
They are designed to create conditions for the relaxation of the human body with a useful microclimate, to increase and strengthen its tone. Staying in salt grottoes, caves leads to the removal of psychological stress. The absence of noise favorably affects the nervous system, contributes to the creation of a positive psycho-emotional background.
As a good option, experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Moresol salt grotto in Ryazan (Frunze St.).
Factors That Affected Spleotherapy Hobby
Speleotherapy (halotherapy) is a method of treatment using salt in natural or artificial rooms, rooms. Historians say that this method of influencing the body has been known since ancient times. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was used as a way to strengthen immunity and recovery. In modern times, such techniques tend to increase their popularity.
Most people know that sea air and rest on the coast have a beneficial effect on the body. There, a person is saturated with sea air, in which there is enough salt suspension. As a result, the salt grotto can be considered a great alternative to relaxing on the sea coast.
Equipment
In speleotherapy and halotherapy, the same methods for the therapeutic use of salt are distinguished. Their differences are only in the structure of salt chambers. The first is carried out in natural conditions, in caves consisting of salt layers. The second method is used in special treatment centers, sanatoriums, rehabilitation centers, etc., in which the rooms are laid out in halite blocks or salvint plates. These building materials are extracted in natural, natural caves, underground salt grottoes.
In artificial structures, the walls are covered with table or sea salt in such a way as to make a certain thematic decor. The microclimate is created by means of a halogen generator. It carries out the crushing of salt into dust, which can penetrate the lower parts of the human respiratory tract.
Creating a healing effect
So, the main component of artificial salt grotto is a halogen generator. It sprays salt particles that do not exceed 5 microns in diameter. Such a fine suspension in an aerosol is the main therapeutic component.
To increase the healing effect of salt (sodium chloride), other structures are usually added, which include potassium and magnesium ions. When using sea salt in a salt grotto, these components should not be added, since they are available in it. Also include ions of chlorine, iodine, calcium.
The therapeutic effect is that aerosols, due to their extremely small size, penetrate deep enough into the respiratory tract. At the same time, they dilute sputum and act detrimental to pathogenic microorganisms.
Settling on the skin and subsequently penetrating inside, have an anti-inflammatory, cleaning effect on it.
Halotherapy and the human body
As mentioned above, halotherapy refers to preventive treatment methods. It is used in the presence of diseases in remission in order to prevent their exacerbation. Therapy in salt grottoes is recommended for rehabilitation after injuries. The beneficial effects of the methods of this treatment positively relate to the following systems of the human body:
- Endocrine. Metabolism is normalized. Salt suspensions reflexively act on the department in the brain responsible for hunger. The adjustment of appetite and food addiction is carried out.
- Respiratory system. The use of halotherapy method leads to normalization of the synthesis of bronchial mucus. The functions of the pulmonary alveoli improve. There is an activation of the ciliary epithelium. Air salt aerosols stimulate increased sputum production, stop the harmful effects of pathogenic flora.
- Nervous. The leveling of negative factors of stressful situations is carried out. The activity of the vasomotor and respiratory centers is normalized. Halotherapy has a positive effect on the stabilization of blood pressure, leading to the elimination of headaches. There is an increase in working capacity and an improvement in mood.
- Immune The restoration of the work of all structures of human immunity. Its resistance to infectious effects and allergens increases.
- The skin. Salt suspensions have a beneficial effect on the skin with a variety of diseases. They create a rejuvenating skin effect, including on the face.
According to the conclusions of medical experts, the methods of using salted grottoes help strengthen immunity, normalize the functioning of the immune and endocrine systems. It is noted that the functions of the nervous system have a recovery dynamics after the first few sessions. The use of comfortable conditions in salt grottoes leads to the normalization of the emotional background, to an increase in a person's working capacity.
It is also proven that halotherapy helps rid the human body of allergens and toxins. Selectively kills pathogenic bacteria. It has been established that staying in salt grottoes positively affects pregnant women if they have diseases of the respiratory tract, skin, and edematous syndrome. Salt treatment courses contribute to the fact that a woman refuses medications that can have a negative impact on the development of the child.
Contraindications
The use of halotherapy in salt grottoes is referred to preventive procedures by doctors, as they have a mild and harmless effect on the body.
However, there are contraindications. Before starting the halotherapy procedure, experts recommend consulting with a doctor, including to determine the duration of the sessions. The presence of contraindications to halotherapy can lead to a deterioration in the general condition of the human body, as well as cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
For adults and children, therapy is contraindicated in the following cases:
- the presence of acute infectious diseases;
- fever;
- intense pain syndromes;
- severe bronchial asthma;
- pulmonary emphysema in the 3rd degree;
- open forms of tuberculosis;
- the presence of insufficiency (cardiac, hepatic, renal);
- the tendency of the body to external bleeding, internal hemorrhage;
- the presence of severe hypertension;
- state of epileptic seizure;
- chronic diseases in the acute stage;
- oncological diseases;
- blood diseases;
- mental illness.
We must remember that from serious diseases the salt grotto is not a panacea. This method of healing is only a means of preventing diseases, a tool for relieving nervous tension and increasing immunity.