BREATHING EASY

"Halotherapy - or salt therapy - is one of the newest modern tools, although the respiratory benefits of salt were researched as early as the 1800's, when a Polish physician discovered workers in salt mines suffered fewer respiratory problems.

Breathe Stretch Float is a new health and wellness centre on Flinders Street, offering Adelaide's first Himalayan Salt Cave with a floor lined with almost a ton of crushed Himalayan salt.  A halogenerator grinds pharmaceutical-grade salt that is dispersed into the air as tiny anti-bacterial particles.

The particles are said to dissolve bacteria and pollutants that may be lodged in the respiratory tract.  The therapy is also used for chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, as it is said to reduce inflammation in the respiratory system by absorbing moisture to loosen mucus which collects pollens and allergens.  "A clean respiratory system naturally results in higher oxygen intake, increased energy, and an improved immune system," says James Ryan, founder of Breathe Stretch Float, which also offers floatation therapy and infra-red hot yoga.  People who undergo halotherapy on a regular basis may find relief from conditions such as allergies, asthma, bronchial infections and cold and flu.  It has even been touted to be beneficial for a range of skin conditions.

Medical reasons aisde, it is also very relaxing."