For anyone who has ever been to the coast and noticed the therapeutic effects of the sea air on their health and wellbeing, a new treatment centre in Newcastle may be the answer to a wealth of health problems.
One of only a handful of salt cave therapy rooms in the UK, Sereniti Salt Retreat in Friars Street within Newcastle’s China Town near Blackfriars Restaurant is leading the way in the region’s treatment of skin and respiratory conditions by the use of salt in a medically controlled atmosphere.
Salt therapy, or to give it it’s Greek name Halotherapy works by the client breathing normally in a salt air environment during a 45-minute treatment session. The sessions are carried out in a specially constructed ‘salt cave” with rich sea salt adorning the floor and the walls. Soothing music, ambient lighting and reclining chairs ensure a relaxing, enjoyable experience while the treatment itself helps with a variety of conditions.
The new business is the brain child of IT specialist Michelle Grogan. The former Springfield School pupil originally from Jarrow but now from Newcastle started the business after helping her mother look for treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Michelle discovered that salt therapy can help with COPD and other respiratory issues as well as a large number of skin disorders.
“What started out as something to help my mam improve the symptoms of her COPD has turned into a new business opportunity for me. I’ve always loved working with people as well as systems and hardware and my interest in holistic therapies and technology helped me to make the right decisions when I purchased the Halogenerator,” said Michelle.
“The science behind the treatment is fascinating and is based on the fact that in Victorian times, salt miners didn’t experience many respiratory problems due to the salt atmosphere found down the mines.” This was recognised and the natural environment was recreated using a Halogenerator in 1985.
Further research found that the nearest salt cave to Newcastle was in Edinburgh and that there was a growing demand in the North East due to the number of people she met who travelled to other parts of the UK for treatments. Michelle is now treating clients from all over the north of England including Eddie Fenwick who travels from Penrith every week to help him with his Pleural Plaques caused by Asbestosis. But it’s not only pulmonary conditions that salt therapy can help with. Michelle helps to treat a number of clients who have severe hay fever, cystic fibrosis, eczema, bronchiectasis and psoriasis.
One client who has seen a marked improvement in the degree of psoriasis affecting her body is Emma Kidd from North Shields.
“I’ve been very embarrassed this summer when wearing shorts but after a few sessions in the salt room my legs are much better and I’m not self-conscious at all.”
As well as helping to treat a whole host of medical conditions, the salt therapy treatment is also beneficial for those wishing to cleanse themselves from their day to day contact with modern living and wish to balance and regenerate the natural ions found in the human body as Michelle explains:
“Salt has many natural anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties which produce negative ions. These rich negative ions can be felt naturally when you breathe in sea air, walk in pine forests or spend time near a waterfall. We bring those feelings into the treatment room helping to balance the body’s system and tackling the effects of potential harmful positive ions from everyday things like mobile phones, power lines and computers. Ironically, we’re giving a very positive experience from a negative.”
Michelle’s mother, Sandra Hughes from Jarrow is already feeling the benefits of her daughter’s research and subsequent treatment:
“One of the main differences I’ve found is the fact that I am now sleeping much longer and better at night. My COPD is not causing me as much concern and my breathing is easier so I’m able to do more with my life than I have for a number of years.”
Michelle also has five other therapists to assist with the retreat and offers other holistic therapies including hypnotherapy, sports massage, reiki, body detox and reflexology.