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WORLD HALOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION

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WHA Letters to Congress

World Halotherapy Association

Mission Statement

A physician backed association to ensure a global standard of excellence in the Halotherapy industry. The WHA will assist in the appropriate practice of Halotherapy to effect the utmost safety and highest standards in the application of the treatment. Our goal is to train, educate and support Haloprenuers in a deeper understanding of the disease state, help ensure equipment performs properly and aid in the successful execution of business operations.  

Membership

Personal access to industry experts, training, advice and mentorship. Business plan, collateral, marketing road map and much more.

Education

Marketing information on social media, industry updates, disease state knowledge and much more.

Certification

Become a certified Halotherapy facility! Give your customers the assurance that they are getting the quality they expect.

what is

What is Dry Salt Therapy

Dry Salt Therapy is 100% natural, safe and drug-free. Therapy relies on a basic mineral, pure sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, to stimulate the body's internal processes for cleansing the respiratory tract and strengthening lung function. Through exposure to negatively ionized tiny salt particles in a carefully controlled environment, people simply inhale and exhale to improve their breathing.

Dry salt aerosol therapy has been medically recognized in Europe for over 50 years for the treatment of breathing and skin problems. This safe and affordable alternative therapy compliments conventional medical treatments as an integrative approach to produce sustainable results.

Benefits of Dry Salt Therapy

Lung: Dry Salt Therapy may provide symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of respiratory conditions including: Allergies (mold, pollen, ragweed), Asthma, Bronchitis, Bronchial Infections, COPD, Cold and Flu, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Pneumonia, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Smoker's Cough and Wheezing.

Skin: May provide symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of skin conditions including: Acne, Dermatitis, Dry & Flaky Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rashes, Rosacea, Skin Aging and Skin Inflammation.

Fitness: Recreational, Competitive and Professional athletes seeking to breathe easier during exercise or enhance their athletic performance, endurance and recovery time through increased strength, lung function and oxygen saturation find help with Halotherapy.

benefits

Halotherapy A-Z

History of Halotherapy

Halotherapy comes from the Greek word, "halos" which means "salt". Halotherapy, also known as dry salt therapy, is an all natural treatment that mimics the microclimate of a salt cave. Halotherapy originated as Speleotherapy over 100 years ago in Eastern Europe for the therapeutic benefit of respiratory disease. Speleotherapy has evolved into modern-Halotherapy or dry salt aerosol therapy to provide natural symptom relief for a variety of respiratory and skin conditions. Halotherapy has been recognized in Europe for over 50 years for the treatment of breathing and skin conditions. It is used throughout the world today with documented and consistently positive results.

One does not need to visit an ancient salt cave to experience the restorative effects of Halotherapy. It has become standard therapy in many modern spas across the globe as a highly effective treatment. Halotherapy is a safe, all natural, and drug-free alternative. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. It is not considered a replacement for pharmaceuticals but rather augment therapy to enhance the natural healing process.

Halotherapy was first pioneered by the Russians.
• They developed a technology for replicating the conditions of the salt caves and mines.

• The first salt facilities were established in clinical settings such as health facilities, hospitals, etc.

• Halotherapy soon emerged in more commercial segngs outside of the USSR in the 1990s throughout Europe

Benefits of Halotherapy

Worldwide, based on European/Russian clinical studies and US pilot studies, thousands of people have successfully improved their breathing and achieved natural symptom relief.
• Cleanse the respiratory tract and minimize symptoms

• Enhance respiratory function and breathe easier

• Strengthen the immune system

• Improve lung function and increase athletic performance

• Improve the quality of life, reduce stress and enhance overall well-being

• Symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of skin conditions including Acne, Dermatitis, Dry & Flaky Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rashes, Rosacea, Skin Aging and Skin Inflammation

Whether you suffer from allergies, asthma, chronic sinusitis, other respiratory or skin conditions or simply want to enhance lung capacity and breathe easier, choose Halotherapy.

Why Halotherapy

The average person breathes 17,000 to 21,000 times each day. Your lungs are living air purifiers that are continuously under attack from each breath consisting of allergens, bacteria, pollen, pollutants, toxins, and particles. Exposure can cause absorption of allergens and pollutants, tightening or obstruction of airways, inflammation, bacteria growth, increased mucus viscosity or respiratory disease.

More and more people are suffering from respiratory diseases resulting from a combination of environmental pollutants and allergens including pollution, airborne diseases, pollens and toxins than previously recorded.

Types of Salt

There are a variety of types of salt
• Cooking, bathing, Epsom, salt scrubs
• Himalayan, Dead Sea, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Pharmaceutical

The only salt to use for dry salt therapy for the halogenerator is pharmaceutical grade:
• It is pure and natural sodium chloride that does not contain any additives
• All other salt has trace elements and minerals that when ground into microparticles can reach deep into the respiratory tract could cause adverse reactions
• Depending on where the salt is mined from when ground into microparticles some dirt and/or clay could be released
• All clinical research and studies are based on pharmaceutical salt

What is Halotherapy?

Halotherapy relies on a basic mineral, pure sodium chloride, commonly known as salt, to stimulate the body's internal processes for cleansing the respiratory tract and strengthening lung function. The pure pharmaceutical grade salt is milled to a fine dust by a Halogenerator. Folks breath normally as the particles are inhaled into the upper and lower respiratory system and absorbed by the skin.

The efficacy of Halotherapy is achieved through the properties of sodium chloride, an essential element for the regulation of mucus, coating the lungs and sinuses.  The salt draws out the moisture and impurities and breaks up the mucus.

In people with chronic lung conditions, the levels of naturally occurring sodium chloride is decreased, which can lead to an excess production of mucus.  Salt is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.  This widens the airway, allows for deeper breathing and accelerates the transport of mucus, the elimination of tar and foreign allergens, and an improved immune system.  Salt is highly absorbent and acts much like a sponge.  It is not ingested or metabolized.

Benefits of Halotherapy LUNGS

Halotherapy may provide symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of respiratory conditions including Allergies (mold, pollen, ragweed), Asthma, Bronchitis, Bronchial Infections, COPD, Cold and Flu, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Pneumonia, Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Smoker's Cough and Wheezing and in some cases snoring.

Benefits of Halotherapy SKIN

Provides symptomatic relief for adults and children with a variety of skin conditions including: Acne, Dermatitis, Dry & Flaky Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rashes, Rosacea, Skin Aging and Skin Inflammation.

Stress Reduction

Over 40 years of research shows that balance electromagnetic vibration can dramatically increase energy, mental alertness, reduce stress and overall sense of well-being.

Benefits of Halotherapy FITNESS

Recreational, Competitive and Professional athletes seeking to breathe easier during exercise or enhance their athletic performance, endurance and recovery time through increased strength, lung function, and oxygen saturation.

What Do Medical Professionals Say

There have been numerous European studies dating back to the early seventies demonstrating that dry sodium chloride (NaCl or Salt) aerosol is more effective than wet salt (saline) inhalation. Dry salt aerosol therapy (Halotherapy) is commonly used today throughout the world with documented and consistently positive results. Halotherapy has been recognized in Europe for over 50 years for the treatment of breathing and skin problems.

Salt and the use of saline solutions are not new medical practices. Doctors have been using saline in mainstream medicine for years.  Although wet salt therapy has benefits, the overall effectiveness is limited as the wet droplets may have more difficulty reaching the distal airways and deep into the sinuses.  Additionally, the goal is to eliminate the excess moisture which reduces the salts therapeutic benefit.

Advisory Board

advisoryboard

Cindy Hollenbeck

PhD
Clinical and research background and love of natural remedies.  Worked extensively with thought leaders in the respiratory field as a Medical Science Liaison and Research and Speaker Consultant for Merck & Co Inc. A Clinical Scientist for Predictive Genetics & DNA Diagnostics, a company that I founded in 2002 to test the proficiency and accreditation of different genetic disease markers. Clinical Scientist for Parke-Davis, responsible for making sure medical facilities was compliant in study details, patient confidentiality, sample collection, and ensuring all clinical standards as dictated by their licensing agency were being met

Paul Flynn

MBA, DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and on the medical staff at Sparrow Hospital. Introducing Halotherapy to his practice to aid in stress reduction prior to surgery.

Our Story

My name is Dr. Cindy Hollenbeck and my clinical and research background and love of natural remedies have prepared me to support Halopreneurs’ offer treatment in the safest and most effective environment possible. I have worked extensively with thought leaders in the respiratory field as a Medical Science Liaison and Research and Speaker Consultant for Merck & Co Inc. I was a Clinical Scientist for Predictive Genetics & DNA Diagnostics, a company that I founded in 2002 to test the proficiency and accreditation of different genetic disease markers. Additionally, I was a Clinical Scientist for Parke-Davis, responsible for making sure medical facilities were compliant in study details, patient confidentiality, sample collection, and ensuring all clinical standards as dictated by their licensing agency were being met.

I was first exposed to Halotherapy 6 years ago while in Europe and became an avid user here in the United States. Although Halotherapy is not regulated by the FDA, it is a safe and effective modality, backed by 50 plus years of science, when done properly and appropriately.

My extensive respiratory science background had me asking questions few could answer with any degree of certainty. I started my own research into the industry and found that there were many owners and operators with a limited working knowledge of the disease states in which Halotherapy (Dry Salt Therapy) treats. One of my concerns was for consumers with a more compromised respiratory tract using salt therapy with little understanding of how it may affect them. Damage in the epithelial layer can cause a twitchy airway making exposure to salt too quickly or in too high a concentration concerning.

In order to offer Halotherapy in a safe and effective environment, my thought was there had to be some level of standardization. Both to protect the consumer and to best equip owners and operators with the ability to adequately support their patrons. Additionally, with the rapid rise of the industry, not all Halotherapy technology is the same. Is the particle size milled small enough to get into the distal airways where much of the inflammation resides? What is the proper micron size to treat skin? I was determined to find these answers and many others to aid and assist those in the Halotherapy industry. I have collaborated with Halotherapy thought leaders across the globe and spoke with industry leaders in the US and abroad. I spent over a decade interfacing with respiratory specialty physicians and successful Halotherapy owners and operators with top-notch facilities.

The WHA has laboratory calibrated aerosol measuring instruments that answer many of my technical question relative to mass concentration and particle size. The physicians with whom I have consulted, believe in the use of salt as a legitimate means of therapy to treat a multitude of conditions. The WHA was borne out of a necessity to bring about a standard of excellence to the Halotherapy industry to support folks currently in the industry and those considering it.

Cindy Hollenbeck Head Shot

WHA Advisory Board

Raleigh

Dr. Raleigh Duncan

Dr Duncan was one of the early pioneers in the infrared sauna industry and has led Clearlight Saunas to a leadership position over the last 19 years.  He is very experienced in designing systems to help heal the body, the creation of health products from inception to execution, manufacturing and quality control. He also holds several patents.  He has a Doctor of Chiropractic degree as well as a BS in Science, Life West Chiropractic, Regents College. Dr Duncan has been instrumental in the joint product development with Halotherapy Solutions LLC of the Halo-IR—the first custom-designed product that combines Halotherapy and InfraRed.

Hart Griffith

Hart Griffith-Zill

Hart Griffith-Zill has been working in the spa industry since 2005. Currently, Hart works with TouchAmerica in Business Development and product innovation. TouchAmerica is a massage and spa equipment manufacturer based in North Carolina. TouchAmerica’s passion for halotherapy led to the development of Himalayan Source, a collaboration between Saltability and TouchAmerica, catering specifically to halotherapy wellness entrepreneurs. Hart continues to innovate, specializing in salt décor and customizing salt environments to provide sensory experiences and health benefits.

Kenny

Kenny Kong

Kenny has run Salt Therapy Centre, Breathe Better Salt Rooms, in Frankston, Australia for 5 years.  This is the most successful salt therapy business in Australia with marketing techniques that can be used anywhere.

Prior to salt therapy, Kenny worked for 21 years at Crown Casino in Melbourne Australia where his last position was Assistant Casino Manager , Table Games.

Kenny has first hand experience with salt therapy,  In July 2013, he became sick with acute bronchitis for about 9 months where he was on multiple antibiotics nearly daily..  Kenny committed to salt therapy for just over 3 months attending 5 sessions a week. In the first couple of months his health and "all day, every day" cough and asthma was relieved as well as his thick green congestion.  This was his impetus to look into salt therapy. Kenny threw in his job at Crown Casino and joined the salt therapy revolution.

Albert_Ramudo_small copy

Dr. Albert Ramudo

Albert has spent over 20 years in the animal health space and has served in various regulatory, clinical development, leadership and management roles at various organizations such as Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Novartis Animal Health and the US Army. Albert has a keen interest in addressing the challenges associated antibiotic resistance, discovering 

different ways of evaluating the safety of traditional animal health products and exploring alternative approaches to improving the health of our pets. 

Albert is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and is a certified Project Manager (PMP). 

Albert received his Bachelors in Medical Technology from Florida International University, his DVM from Michigan State University and his MBA from Davenport University. 

Kathleen Slonager 1

Kathleen Slonager

Ms. Slonager is CEO of Transformational Health, PC– a holistic health care practice devoted to homeopathy.  As a Board Certified Classical Homeopath she is excited to help people restore health and vitality utilizing the therapeutic principles of homeopathy.

She is also the Executive Director of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Michigan Chapter, a non-profit charity dedicated to education and training for all those affected by asthma and allergies, as well as the professionals that take care of them. 

Ms. Slonager has over 25 years experience in health care.

In 2013, she was awarded the AAFA Chapter Innovation Award from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, in recognition of a home care program for families

dealing with asthma and allergies.  Additionally, she is the co-author or the AAFA Wee Breathers™ and the Asthma Care for Adults™ asthma management programs.

Ms. Slonager is also the author of several published papers and lectures regarding asthma education and holistic health practices, as well as co-author of a published study:  Impact of air pollution on asthma in Arab Americans, 2014.

Kathleen is a passionate patient advocate and health educator with expertise in asthma and allergy management, complementary and alternative medicine modalities, disease management, quality assurance, and health promotion and hopes to light a spark in others and is passionate about providing evidence - informed health information to aid consumers on their own health and wellness journey.

Lisa Starr

 

Lisa Starr

Lisa Starr is the Principal of Wynne Business Consulting & Education, which specializes in spa, wellness & salon businesses. Starr has over 35 years of experience in the beauty & wellness industry, spending the last 18 years as a consultant and educator, helping owners and operators of spas and wellness facilities maximize their operations performance in both front and back of house, while providing exceptional experiences for clients and guests. Her particular areas of focus include operations, finances & staff compensation, marketing, inventory management, retailing, human resource & leadership development, and business process improvement. Starr is the Task Force Chair for the Global Wellness Institute’s Consulting Initiative, a Contributing Editor at Dayspa Magazine, a regular contributor to global trade publications, a highly-rated speaker at ISPA and beauty industry conferences, and offers live spa management courses across the globe, as well as through an online learning portal.  Follow her on Twitter @StarrTalk, on Instagram @WynneBusiness, or email lstarr@wynnebusiness.com.

 

Direct Relief

We donate 5% of the paid Membership fee to Direct Relief. Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Nongovernmental, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit, Direct Relief provides assistance to people and communities without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities or ability to pay.

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