When I was directed toward a visit to the SaltBox during my springtime stay in Whitefish, Montana, I followed up with some questions.
The SaltBox?
It just so happens that this place of business in the heart of Whitefish is dedicated to dry salt therapy.
Popular for years in Russia and parts of western Europe, dry salt therapy is gaining acceptance in the United States these days. So this Surprising Travel Find shows tiny Whitefish helping set trends much of the country has yet to discover.
Here’s how it works: dry salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, employs micro-particles of salt that are pushed into a closed space. This has a respiratory benefit. But the fine particles also settle on the skin, creating benefits for those with certain conditions. Proponents of the treatments claim the technique “also helps to alleviate symptoms of many respiratory and skin conditions.”
According to the SaltBox website, pharmaceutical-grade salt is heated, then ground into the tiniest micro-particles before it is pumped into a clean, tightly enclosed room. These rooms are furnished with comfortable chairs that allow patrons to sit back, relax, and breathe deeply. Salt is known to be anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and an agent for loosening mucus in the sinuses.
Upon arrival, you will be asked to remove your shoes and place them in a small locker just outside the salt rooms. Beverages are allowed inside, but only in spill-proof containers. The idea is to keep the inside as free from outside materials as possible.
At the time of my visit, I was experiencing some nasal congestion. The 45-minute session did improve my breathing for a time, but it wasn’t an overall cure.
Owners of these establishments caution that one should not expect instant healing. They point to a series of treatments as a better answer for long-term health, and “it can help to alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), snoring, sleep apnea, sinusitis, bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis, colds, flu and much more,” according to the SaltBox website.
The medical community appears to be divided on the overall benefits. The American Lung Association cites a study that proved inconclusive for dry salt therapy in treating COPD. We will leave the medical debates to people far more qualified to make such judgments. You should check in with your physician before considering dry salt therapy, or any other such remedy.
So let’s look beyond the medical science and view the SaltBox in terms of a travel attraction.
It is a Surprising Travel Find to see such a place in rural Montana. It is equipped with spa facilities, and both massages and infrared sauna sessions are available here. A typical dry salt therapy session will set you back about $40, but shorter “Power Lunch” sessions of 25 minutes are available for $25. On days when the weather isn’t cooperating with your outdoor plans, the Salt Box is an interesting if not economical diversion.
More than a few people in my session fell asleep during the treatment, anecdotal evidence that the SaltBox treatments might aid in relieving stress and encouraging relaxation.
Remember that in addition to whatever medical benefits you acquire, this makes a great trip story when you get home: “Let me tell you about my visit to a Montana salt box!”
At that moment, you’ll have everyone’s full attention.
If You Go