Wat is halotherapie? Alles over werking, veiligheid en kosten

By HaloClinic Netherlands — professional dry halotherapy since 2011, with salt rooms in Zaandam and Heemstede.

Halotherapy is a non-invasive treatment in which you inhale very fine, dry salt particles in a controlled salt room.

A professional halogenerator processes dry medicinal saline into a fine aerosol that is dispersed throughout the treatment room. You keep your regular clothes on and sit in a quiet environment for approximately sixty minutes. At HaloClinic Netherlands, your first session is free and without obligation, so that you can experience for yourself what a session feels like.

Table of contents

1. What is halotherapy?
2. How does halotherapy work?
3. What does a professional salt room do?
4. How does a halocabine work?
5. Does halotherapy really work?
6. Is halotherapy good for the lungs?
7. Does halotherapy help with asthma?
8. Does halotherapy help with eczema?
9. Is halotherapy safe?
10. Halotherapie voor kinderen en baby’s
11. How does halotherapy feel?
12. How long does a session last?
13. How often should you do halotherapy?
14. What does halotherapy cost?
15. Can you do halotherapy at home?
16. Combine with physiotherapy?
17. Does salt therapy help with stress?
18. Where can you find halotherapy in the Netherlands?
19. For whom is halotherapy interesting?

1. What is halotherapy?

Halotherapie, van het Griekse halos (zout), wordt ook wel droge zouttherapie genoemd. Het is meer dan een kamer met zoutstenen aan de muur: het werkzame element is de halogenerator die medicinaal zout verwerkt tot uiterst kleine deeltjes. Deze deeltjes worden gecontroleerd door de zoutkamer verspreid en komen tijdens de sessie in contact met uw luchtwegen en huid.

Zoutlampen, decoratieve zoutwanden of een kamer met alleen brokken zout produceren geen actieve zoutaerosol. Voor een echte halotherapiesessie is een professionele halogenerator noodzakelijk. Achtergrond leest u op de pagina over the science behind halotherapyWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

2. How does halotherapy work?

1. Dry medicinal salt is placed in the halogenerator.
2. The salt is processed into very small particles.
3. The particles are dispersed in a controlled manner throughout the treatment room.
4. Visitors breathe in the dry salt aerosol calmly.
5. The salt particles also come into contact with the skin.
6. After the session, the room is prepared for the next visitors according to protocol.

The combination of particle size, concentration, and even distribution makes professional halotherapy possible. It is plausible that the fine salt aerosol promotes the natural cleansing of the airways.

3. What does a professional salt room do?

Upon arrival, you will be given a hairnet and shoe covers. You take a seat in a comfortable chair, breathe calmly, and can read, listen to music, or close your eyes. In Zaandam, there is a separate children's salt room where children may play; in Heemstede, a children's corner is available. You do not need to do intensive breathing exercises — the salt aerosol does the work while you relax.

4. How does a halocabine work?

A halo cabin is usually a more compact treatment room for one or a few people. Here too, the halogenerator is the active component. The difference compared to a large salt room lies mainly in capacity and layout; the principle is the same. A decorative salt cabin without a halogenerator does not offer this effect. Entrepreneurs who wish to purchase a halo cabin themselves or build a salt room can visit our business page about buying halo cabinsWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

5. Does halotherapy really work?

This question deserves a nuanced answer. There is scientific and practice-oriented research into dry salt therapy, and HaloClinic Netherlands has had extensive practical experience since 2011. At the same time, results vary per person and per complaint. Halotherapy is a treatment to promote recovery — not a substitute for necessary medical care or prescribed medication.

Verdieping vindt u in onze scientific library, op de pagina over the research by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam bij HaloClinic en op de background page about how it works. Bekijk ook onze visitor experiencesWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

6. Is halotherapy good for the lungs?

Bezoekers komen bij HaloClinic vaak met klachten als vastzittend slijm, hoesten, benauwdheid, prikkeling van de luchtwegen of een verstopt gevoel. De droge zoutaerosol komt bij het inademen in contact met de luchtwegen en kan de natuurlijke slijmafvoer bevorderen. Voor uitgebreide informatie per klacht verwijzen we naar onze pagina’s over asthmaHalotherapy has been used at HaloClinic Netherlands for years as a natural support for skin conditions such as eczema, COPD, bronchitis and emphysemaHalotherapy has been used at HaloClinic Netherlands for years as a natural support for skin conditions such as eczema, bronchiectasis, coughingHalotherapy has been used at HaloClinic Netherlands for years as a natural support for skin conditions such as eczema, sinus and frontal sinus complaints en hay fever and allergiesWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

7. Does halotherapy help with asthma?

People with asthma regularly visit HaloClinic Netherlands to promote breathing comfort when experiencing respiratory complaints. In practice, visitors often report breathing more freely and experiencing less shortness of breath after a series of sessions. Medication is adjusted exclusively in consultation with the treating physician. Halotherapy does not replace asthma medication or an emergency inhaler.

Read the detailed information about halotherapy for asthma →

8. Does halotherapy help with eczema?

In addition to the respiratory tract, the fine salt particles also come into contact with your skin during a session. Many visitors come to HaloClinic with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin. They often experience the sessions as calming and soothing. What halotherapy can do for your specific skin depends on your symptoms, skin type, and treatment history.

Read the detailed information about halotherapy for eczema →

9. Is halotherapy safe?

Halotherapy is non-invasive: no needles or procedures are used, and you keep your regular clothes on. In a professionally managed salt room, concentration, particle size, and hygiene are monitored.

In case of severe, acute, or unstable symptoms, during pregnancy, or if in doubt, we advise you to consult your doctor beforehand. See also our indications and contraindications. Halotherapy does not replace acute or emergency medical care.

10. Is halotherapie goed voor kinderen en baby’s?

At HaloClinic Netherlands, children are welcome from six months of age, accompanied by a parent or guardian. In Zaandam, we have a separate children's salt room where children can play during the session; in Heemstede, there is a special children's corner. In case of doubt or serious medical conditions, we advise consulting with the pediatrician beforehand.

More about halotherapy for children →

11. How does halotherapy feel?

The salt room feels calm and comfortable. The air is dry and at room temperature — it is emphatically not a sauna or steam bath. You sit in an armchair and do not have to perform. Some visitors notice an increased urge to cough or mucus during or shortly after a session; this is a natural reaction to the salt aerosol. Exactly what you experience varies from person to person.

12. How long does a halotherapy session last?

A session at HaloClinic Netherlands lasts approximately sixty minutes. We ask you to arrive a few minutes before the start. Changing clothes is not necessary. After the session, you can continue your day as normal.

13. How often should you do halotherapy?

The ideal frequency depends on your symptoms and goal. Many visitors start with a more intensive series of sessions spread over a few weeks, followed by maintenance sessions. On the page how often to the salt room vindt u praktische richtlijnen per situatie.

14. What does halotherapy cost?

Bij HaloClinic Nederland is uw eerste sessie free and without obligation. Daarna kunt u kiezen uit losse sessies of voordelige meerbeurtenkaarten. De actuele bedragen, voorwaarden en kaartopties vindt u op onze rates page. Voor informatie over eventuele vergoeding vanuit een aanvullende zorgverzekering verwijzen wij naar salt room reimbursementWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

15. Can you do halotherapy at home?

Salt lamps, salt stones, nasal spray, or steam inhalation are not the same as professional halotherapy. A decorative salt wall at home does not produce a controlled dry salt aerosol. If you want to experience the effect of a professional salt room, a visit to a halotherapy center with a halogenerator is the way to go.

16. Can halotherapy be combined with physiotherapy?

Yes. Halotherapy and physiotherapy are not mutually exclusive and are often used alongside each other. However, halotherapy is not a substitute for necessary physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, or medical rehabilitation. For complex complaints, we advise coordination with your physiotherapist or doctor.

17. Does salt therapy help with stress?

Halotherapy is not a medical treatment for stress disorders, but many visitors experience a session as beneficial and calming: an hour without a phone, schedule, or stimuli. Read more in our article about halotherapy, wellness and relaxationWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

18. Where can you find halotherapy in the Netherlands?

HaloClinic Netherlands is a professional provider of dry halotherapy with two locations:

• HaloClinic Zaandam — vlaggenschip zoutkamer met aparte kinderzoutkamer. Goed bereikbaar vanuit Zaanstad, Purmerend, Alkmaar en Amsterdam-Noord. View the location in ZaandamWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.
• HaloClinic Heemstede — professionele zoutkamer met kinderhoek. Goed bereikbaar vanuit Haarlem, Bloemendaal, Hoofddorp en Kennemerland. View the location in HeemstedeWould you like to experience how halotherapy, wellness, and relaxation come together? Then visit one of the salt rooms at HaloClinic Netherlands in Zaandam or Heemstede.

19. For whom might halotherapy be interesting?

• people with respiratory complaints;
• people with skin complaints;
• people with allergies, hay fever or sensitive mucous membranes;
• people with persistent mucus or a long-lasting cough;
• people who consciously seek rest and relaxation;
• visitors who wish to use halotherapy to promote recovery alongside other treatments;
• everyone who wants to get acquainted first with a free, no-obligation session.

Written based on the practical experience of HaloClinic Netherlands. Content drafted and reviewed by Ran Derei, founder of HaloClinic Netherlands and involved in professional halotherapy on a daily basis since 2011.