Thick mucus. Frequent coughing. Airways that are hard to keep clear. Recurring infections. And every day, dealing with breathing and clearing mucus all over again.
With cystic fibrosis, mucus is not just a symptom. It is one of the main problems in the airways. The mucus is thicker and stickier than normal, making it harder to clear.
At HaloClinic, we therefore focus on something very specific: loosening mucus and keeping the airways as clear as possible.
During a 60-minute session, a professional halogenerator disperses microscopically fine, dry particles of medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt throughout the salt room.
You sit. You breathe. The salt does its work.
60 minutes · Free · No obligation · Zaandam or Heemstede
What do you really want to achieve?
People with cystic fibrosis do not come to HaloClinic because they are interested in salt. They want to:
- loosen thick mucus more easily
- cough up mucus more effectively
- keep their airways clearer
- breathe more freely
- feel less congestion in the chest
- have more energy left
- spend less time dealing with trapped mucus
- keep their airways in the best possible condition
Why is mucus such a problem in cystic fibrosis?
In cystic fibrosis, mucus in the airways and elsewhere is exceptionally thick and sticky. As a result:
- it sticks to the airways more easily
- it is harder for the cilia to clear
- more coughing is needed to get rid of it
- bacteria remain more easily in mucus left behind
- the airways become irritated more quickly
thick mucus → stays trapped → bacteria → inflammation → even harder mucus clearance
That is why getting mucus moving matters
An important daily goal in cystic fibrosis is to prevent thick mucus from remaining in the airways for long periods.
At HaloClinic, we use professional dry salt inhalation to loosen mucus and promote its natural clearance from the airways.
What loosens can be cleared.
How does the salt reach the airways?
A professional halogenerator processes medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt into microscopically fine, dry salt particles. The dry salt aerosol is dispersed throughout the room in a controlled manner for the entire session.
During normal breathing, these particles enter through the nose and throat and reach the bronchi and deeper airways.
- No mask
- No mouthpiece
- No special breathing exercises
- You sit and breathe normally
What does halotherapy do for cystic fibrosis?
- Loosens thick mucus
- Promotes mucus clearance
- Makes coughing up mucus easier
- Cleanses the airways
- Reduces mucus buildup
- Promotes freer breathing
- Keeps the nose and upper airways clearer
- Promotes calmer breathing
- Promotes daily airway maintenance
Loosening mucus is not a one-time task. The challenge returns every day.
Cystic fibrosis is not a condition that appears once and then disappears. The problem of thick mucus keeps returning.
That is why it is important not only to think: “What do I do when mucus gets trapped?” but also:
“How do I keep my airways as clear as possible over the long term?”
That is exactly why regular maintenance is central.
Professional dry salt inhalation versus salt on the walls
Salt bricks on the walls do not make a salt room professional. At HaloClinic, the halogenerator is the most important component. It continuously produces a controlled dry salt aerosol throughout the session.
That is the difference between sitting in a room with salt and professional dry salt inhalation.
Hypertonic saline and cystic fibrosis
Salt has long been studied and used in cystic fibrosis because of its effect on thick mucus and mucus clearance.
Long-term inhalation of hypertonic saline in cystic fibrosis
What was studied? A controlled study of long-term inhalation of hypertonic saline in people with cystic fibrosis.
What was found? Better mucus clearance, less trapped mucus and better lung-related outcomes.
Why is this relevant? It shows that salt inhalation directly affects thick mucus.
Read the studyCochrane review of hypertonic saline in cystic fibrosis
What was studied? An overview of multiple studies on nebulised hypertonic saline in cystic fibrosis.
What was found? Short-term improvement in lung function and promotion of mucus clearance.
Why is this relevant? One of the most authoritative reviews on salt and thick mucus.
Read the studySalt aerosol and mucus clearance by the cilia
What was studied? Whether inhaling salt aerosol improves natural mucus clearance by the cilia.
What was found? Mucus moved more effectively: the airways cleansed themselves more easily.
Why is this relevant? It is precisely this clearance by the cilia that breaks down in cystic fibrosis.
Read the studyMannitol and mucus clearance in cystic fibrosis
What was studied? Inhaled mannitol and hypertonic saline in people with cystic fibrosis.
What was found? Both improved bronchial mucus clearance.
Why is this relevant? Drawing moisture into thick mucus makes it easier to clear.
Read the studyCystic fibrosis, thick mucus and lung inflammation
What was studied? A review of how cystic fibrosis affects the lungs through disrupted salt and fluid transport.
What was found? Thicker mucus, an airway surface that dries out faster and bacteria that remain trapped reinforce one another.
Why is this relevant? It explains why salt and moisture address the core of the problem.
Read the studySalt channels, thick mucus and immune defences in cystic fibrosis
What was studied? The role of salt channels and immune cells in cystic fibrosis.
What was found? A disrupted salt and fluid balance makes mucus thicker and is associated with inflammation.
Why is this relevant? This makes the connection between salt, mucus and infections clear.
Read the studyAlso read the science behind halotherapy.
Cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis
In cystic fibrosis, chronic mucus buildup and recurring infections can also lead to bronchiectasis. Read more about halotherapy for bronchiectasis. Are you also dealing with coughing or COPD and bronchitis? Here too, the focus is on loosening mucus and keeping the airways clear.
The nose and sinuses are part of the same airways
Cystic fibrosis does not just affect the lungs. The nose and sinuses also face thick mucus and congestion.
During professional dry salt inhalation, the dry salt particles are inhaled through the nose and airways. That is why we look beyond the lungs to the entire respiratory system. Read more about sinusitis.
Salt and airway recovery are not a new combination
The connection between salt and health goes back further than you think. As early as 1830, Polish physician Dr. Feliks Boczkowski discovered that salt miners hardly ever suffered from breathing problems.
Modern salt room technology brings this principle into a controlled treatment room. A professional halogenerator produces a dry aerosol of microscopically fine particles of medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt throughout the session.
Read the history of halotherapy.
Research at HaloClinic Nederland
A researcher from VU Amsterdam followed 12 HaloClinic clients with various respiratory complaints. This research was not specifically about cystic fibrosis.
clients followed
used medication
stopped completely
reduced medication use
reported improvement
Reports within this study group included:
- less coughing
- less shortness of breath
- easier breathing
- less mucus
- fewer colds
How often should you visit the salt room for cystic fibrosis?
One session introduces you to the experience. Thick mucus requires ongoing maintenance.
For cystic fibrosis, you start with 2–3× per week. The initial course is approx. 15–20 sessions. After that: Maintenance depending on complaints.
Children are welcome too
Children are welcome at HaloClinic from 6 months of age. HaloClinic in Zaandam has a separate children's salt room.
- No mask
- No mouthpiece
- No special breathing exercise
The child stays in the salt room while the halogenerator disperses the dry medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt particles.
60 minutes
- Keep your regular clothes on
- Hairnet and white shoe covers
- Comfortable chair
- Breathe normally
- 60 minutes of dry salt aerosol
No complicated treatment. Just breathe.
Why HaloClinic?
- Professional halotherapy since 2011
- 15 years of practical experience
- Thousands of visitors
- Experience with chronic mucus problems
- Professional halogenerator
- Medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt
- 60-minute sessions
- Children from 6 months of age
- Separate children's salt room in Zaandam
- Scientific studies on salt and mucus clearance
- First session free
What does a first visit cost?
Your first session is free
You do not have to buy a package straight away. You do not have to decide in advance whether professional dry salt inhalation is right for you.
Come and experience 60 minutes for yourself first.
- Professional dry salt inhalation
- Medicinal (pharmaceutical-grade) salt
- 60 minutes
- Zaandam or Heemstede
- Free
- No obligation
Locations
Explore our salt room in Zaandam or the salt room in Heemstede.
Frequently asked questions about cystic fibrosis and halotherapy
Does halotherapy help with cystic fibrosis?
Yes. Professional dry salt inhalation loosens thick mucus, promotes its clearance and cleanses the airways.
Why is salt relevant to thick mucus?
Salt draws moisture into the mucus, making it easier to clear. Hypertonic saline has long been studied in cystic fibrosis. View the studies.
Do I need a mask or mouthpiece?
No. You sit in a comfortable chair for 60 minutes and breathe normally.
Is halotherapy suitable for children with cystic fibrosis?
Children are welcome from 6 months of age. There is a separate children's salt room in Zaandam. Read more about halotherapy for children.
How many sessions are needed for cystic fibrosis?
According to our treatment guide, you start with 2–3× per week, with an initial course of approx. 15–20 sessions. After that: Maintenance depending on complaints. View the treatment guide.
Can I try it free first?
Yes. Your first 60-minute session is free and comes with no obligation, in Zaandam or Heemstede.
If thick mucus returns every day, mucus clearance deserves attention every day.
With cystic fibrosis, keeping the airways clear is no minor detail. It is a daily priority.
Experience 60 minutes of professional dry salt inhalation for yourself. First session €0.
Zaandam + Heemstede · Since 2011 · 60 minutes