Salt room therapy helps those who suffer from allergies and asthma

If you have problems with allergies or asthma, a new therapy is now available in Tampa that is both ancient and cutting edge. Tampa's first salt room therapy center is open.

We took a tour and talked with a local woman who says she's now off her medications and feeling better.

Nozomi Mueller appears to be resting in a spa but this St. Petersburg resident
drove across the bridge to breath easy in Tampa for some relief.

“I’ve been suffering from sinus and allergies for the past couple of years and I've had 2 sinus surgeries in the past 2 years," Mueller said.

She heard about natural salt therapy from a friend. Salt rooms like this are new to the U.S. Robert McDermott manages Breathing Clear in Tampa.

“The salt bricks are mined in the Ukraine. They are brought by boat on the way to Tampa. We unload them and build the salt rooms where the four walls are surrounded by these bricks. They are 98 percent sodium chloride so they are pure salt. What happens is if you keep the temperature and humidity at the right levels the salt naturally comes out of the bricks," McDermott said.

According to McDermott, the particles are so small  you easily breathe them in as you relax.

“It has the effect of thinning the secretions, any congestion in their lungs or in their sinuses," he said.

McDermott doesn't recommend the therapy for those with high blood pressure or for anyone going through cancer treatments, but he said it can work great for kids who have common childhood problems.

“So mothers will come to me and say my doctors wants me to put tubes in my sons ears or my doctor wants me to surgical remove the adenoids of my 3 year old daughter," DcDermott said.

He suggests they should try this nonsurgical method first and said that Doctor Oz backs the therapy.

“What Doctor Oz talked about on his TV show, is the salt pipe. The pipe has salt on this portion of the pipe that you put in your mouth and you breathe it in," he said.

 “After 5 sessions I started cutting down on my medications and this is my 12th session now and I'm drug free. Not using any medication," Mueller said.

However, because the therapy is new, insurance companies won't pay for it and each session is $45. In July and August,  Breathing Clear is offering a free session for anyone with no obligation to buy more sessions.

For more information:
Breathing Clear
3838 W Neptune St.
Suite D-2
Tampa 33629
813-463-2422