JERUSALEM/ISRAEL: Israeli entrepreneurs offer hope to respiratory patients with a new twist on a century old therapy technique

Record ID: 396241

  • Title: JERUSALEM/ISRAEL: Israeli entrepreneurs offer hope to respiratory patients with a new twist on a century old therapy technique
  • Date: 19th March 2009
  • Summary: WALL OF SALT CHAMBER, BUILT OF SALT BRICKS MINED IN THE UKRAINE JONATHAN KESTENBAUM, ENTREPRENEUR WHO BUILT SALT CHAMBER SPA, SITTING NEAR SALT WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) JONATHAN KESTENBAUM, OWNER OF "BREATHEWELL," SAYING: "This method is something that was found more than a hundred years ago in salt mines in Poland, where a doctor responsible for the well-being of the m
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Health,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA6JUNU9X4BHF9G2HBV7520TKF2
  • Story Text: "Take everything with a pinch of salt," the saying goes, but in this alternative therapy method the salt is included - in tons.
    It all began when Jonathan Kestenbaum's infant son suffered from repeated ear infections. After visiting tens of doctors and trying different therapy methods, the father and son discovered salt chamber therapy, and finally found some relief.
    Salt chamber therapy, or Speleotherapy, is a non-invasive treatment, recommended for the relief of various breathing and respiratory conditions, including asthma, allergies, and chronic ear infections. The treatment can also help in the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients, says Kestenbaum. All that the patient needs to do is sit in the salt room, and breath-in the salt particles disintegrated into the air in the room.
    After his positive personal experience, the Jerusalem entrepreneur decided to check the commercial potential of the century old method, giving it a new Spa-like vibe.

    "This method is something that was found more than a hundred years ago in salt mines in Poland, where a doctor responsible for the well-being of the miners recorded that there was increased lung function in miners who were spending time in the salt caves. He realised that the unique micro-climate that is found in the salt mines were consisted of tiny particles of dry salt aerosol and by breathing-in that aerosol the salt particles were able to travel through the mouth all the way down to the lungs, thereby cleansing the lungs and helping release particles that are less desirable. The black, the gook, that covers the lungs and helping to bring them up and get them out of your system," Kestenbaum told Reuters television in his first facility in the town of Modi'in.
    The principle is quite simple, says salt chamber advisor Baruch Bekker, who built 15 small salt chambers in Israel and designed the Breathewell facility. Huge salt bricks, each weighing hundreds of pounds, were mined 300 metres under the Earth's surface in a salt mine in the Ukraine and later shipped to Israel. From the moment the 50 ton salt chamber was built, the rest of the process is quite natural.

    "The salt we are talking about is in a concentration of 98%. It's dry salt. In the moment the chamber is built, the salt begins absorbing the humidity and starts to disintegrate. A light salt spray fills up the chamber in quantities we can't see nor recognise. This also allows the respiratory system to infuse the salt deep into the lung, and to the root of the sinus.
    The goal is a thorough treatment," explained Bekker.
    Customers say the treatment really works.

    "I don't see a doctor. I am my own doctor. And I feel the breathing (improving), less mucous.." said Aviva Zamir, a salt room enthusiast.
    The recommended treatment, according to Bekker who is a professional nurse with years of experience in the respiratory field, is a one hour session, twice a week. Reading, listening to music and just relaxing are highly recommended by the clinic.
    The treatment is not thought to pose any risk but it is not designed to replace conventional treatment, Bekker emphasizes.
    Despite the fact that salt therapy has been widely used in Russia and Eastern Europe for decades, the Breathewell facility prides itself as being the first to have a specially designed room for children, who make up a large percentage of asthma patients. Sitting in the salt room is a very calming experience for children, especially those who are familiar with hospitals, doctors and invasive medical exams, Ketsenbaum says. A baby-sitter and plenty of toys and activities make the stay very similar to a play-date, not a doctor's appointment.

    "When he had mucous he didn't eat for about two weeks. Now it is much better, so I assume there is some progress," says Sahron Schumaceher, who brought her infant son to the facility.
    Conventional medicine has known the benefits of salt for many years, lung expert Dr. Ariel Rokach from the Shaare Zedek Medical Center told Reuters.

    "We know that salt absorbs water, and sometimes when we want somebody to take out all the sputum we give him high doses of 'normal saline,' and it means actually table salt in high concentration, to try to take out all the secretions. Actually this is the logic behind this treatment," Rokach said.
    Despite that, doctors are cautious in recommending the treatment, citing the lack of consistent research of the method.

    "Actually I dont think that there is any scientific proof that these chambers are really working. There is a logic to try maybe to investigate this option of treatment, but actually it's not something that was studied," Rokach said.
    After the successful opening of the Modi'in facility, Ketsenbaum and his partners are now preparing to open a second facility in Jerusalem. The fiscal potential, in their eyes, is unlimited.

    "The good thing about breathing is that everyone alive breathes, and therefore any product or service that you are able to offer in the breathing realm, everyone can really benefit from it. At some point of your life, everyone experiences difficulties breathing, whether you have asthma, or whether you are healthy and just have a cold. Whether you travel and because of that you experience altitude and your ears are popping, everyone experiences problems breathing with the respiratory track and these kinds of therapies, the salt therapy and others, are definitely in a position where they can help people in the most natural and simple form," says Kestenbaum.
    The company is now researching the American market, and are in negotiations with several respiratory centres in the United States to explore joint ventures. Clinical trials in cooperation with a major Israeli hospital are also planned for the near future.
    Breathewell are also considering additional treatments and services that can be provided in their existing facility, such as spa treatments using salt products, and yoga classes held in salt chambers.
    ends/SMc
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