Worth your health in salt

For David Maxwell, salt is like a breath of fresh air. Maxwell has spent several years battling leukemia, which has recently spread to his lung. Because he struggled to breathe, he was forced to quit playing the saxophone, his hobby for seventy-five years.

In August, he began undergoing treatment at the Salt Room in The Villages. Several times each week, he would lie peacefully for forty-five minutes inside a spa-like, salt-covered room while breathing in salt particles. After only five treatments, his breathing improved dramatically, and he was back to playing the saxophone.

“I play in two bands, so being able to use the saxophone is important to me,” Maxwell says. “Salt therapy has worked wonders for me. When you are inside the salt therapy room, you fall asleep in a matter of minutes and the rest of the world goes away. There are no cell phones going off or people to deal with. Most importantly, I walk out of the room breathing much better.”

The Salt Room was opened last May by Rebecca James. Inside are three separate rooms where the walls, ceilings, and floors are covered with Bahamian sea salt. Clients relax in the comfort of a zero-gravity lounge chair while soothing music plays in the background. As they breathe in salt, the salt particles act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent and help remove bacteria, mucus, and pollutants inside the respiratory tract. Thus, they enjoy much-improved lung function.

Rebecca has seen tremendous improvement in patients who suffer from allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, sinusitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Salt therapy is also beneficial for skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. “Some of our clients with allergies no longer have to take medication,” she says. “We’ve had some people come in who could no longer smell or taste. After several salt therapy treatments, their senses came back completely.”

Rebecca has witnessed the benefits of salt therapy up close and personal. Several years ago, her 2-year-old son, Reilly, suffered from chronic bronchitis. Doctors prescribed him steroid medication and a nebulizer. Rebecca started taking him to the Salt Room in Orlando, and his condition improved immediately. Now, three years later, he is off all medication.

Rebecca was so impressed that she contacted Jerry and Ashley Lewless, owners of the Salt Room in Orlando, about opening a location in The Villages. The three are now business partners.

In addition to salt therapy, Rebecca offers yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, skin care, and Reiki healing. “I love working in The Villages because I am able to interact with an amazing group of clients,” Rebecca says. “They are open to natural therapy and have enjoyed great results.”

The Salt Room is located in Kohl’s shopping plaza at 480 North Highway 27/441 in Lady Lake. For more information, visit www.SaltRoomVillages.com or call 352.750.9909.

The Salt Room

480 North Highway 27/441, Lady Lake 352.750.9909 // www.SaltRoomVillages.com