For one Sutherland family, an ancient-like form of healing is giving new meaning to 'rubbing salt in the wound.'
Melita Walker, a mum of two girls, discovered salt therapy, and was blown away by its power.
Far from being a sceptic to the idea, she gave it a go. That was three years ago, and since then, she says her daughters have fended off winter colds, tummy bugs and other airborne germs.
She has been taking Charlotte, 8, and Emily, 10, to Shire Salt Rooms at Sylvania, a combination of private and shared rooms that are, as they suggest, simply full of salt.
The visits have particularly helped her eldest, Emily, who has Down syndrome, she says. Not only is it relaxing and helps her unwind after school, but is has also cleared her croup and promoted faster healing after being diagnosed with hand, food and mouth disease.
"Emily wouldn't take ventolin - she didn't like it. So I was looking for alternatives because I don't like to dose her up on medication like steroids if I don't have to," Mrs Walker said.
"I went into it with an open mind. I noticed a big difference in just three weeks. Her breathing was better, her snoring from her sleep apnoea improved, and her cough didn't flare up. Neither of them have had gastro and Emily's scabs dried up quickly."
The benefits of salt therapy were first discovered in 1843 in Poland, where workers in underground salt mines suffered fewer respiratory issues.
Salt therapy is a natural remedy that involves inhaling pharmaceutical-grade dry salt in a comfortable, controlled environment.
A medical device called a halogenerator disperses microscopic salt particles into the room. The idea is that once they land on the skin and are inhaled into the airways and lungs, the absorbtion can have anti-inflammatory effects.
It can help eczema and psoriasis, asthma, hayfever, sinusitis, and lifestyle conditions including sleep, stress, anxiety, fatigue and sports performance.
Each week the Walkers all have about three 45-minute salt sessions. Although Emily is non-verbal, Mrs Walker says she knows her daughter enjoys the treatment.
"Her skin is better but I've noticed a change in her demenour," Mrs Walker said. "It's a really calming experience for her. She goes in straight after school, and watches The Wiggles in there. It works for us and our paediatrician has been supportive of it."
People are recommended to speak with their GP before starting salt therapy as it is a complementary treatment designed to be used with conventional medicine.
