When Shane and Shelly Jackson’s daughter started having severe allergy problems, they turned to Western medicine for a cure.
However, Hillary Melesky, general manager of Salt Cave of Southlake, said the couple soon realized that their daughter would be overwhelmed with the medical treatments available.
“Shelly is a nurse by trade, so she practices Western medicine,” she said. “Doctors wanted to put [their daughter] on allergy shots, but that would be three or four times a week, something they didn’t want her to go through.”
Searching for alternative methods to help her daughter, Shelly came across halotherapy, or salt therapy.
“There are two places in the DFW area that they checked out, and one was in Fort Worth,” Melesky said. “However, they live in Colleyville and to drive all the way to Fort Worth was not feasible for them, so they said, ‘Hey, why don’t we bring one to Southlake?’”
The Jacksons opened Salt Cave of Southlake two years ago in August. Since then Melesky said more than 5,000 people have came in to be treated for various medical conditions.
“We use a pharmaceutical-grade Himalayan salt in our caves,” she said. “The benefit of the pharmaceutical-grade salt is it is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal. We primarily see people with respiratory conditions—allergies, asthma.”
Melesky said the cave has also helped people who have bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, the common cold, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
“Salt therapy is great for keeping your immune system healthy,” she said. “We have moms that will bring their kids in because they are trying to get their immune system up before going back to school where they are exposed to a ridiculous amount of germs.”
The business provides a service for all ages. For children, there is the kids cave, which has a layer of rock salt on the floor and toys for them to play with.
Adults have a couple of options, including the relaxation cave, which allows a group of customers to breathe in the Himalayan salt while relaxing on large chaise lounge chairs with something to drink, and the salt bed, which provides a private treatment room.
Melesky said something that is unique about Salt Cave of Southlake is that it offers haloyoga.
“We are one of the first studios in Texas to offer haloyoga, which is a combination of yoga and salt therapy.”
Guests do not have to sign up for treatments in order to take a yoga class.
“Yoga in our place is a completely different atmosphere than any other studio you’ll go to,” she said. “We keep the lights dim, and we don’t have mirrors in [the yoga cave] so you’re not trying to compare who’s next to you.”
A 45-minute session for the salt cave for age 13 and older costs $45, and $30 for age 12 and younger.
Guests can purchase several Himalayan products from the business, such as the muscle rub, room sprays, lamps and a cooking block.
The business also sells items for pets such as the Himalayan dog chews.
Melesky said whether guests come in to shop or for treatment, the staff will treat them like family.
“We want people to feel like family and at home and at peace when they are here.”
