SALISBURY – Dry-salt therapy to fight toxins, loosen airways and promote relaxation is now available in the salt room at a new downtown spa.

Salisbury Salt Spa offers the therapy, better known as halotherapy. The business, co-owned by Tricia Cole and Tressie Dunaway, opened this month at 120 E. Fisher St.

The salt room includes lounge chairs, a floor full of pharmaceutical-grade and 99.99% pure granular sodium chloride, and soothing music for each therapy session.

The pharmaceutical salt is ground with a machine called a halogenerator, which grinds it to microparticles and disperses them into the air. The process is said to break up mucus, reduce inflammation, and result in clearer airways in the body.

“You can see the dust of the salt in the air as it circulates the room,” Cole said. “I inform guests that these are loungers, (so) lay back. I set the temperature to about 70 degrees, and I tell them put the blanket over you if you want.”

“After that, I have them to do about five reps of deep breathing,” said Cole.

The business offers 20-minute sessions Monday through Friday and 45-minute sessions Monday through Sunday.

Halotherapy is said to help people who suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma, coughs, colds, flu, sinus problems, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies and emphysema.

It is also said to be beneficial to people with skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis and can help with stress, anxiety and fatigue.

According to Cole, salt therapy can also help people meditate and quiet their mind.

Cole said she would love to one day add a sensory-deprivation tank at the spa.

She dreams of expanding to nearby cities such as Albemarle and opening multiple salt spas.

“I enjoy coming to work here,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”

Cole said she and partner Dunaway would like to add a children’s facility.

“I always liked downtown. The brick road on Fisher Street, this was the perfect spot,” Cole said when asked why they decided to open in downtown Salisbury.

She gave the place a personal touch by making custom benches for seating in the lobby as well as other custom furniture crafted by friends and family members.

Session packages are available. Guests are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing and white socks, as well as arrive 15 minutes early for their appointment.