Frequently Asked Questions

We have been in the same shoes when we have decided to start our Salt Cave business. We know that you have so many questions now and to help to understand the therapy and to be able to decide if it is the right business opportunity for you we have collected the most frequent questions, answered them and arranged the below 3 categories:

Salt Therapy - Dry Saline Diffuser medical device | Planning, Installation, fitting in works | Operation, finance

Salt Therapy - Dry Saline Diffuser medical device

1. What is Salt Therapy?

Salt Therapy is a high dispersion saline aerosol microclimate treatment. It is a therapeutic method based on the principle of natural salt mine’s microclimate (Speleotherapy), which is prolonged exposure to the specific microclimate of caves and salt mines. It’s a patented method where dry salt aerosol plays an important role in the relief of health problems, and is mainly used for patients with different respiratory and skin problems. For further information about the therapy please visit our website: http://www.saltcave.co.uk/

2. What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled devices?

Majority of the devices available on the market are not 'controlled' devices, they don't have a laser sensor located in the salt cave and microprocessors in the device therefore they can not measure the concentration, the negative ionized charging and the size of the particles. This is why controlled devices (like the one we are using) are much better; they can generate and maintain the most efficient microclimate in the cave with appropriate concentration, charging and particle size. This is the key to patients to be healed.

3. Is it a medical device?

Yes, the device is classified as a medical device in the lowest risk category at the European Union and in Canada.

4. Is any warranty on the device?

Two years warranty is provided on the device. Due to 20 years development the failure rate is really low, it is very unlikely that the machine will break down.

5. What regular maintenance / servicing is needed?

We will provide description about the maintenance needs to be done on a regular basis. It can be done by you, no specialist or cost is involved.

6. Why are we better than the others on the market?

Our technology is tried, tested and proven. You can visit us anytime and can see the results yourself. We are not just selling the technology, but we are also using it. You won't just get the best device and a bunch of salt from us. We deliver SOLUTION to our clients. We will help you from the first second: to find the best location, to plan and build your premises, to get permission from the council to operate, to install the best interior and cooling/heating system. We will give you advice regarding the operation as well, which practice management system to use, online and offline marketing, using PR tools and how to handle the high number of calls using a reception service connected to your database.

We will tell you how to work with doctors, schools and to build up strategic partnership with sportsmen and athletes. With us you will reduce your learning curve as much as possible and run a successful, cost efficient business.

We and the manufacturer are also in cooperation with Prof Chervinskaya who spent 20 years on Speleotherapy researches and medical studies, she has written the majority of the available clinical documentation about the therapy.

7. Which countries are delivering to?

We can deliver dry saline aerosol devices and provide the consultancy service anywhere in the world. The only service what we can provide in the UK only is the 'Ready-To-Open' package which mean that we (with the same contractors who built our salt cave) execute all the fitting in works as well.

Planning, Installation, fitting in works

1. Where do we recommend it to be established?

You can establish a salt cave in your SPA/Hotel, surgery or as an individual clinic.

2. What is the recommended size of the property?

The salt cave needs up to 30 sqm space (the device can handle up to 100 m3 air). With changing room, technical room, reception you will need around 100-120 sqm. In a 30 sqm cave you can treat 10 people at the same time.

3. Does it matter what kind of activity is operating next to my property?

To achieve a cave-like effect no window is recommended. If there is any it should be faded down. In the neighbourhood there should not be any vibration or odour generating activity. It there is any it can cause extra costs.

4. Will I receive any help with the council permission of my Salt Cave?

Yes, first of all we will give you advice about choosing the right location based on the patient’s profile (e.g. distance to schools, nurseries, etc). We will also help you with which property classification is acceptable. Afterwards we will provide you technical backing for your council to prove that it is a professional technology in order to get the permission for the operation.

5. What internal design can be used?

As long as no chemical material is used and the humidity requirement is passed (e.g. fountain is not allowed) the opportunities are endless. We created an artificial salt cave atmosphere with installing 2 tonnes of salt on the walls and floor and fibre optic lights on the ceiling. If you prefer you can use salt bricks since the salt in the room does not contribute to the microclimate. It is purely for decoration purposes; solely the Dry Saline Diffuser medical device is responsible for the microclimate.

6. Do I need to replace the salt in the cave?

The salt located in the salt cave is purely for decoration purposes and it does not contribute to the microclimate. Therefore salt does not have to be replaced to improve the microclimate. Normally it is not necessary to replace the salt for hygiene purposes either as patients do not bring in pollution or dirt, they wear shoe covers and hairnet. If you find the salt on the floor dirty after 1-2 years it can be replaced, but you still don't have to do anything with the salt on the walls.

7. What kind of special material do I need to use?

Due to corrosion effect of the salt at some instances special materials has to be used. We will provide you all the technical information about which type of drywall/plasterboard, screw, insulation, paints, ventilators, can be used, type and distance between the poles supporting the drywalls, etc.

8. Is there any special requirement for the temperature and humidity I have to maintain in the cave?

Yes, you have to make sure that the relative humidity is between 40-70% and the temperature is between 20-25 C. If the humidity or the temperature is higher then forced air condition system has to be installed. If the humidity is not in the above range the healing effect of the therapy will decrease.

9. Do I need to blow out the used air after the therapy?

Yes. You will need to install a ventilation system to exchange the used air to fresh new one after each therapy. We will provide you the technical requirements for the fans, ducting system, filters, motorized dampers, etc.

10. Do I need special contractors or a salt cave builder company?

You can use any local contractor team. Based on the layout and structure of your property we will provide a detailed technical documentation and your builders can fit in your salt cave based on that.

11. Can you do all the fitting in works on my behalf?

In the UK yes, we can provide you a Ready-To-Open solution. It means that the same contractors do all the work who built our business unit, you just give us your keys for your property then sit back and relax. We do all the works from setting up the reception, other locations, fire alarm system until setting up the cave itself. We provide all furniture, install the device and give you back the keys when the business unit is ready to open. You just have to attend the training courses and you can start to provide Salt Therapy to your clients. And all this is cheaper than you would think.

12. How long does it take to do all the preparation and fitting in works?

If the council is happy with the current classification the fitting in works will take 6-8 weeks. If the property classification has to be changed the planning application procedure takes for 6 weeks at least.

Operations, finance

1. How long a session takes and how many sessions can I do during the day?

A session takes 60 minutes (some salt caves do it for 45 minutes for children) and you can treat 10 people at the same time. You need at least 20 minutes between two sessions as the ventilation system has to replace the used air with a fresh filtered air form outside in the whole cave. Based on this we recommend to have 6-7 sessions daily.

2. Running costs?

The only Salt Therapy specific running cost for you will face is the salt you will use for the Dry Saline Diffuser medical device. This cost will be max £50/month. Obviously you still have to calculate with rent/lease and marketing costs.

3. What is the turnover a Salt Cave can generate?

Based on the PR and marketing activity and whether you have arranged the support of health insurance companies monthly €10-30k can be achieved. We have achieved €10k/month after four months of operation without health insurance coverage.

4. Are Private Health Insurance companies covering Salt Therapy?

It depends on the health insurance coverage of the given country. Insurance coverage for the therapy can be arranged, but it takes some time. Support to get health insurance coverage will be provided.

5. Cost of the salt for internal decoration?

The cost of the salt for the internal decoration (2 tonnes) is around £500-600. Specification will be provided and the salt can be purchased locally.

6. Is it a franchise or license business format?

It is not a franchise neither a license. We sell a dry saline aerosol device to you, 12 month consultancy service can be also purchased (it is not compulsory but recommended) and in the UK we can also arrange the whole fitting in process with our contractors.

7. What set up costs will I face?

About our services you can find further information on the Prices part of the website. Upon that you will have to calculate with the buying/renting/leasing costs of the property, you have to arrange the fitting in works of the Salt Cave, technical room and if you don't have already available you also have to build a reception area, changing room, toilets, etc. The costs of this can be varying based on the property between £2-30k. Generally speaking you can calculate with the costs of the fitting in works of a normal property adding an extra 10% for the specialties.

8. Can I pay for the device in instalments?

Unfortunately we can not provide loans or financial services but we can help you to get an asset financing arranged at your bank with providing the requested information about the technology to your bank.