Michelle from Sereniti Salt Retreat tells us everything we need to know about halotherapy – and how it can help long Covid sufferers
We caught up with Sereniti Salt Retreat owner Michelle Grogan to find out how this special salt therapy can benefit our skin, respiratory health, and immune system.
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When we decide to give ourselves a little TLC by visiting a retreat, it’s the chance to get away from our busy lives and take some time to relax that makes us feel so zen.
But who knew that some treatments can actually benefit our physical long-term health, too?
Sereniti Salt Retreat, that’s who. Home to the North East’s first halotherapy room (we’ll explain more about that later), Sereniti’s range of cutting-edge holistic treatments have been proven to significantly improve respiratory problems and boost our immune systems, as well as helping to reclaim our skin’s natural radiance and ‘detox’ in every sense of the word.
But how can one retreat help us achieve all these miracles, we hear you ask? We didn’t know. That’s why we caught up with Sereniti owner and founder Michelle Grogan to find out…
Tell us what Sereniti Salt Retreat is all about.
Sereniti Salt Retreat is dedicated to restoring the optimum health and wellbeing of each individual client, by offering bespoke treatment packages exclusive to the North East. We offer therapies tailored to our client’s needs, whether they be physical, emotional, energetic, or spiritual. I’ve taken my passion for natural wellbeing, along with my 25+ years of experience in IT, to create advanced technology solutions for modern health and wellbeing concerns.
In essence, we have combined holistic therapies with technology to create a unique synergy of health and wellbeing. What makes us extra special is that we’re the only retreat in the North East where you can access some of these treatments. We also have a fantastic team of qualified and experienced therapists who are exceptional at what they do.
Sereniti has the North East’s first halotherapy room. What is halotherapy?
Halotherapy – also known as salt therapy – is a natural, drug-free treatment set in an environment that simulates a natural salt cave. Within the salt room, the walls and floor are adorned with salt and pure medical-grade salt is dispersed into the air.
And what are the main benefits?
The salt specifically helps clients who have respiratory and skin issues – particularly those with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, psoriasis, eczema and allergies – as well as helping ease some sleep issues too. The treatment is naturally detoxing and great for boosting the immune system.
Scientific research has found that inhaled dry salt particles have mucokinetic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation in the entire respiratory tract and widen the airway passages.
Dry salt particles are also known to accelerate the movement of mucus and foreign allergens, helping to remove the build up that can cause various respiratory ailments and conditions. A clean respiratory system naturally results in a higher oxygen intake, increased energy and an improved immune system.
Why do you think no-one’s brought the treatment to the region before now?
I’m not sure why no-one has created a salt room in the region before now, as it can be so beneficial for everyone’s health, at any age. A lot of health trends used to start down south or abroad, and then we would follow here in the North East years later.
I think now with the internet, and with us all being more interested in our own health, we’re seeing more treatments being available everywhere. At Sereniti, our mission is to continue to research and expand on what we provide, so that we can continue to bring new treatments to the North East.
Would you say halotherapy could better equip us to cope with infections like COVID in the future?
Definitely. We have had clients over the past couple of years with respiratory conditions such as COPD, pleural plaques, asthma and bronchiectasis, who have all benefitted from salt therapy.
We’re currently trialling some of our treatments with long Covid clients, to understand the benefits of using salt therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, infrared sauna, lymphatics and red light therapy with a nutritional supplement support protocol.
Sereniti isn’t all about halotherapy though. Can you tell us what other treatments you offer?
Since opening, we’ve vastly expanded our treatments and we’re always looking to offer something new.
One of our most popular treatments is BioResonance Therapy, which provides a really good understanding of where a client needs to improve their overall health and wellbeing habits. Sensitivity testing – using BioResonance Technology – helps us to identify any imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and food sensitivities (plus a lot more!). This treatment is available in our retreat or can be done remotely with a hair or nail sample.
Another popular treatment we offer is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves supplying the body’s blood and tissues with pure oxygen in order to promote healing. Your lungs are then able to gather up to three times more oxygen than they would normally. HBOT can boost energy, relieve muscular tension, improve sleep, increase metabolism, detoxify, relieve pain or aches faster, improve concentration and promote healing.
We also offer infrared sauna, ozone sauna therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), lymphatics, Bowen technique, energy therapy, hypnotherapy, access bars and reiki.
What inspired you to enter into this line of work?
I worked in IT for the majority of my career in Major Incident Management, so opening Sereniti was the complete opposite of everything I’d ever done. Prior to leaving my old career, I retrained in NLP and hypnotherapy, as it was something I had always been interested in but never had enough time to pursue.
Once I started the course, I was hooked. I started to explore more holistic treatments, which led me to completely changing my career path. I still have a fascination with technology, but now I also have an interest in holistic therapies too, hence bringing them both together. I’m always researching and looking for new wellness treatments to bring to Newcastle.
My incident background has been pivotal in creating Sereniti, as we don’t just look to provide treatments, but we really strive to understand the root cause of the issues we’re presented with. I absolutely love what we do, which I think is key to providing a great service and really making a difference to our clients’ lives.
What made you first start up Sereniti?
My mam has COPD and I had other friends and family who struggled with respiratory and allergy symptoms. The salt room has really helped them with breathing issues and sleep problems and has improved their overall sense of wellbeing.
When I was first introduced to the treatment, I just knew it would be fantastic. But I still researched endlessly before I took the plunge. I started the business on the premise that it would be great for my friends and family initially, and that it was completely new and unique for the North East.
It wasn’t easy at all, especially working full-time. It took a long time to create the salt room and set up the retreat, but it was totally worth it. It was definitely the right choice and I’m so proud of all that we’ve achieved.
Who would benefit most from the treatments you offer at Sereniti?
Everyone. From a baby with skin issues and children with asthma to adults with allergies, autoimmune issues and breathing problems, long Covid sufferers, or anyone who simply wants to boost their energy levels and immune systems and to relax. The treatments are natural and suitable for all ages.
What’s next for Sereniti Salt Retreat?
We have lots of new plans in the pipeline. We’re putting some dates out for September for a couple of training courses in Lymphatics and Bowen techniques, with the plan to do more advanced courses later in the year.
We are trialling some bespoke Long Covid Packages, which will be available from the beginning of September. We have also partnered with The Thyroflex to undertake thyroid testing using patented technology only available at Sereniti.
We really want to expand the retreat and will continue to push the boundaries of natural health and wellbeing technologies to keep the North East at the forefront of the latest trends and holistic treatments.
Ready to book? Find out more about the holistic treatments that Sereniti Salt Retreat offer on their website, Facebook page and Instagram.
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