A specialty Urbana spa offers area residents the chance to relax and fend off stress while also providing relief from a variety of health ailments through unique and alternative methods that are utilized in communities around the world.
Melinda and Brian Kondracki purchased NaCl Salt Spa, Massage Therapy and Reflexology, at 1472 E. U.S. Route 36, Suite E, Urbana, about a year ago, a business that has been in operation for approximately three years.
Since then, they have been working to expand available services, and the spa also hosts various events at the facility, including “salty painting” sessions, recent trick-or-treat activities for youths and upcoming holiday activities for families.
Mrs. Kondracki said their business name “NaCl” refers to the periodic table sign for sodium chloride, commonly known as salt – “one of the most abundant minerals on earth, and also an essential nutrient for many plants and animals.”
To employ the natural benefits of salt, the spa offers halotherapy, an alternative treatment that involves breathing salty air.
“The salt we use at the spa is 99.99 percent sodium choloride. Salt is an antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial,” the business owners explained.
“It’s good for colds, COPD and asthma because it helps to cleanse the lungs. It’s also good for the skin, promoting your skin’s ‘good’ bacteria. It improves the skin’s protective properties, reducing inflammation and encourages natural exfoliation and regeneration.”
In addition, the owners related that halotherapy can be helpful in treating chronic bronchitis, allergies, hay fever, ease smoking-related symptoms, ear infections, headaches, sinus infections, eczema, acne and other health issues, detailed at the business’ website, naclsaltspa.com.
The spa offers three salt rooms, which includes a children’s room (geared for newborns to age 10), a private two-person room and a semi-private six person room.
During the sessions, the halogenerator’s salt feeder and a grinder alters the salt into fine salt granules. The micro-sized salt particles are then dispersed as dry aerosol through a fan that is connected to the salt therapy room.
Once the dry salt is inhaled, the salt causes the user’s mucus to thin and liquefy, making it easier to dislodge and expel, along with pathogens, debris and pollutants, the owners explained. The process also activates the immune system, including leukocyte (blood cells that help fight infection) and the formation of antibodies.
NaCl Salt Spa is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closing earlier those two days to enable private party bookings, Mrs. Kondracki said.
In addition to halotherapy, a number of other services are available, including a detox foot bath. Rather than using bubbles to soothe away the foot aches and pains, this foot spa instead uses water charged with positive and negative ions — electrolytes.
“The process draws toxins in the body out through your feet through a process of exchange between the positive and negative ions in your body, and their opposite numbers in the water,” the owners explained via their website.
Massage therapy also is available on site, performed by trained and licensed medical professionals. Specialized services include salty massage, couple’s massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and reflex massage (a combination of reflexology and massage performed in the same session).
Mrs. Kondracki said reflexology focuses on the pressure points in the hands, feet and/or ears. Massage and reflexology are offered by themselves or can be combined with a halotherapy session.
Another therapeutic offering is infrared sauna pods, which can offer relief from arthritis, dealing with sore muscles and other aches and pains, Mrs. Kondracki related.
The newest offering at NaCl Salt Spa is the oxygen bar, which clients can choose as a stand-alone service or as an add-on to other services. The oxygen bar is typically accompanied by calming aromatherapy, with a variety of scent choices.
In the New Year, the spa owners are excited to unveil the newest offering — a specialty flow tub with highly-concentrated epsom salt water, a soothing technique that takes gravity off of the body
“When you sit in it, you automatically float,” Mrs. Kondracki said.
The couple invites the community to various upcoming events as well, including Mrs. Claus’ visit to the Salt Spa beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, offering families and their children the chance to enjoy holiday fun.
The “salty painting” sessions are offered regularly as well, where participants have the chance to hone their painting skills while also relaxing with halotherapy. Details about upcoming session dates are included on the “NaCl Salt Spa, Massage Therapy & Reflexology” Facebook page.
Home sessions also are available for those who are unable to come to the spa. For more information on any of the services and pricing, contact the business at (937) 508-4529.