Perhaps you’ve seen or heard the name, Halo Haven, or walked by it while shopping at the Penn Hills Plaza. Maybe you’ve stopped in to see what it’s all about. If you did, then you know that it’s all about salt. Dry salt therapy. Halo is a Greek prefix, which means salt, in biology. And Haven, a shelter or harbor; hence the name, Halo Haven. Dry salt therapy is a holistic, drug-free, natural therapy

Brandon Cotner, co-owner, along with his father, Dan Cotner, explains how he became convinced of the health benefits of salt. “I grew up in this area. After graduation, I went to school in Daytona Beach for three and a half years. While there, I realized I was never sick. I didn’t suffer from colds or sinus problems. My skin was very healthy. Through research and converastions with residents, I learned that it’s been known since the 1800’s that salt air is very good for our bodies. It’s a natural immune booster.”

Dr. Cotner opened his chiropractic office, Cotner Chiropractic Center, LLC, at Penn Hills Plaza in 2018, with plans to offer salt therapy in the future. Halo Haven opened its doors on May 12, 2023 (“Grandma Jane’s birthday”). Therapies offered at Halo Haven include: Infrared Sauna: Infrared light warms the body from within rather than just heating the air around you; Hydromassage: combines heat and massage while you remain fully clothed; Sensory Deprivation Flotation Orb: Float in a solution that is 2/3 water and 1/3 Epson Salt. The density of the saltwater releases the body from approximately 80% of gravity usually felt, allows the body to decompress, recuperate and heal while floating. Within these different therapies, there are different modalities and time periods offered. All are based in the use of salt.

Dan Cotner comments that there is more concentration of salt in the Flotation Orb than in the oceans. “The ocean has always been known for its healing qualities, and dry salt therapy actually began in the 1800’s. People in the salt mines in Europe were particularly healthy, and this fact led to an investigation of why, and promotion of similar environments for health benefits,” he says.

“Clients come to us with a variety of problems they’d like to address,” Brandon says. “These could include sinus problems, muscle stiffness or soreness, chronic pain, colds, allergies, acne, eczema, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, emphysema, and other conditions.” Cotner emphasizes that they do not make diagnoses. “We listen to them, explain how the different therapies work, and say, ‘give it a try–see if it helps.’ We do share the feedback we get from clients who have used the dry salt therapies for different conditions–and there are many positive ones to share. Dry salt therapy does help a lot of people.”

Prices range from $15 (10- minute Hydro massage) to $90 (90-minute Deprivation Orb). Halo Haven is located at 21 Kristi Road Suite 5, in Muncy in the Penn Hills Plaza. 570-772-9936. https://www.vagaro.com/halohaven email:HaloHaven2023@gmail.com.

There is a Thank you/Welcome offer happening during November and December at Halo Haven. Spend $50 and receive a $20 gift card, which is good until March 31.