Opinions please: I am thinking of creating a small salt retreat at the back of my house, what arevyour thoughts?

[Lilasimpson]

Hi all, I would like your opininion: i am a healthcare professional and would like to diversify. I suffer from eczema, my daughter from asthma and husband from insomnia... well I think most of it is due to stress, especially as dh will lose his job soon. We have a double garage at the back of our garden, actually looks like a mini house, maybe 40 square metres. Would lovebto convert it to a salt spa. The problems are: I am not sure it is feasible as I might need a bigger space. Even if it was, it is near a garage that repairs cars. My aim would be to create a completely peaceful atmosphere, where little kids with coughs, colds etc or adults could come to relax and heal from their conditions without too much medication. I could also help patients with their inhaler uses, advise on skincare or medication due to my background... I love the idea of natural healing and have always believed in that. I am so enthusiastic about this project! Would the fact that it is near a garage put you off as a customer? Would you be willing to try and if so how much would you like to spend? There is already a toilet, sink and loft but would need to rearrange everything to make it very attractive. Please give me your thoughts!!

[user1485861347]

I would definitely be interested but not sure if it would work for me though.... I suffer from psoriasis so salt baths and scrubs are amazing for me.

[CoteDAzur]

Personally, I wouldn't spend time in a place where lots of sick people visit. Especially if it's presented in the "alternative treatment" language that you are using.

Maybe present it as a place of relaxation and pampering. Can you offer massages and manicure, for example?

[AliceThrewTheFookingGlass]

I wouldn't go personally, sorry. I would spend the whole time wondering how good your cleaning was due to the contagious illnesses. There's just too much potential to arrive with stress and leave with the flu there.

If there was a no contagious illness policy of some sort I would think it's a good idea.

[Lilasimpson]

Thank you so much for your opinions. Very valued. I have talked to the existing spas around and did my research. ISalt is itself and antibacteriol and does not carry the germs. Medically proven. The sickness poicy is a very good idea. Really appreciate.

[Lilasimpson]

oops sorry for the typing mistakes, was rushing it as I am finishing my break at work!

[Lilasimpson]

Cote d'Azur, I understand what you mean. This is a good option too. However, I have no manicure or massage skills. Will definately be something to look forward to if we are doing well

[VivDeering]

Do you have the qualifications and legal protection to give such medical advice?

[Lilasimpson]

I have enquired and would need some training prior to getting a certificate. It will not take too long. However I am myself a health professional with very good knowledge on medication, inhalers, conditions etc

[PurpleDaisies]

What sort of healthcare professional are you? There's no scientific evidence that this does anything other than provide a nice place to sit.

www.m.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/salt-therapy-salt-caves-halotherapy

[Lilasimpson]

I am a pharmacist. I would never say that patients should stop their medication. I know what I am talking about... I feel that their symptoms can be alleviated with halotherapy rather than adding more and more inhalers/increasing the dose due to non compliance, poor technique or else... I do not believe that halotherapy will cure it all.

[CoteDAzur]

" ISalt is itself and antibacteriol and does not carry the germs. "

Of course salt doesn't get infected

What I'm talking about is frequenting a place that will have loads of sick people coming and going, leaving their germs wherever they touch. You will get sick all the time, too (which probably won't help promote the business) especially if you are not a fan of real medicine.

What do you mean by "I'm a healthcare professional", by the way?

[PurpleDaisies]

If you're a pharmacist you must appreciate the importance of evidence based practice.

Can you link to any reputable studies that shows halotherapy has any place in the treatment of respiratory disease?

[BertrandRussell]

You're a pharmacist and you believe in halotherapy? Blimey.

[Lilasimpson]

I have done some research and although not regarded as sole treatment it has helped a lot if people I know, including dd. Everything does not have to be scientifically proven even if I am a pharmacist. Stress if a factor of bad health and halitherapy could help to reduce stress. As some have stated, it depends how I would like to market the business. I do not state that it would be a miracle, just that it would help a lot of symptoms.

[Lilasimpson]

Bertrand, Everything is not black or white in this world and my experience has shown that science is not an answer for everything

[BertrandRussell]

Oh well, there's one born every minute, I suppose.

[PurpleDaisies]

You might want to carefully consider your wording. There's no evidence this works. The Irish advertising agency ordered an advert with very similar to your claims here to be removed.

www.asai.ie/complaint/health-and-beauty-4/

[Lilasimpson]

Thank you very much purple daisies. Very helpful

[FlyWaxSleepRepeat]

Here's my thoughts...

Planning permission.
Insurance.
Will your mortgage company allow you to run a business from your property?
Enough parking?
Will it piss your neighbours off?
'Spa' implies luxury and peace and quiet - not kids with coughs and colds snorting all over the place.

[Itmustbemyage]

A properly trained friend of mine set up a home business doing relaxation massages and a few other treatments.
She has a lovely home, had a dedicated room all kitted out but people seemed to be reluctant to visit a therapist in their home, rather than in a salon or spa. she did have a few dubious calls asking for details of the massages
She gave up in the end.
I would definitely check out how much demand there would be before spending any money on this idea. There are also regulations and planning permission to consider. Just bunging a few bits and pieces into a garage, however nice it is, is not going to be enough.

[Lilasimpson]

Thank you for your thoughts. Very helpful. I am thinking of that: planning permission should be granted as building totally separate from my house and a couple of businesses on the street. Mortgage paid off, not an issue. No car park though but hoping to attract locals ortube 3 mins away.
Neighbours might be pissed off indeed but should be quiet and peaceful compared to a noisy garage next door. There should be 2 rooms, one fir adults and one for kids

[littledinaco]

This is something I would definitely be interested in taking my children to. I think you have to either market it for health benefits (helping asthma etc) OR as a luxury spa treatment.
A lot of business fail due to trying to market in too many fields.
Given the location and your background, I would go down the health route, rather than the spa route.

The location wouldn't bother me if it was somewhere I was taking my children to help with asthma. If I was going somewhere for a 'spa' I would rather go to a spa type location where I could get beauty treatments too, possibly have lunch.

You need to work out the full setting up and running costs (maintenance, insurance, marketing, etc) and then work out how many treatments you would have to offer a week to make it profitable.

What are the procedures for you giving advice as a pharmacist from your home? Would people pay for this separately; as in a consultation of what medications they are on, issues they are having, etc? What records would you keep? Would these be shared with people's GP?

When you say no parking - is there somewhere to park-just not a car park or no parking at all (residents permit holders of similar)? This would probably be a big factor to me if taking children (especially potentially sick children). I would want to be guaranteed to park near and get children into the salt spa without too much hassle, I wouldn't want to be driving round looking for a parking space - having to get pram, etc out as I couldn't park near enough.

[GeorgeTheHamster]

I think the separate building would get round the feeling of visiting someone in their home.

[BertrandRussell]

You can't market it for the health benefits. There aren't any.

[VivDeering]

You don't believe in the scientific method?