'Long Island Medium' Visits Montauk Salt Cave

MONTAUK, NY — East End fans of the "Long Island Medium" Theresa Caputo got a surprise Sunday night when, during a new episode on TLC, Caputo paid a visit to the Montauk Salt Cave.

Caputo visited the Montauk Salt Cave West location, sited at 169 New York Avenue in Huntington; the business opened first in Montauk and then expanded to include the Huntington location and a space in New York City.

Shannon Coppola, who owns the businesses, said she was thrilled to welcome Caputo to her salt cave — she even appeared herself in the episode.

Reflecting on the experience, Coppola said, "It was truly amazing. She is such a beautiful human being."

During the episode, Caputo discussed her marital concerns with a friend; she was thrilled to hear that a session in the salt cave has the restorative effects of five days spent on a beach.

After the show aired, Coppola said, of Caputo's visit: "I had no idea that she was going through a difficult time personally so I was more than happy to assist her with some peace and quiet — even if it was for only 45 minutes. Sometimes that makes a world of difference. She left feeling relaxed and able to breathe more freely. We feel very blessed that she chose our cave. It was an experience that I will remember forever."

The salt cave, Coppola said, offers myriad benefits. "First, it is called speleotherapy, as the Himalayan salt has 84 trace minerals. You are absorbing the minerals through your nasal passageway while you’re in the cave," she said.

Second, Coppola said, the session is called halotherapy, where an individual inhales pharmaceutical grade salt, which is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.

"You leave a salt cave session feeling really relaxed, but also rejuvenated at the same time," Coppola said.

The benefits help to address all respiratory issues, including asthma, emphysema, cold, allergies, sinusitis, migraines, stress, anxiety, depression and skin disorders; the salt also helps with all autoimmune disorders ranging from Lyme disease to arthritis, Coppola said.

Some who experience the salt cave find themselves emotional, Coppola noted. "The salt elicits emotions because you are being forced to relax. It is a beautiful atmosphere that is dimly lit. The magnesium within the salt is an ultimate mood booster and helps to relieve stress and sadness."

After meeting with Caputo, Coppola said she feels "blessed to have been in her company and to have helped her. We have a super rewarding 'job' where we can help people in a daily basis."

Salt therapy, she added, is "phenomenal" but not many people are aware of the benefits.

Her own journey began when her son suffered from severe respiratory issues and allergy induced asthma.

"Salt therapy is the only thing that helps him," she said.

The road to a solution wasn't an easy one for Coppola and her husband Peter, who live in Montauk. They were at a loss when their son Oliver struggled to breathe.

Oliver, Shannon Coppola said, had breathing issues since birth. Although he was treated for asthma, allergies, and reflux, had his adenoid removed, and tried a number of medications, "nothing seemed to work."

Until they found what felt like a miracle.

"We took him to a salt room in Clifton, NJ and he slept through the night for the very first time at four-and-a-half years old. His cough disappeared. My husband and I decided to build one in Montauk, not a salt room but a cave to help not only our son, but everyone."

The couple's vision is pure and simple, Coppola said: "To help people."Treatments and courses offered at the salt cave locations include salt therapy/halotherapy, reiki, yoga, kundalini, crystal singing bowls, and massage.

Although the Montauk Salt Cave was the first in New York, the treatment is not new; medicinal benefits attributed to salt caves, from breathing ionized air, have been documented for centuries, according to honeycolony.com. According to HoneyColony, a popular cave was created 150 years ago, "by a Polish physician who noted that salt miners didn't suffer from lung diseases. . . This mine is still in use today, as is another salt mine in Bochnia, Poland, which has been active since 1248."

The caves help those with allergies, neurological and rheumatoid issues, and locomotor system dysfunctions, honeycolony.com states.

Aside from helping to alleviate medical concerns, the salt caves also help individuals to relax and soak in the ambiance.

Salt caves have been gaining popularity across the country and world, and now, the healing has begun on Long Island and in New York City.

Coppola credits Dr. Margaret Smiechowski who owns Salt Cave Builder, Inc. who "helped to create this dream."

Caputo's media representative did not respond to a request for comment.

Patch courtesy photo.