My muscles have been very achy lately and the internet tells me to do bath soaks with Epsom salts. I understand that warm water helps to relax muscles, but how does salt in the bath help? Do our bodies actually absorb Epsom salt through the skin to a degree that it actually makes a difference, or is it more a relaxing/scent/placebo? What mechanism is happening that the Epsom salts contribute to?
Similar vein: baking soda, magnesium, etc added to baths – do they actually help? What works best?
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Okay, well you have entered a realm of great contention. The scientific consensus is that either Epsom salts have no effect, or we have no idea how they have an effect. Anecdotally you can find many examples of people taking great comfort in Epsom salts baths, however, there is no known mechanism for how it might work. I for one am a believer, but only because of my personal experience. I also like magnesium chloride spray or “magnesium oil” (called that because it feels oily). Again, scientists claim the magnesium cannot pass the skin barrier, but I swear the stuff works.
Edit: I told you it was contentious. I don’t know why this topic is so polarizing (subtle ionic solution joke there), but I’m glad to be here for it.
Nothing super substantial to add here except epson also can bring on a bowl movement pretty quickly for me. So, it does something *gestures vaguely*
It’s mostly placebo. However, it’s cheap enough to use it if you just slightly believe in it.
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It does nothing more than keep the water a warmer for a little longer. Hot water is relaxing. That is all. Enjoy.
The idea is that the salts allow your body to float better which takes the pressure off your body and allows the normal healing process to go forward.
I would guess it increases the density of the water, making you more bouyant, so you feel more floaty.
It might also allow the water to stay hotter longer, like when you add salt to your pasta water.
I’m just basing this on my experience of salty floaty chill time.
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For me, it’s the aroma and hot water, the salt is just a messenger.
I believe that’s why it works as skin is impermeable to salt water.
i thought maybe the salt solution is hypertonic to your body so it pulls out a tiny bit of body water, as in reducing swelling
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