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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My theory is density. I used Epsom salts for a rather embarassing hemorrhoid. I think the increase density of the water creates a gentle upward force (Archimedes principle) which would be greater than in fresh water. This stimulates blood circulation and relaxes things.
Of course, this is just posturing. As others have said the real science behind has not been able to show, with a study, the exact mechanism.
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