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?
In: 276
There’s much controversy so I’ll tell you the things it does for sure.
1. Prevents pruning. An Epsom salt bath prunes the skin less, or not at all. So you can spend longer in it. Even if the only benefit is from warmth, extending that time is beneficial.
2.. increasing density. By making the water denser, you float more. This takes some weight off your joints while soakiing. Most bath tubs are a piss poor excuse and impossible to stretch out in, floating better helps.
Latest Answers