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.
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