I just had a massage for some cramped back muscles, and the therapist advised me to take a hot bath with epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) to “draw out the toxins.” I tried it. Too soon to tell if it did any good. But, in general, does this treatment really work? If so, how? The Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epsom_salts – says, “Traditionally, [epsom salt] is also used to prepare foot baths, intended to soothe sore feet.” But it doesn’t say if it actually works, or, if so, how.
Nobody knows?
I prescribe soaks with epsom salts for infected toes with open wounds. The salts help set up an ionic gradient that helps draw pus out of the wound and into the soak fluid.
I don’t prescribe it for sore muscles.
A few years ago I did some digging for a mechanism behind the effect of epsom salt baths on sore muscles, and came up empty. There’s lots of material on how Mg ions can act as an analgesic internally, but as far as how they can get from a tub, through the skin and to where they can do some good, de nada.
The lack of positive evidence for an effect doesn’t convince me that there is none however, especially when I think about what an ugly and unrewarding research project looking for an effect would be.
I use epsom salts in tubs. It seems to help sore muscles better than a tub alone. If it’s a placebo effect, so be it. The stuff’s not all that expensive.
My wife claims that soaking in a hot epson salt bath does wonders for sore muscles and overall pain.
This is, of course, purely anecdotal evidence, and gives no help whatsoever as to the mechanism, if any.
If the salt bath merely feels more relaxing because of the salts, then it indeed can help with muscle spasms, because tension and stress - role players in muscle spasm - are relieved.
A good ol’ soak is good for the soul, which is good for the body. Stress relievers can help one heal faster. Stress management plays a critical role in recovery and prevention.
Bathing in a hot bath definitely relaxes tense muscles. Lie on your back for torso aches and pains, and generally I find that the hotter the water, the more pronounced the relaxing effect.
A nurse did tell me recently that excessively hot baths can be bad for the heart, so maybe there’s a tradeoff to be had between aches and longevity.
I have a novel theory that might be worth a test.
Perhaps the ES fumes, when inhaled in the tub, act to relieve sore muscles. Anyone consider that? If not, it would make a nifty science fair project, IMO.
This may, uh, not be applicable. But kinda. If squeamish, read no further.
While in the Army, we would go on “field problems” - and eat field rations, which were designed to be consumed along with 1 quart of water. Still, after 30 days of these concentrated foods, some had problems. With elimination. Thankfully, our indispensable maintenance test pilot mentioned that after return from the field, he would perform what he called “The Epsom Salt Purge”, which I can assure you, works. Just a tablespoon or two mixed in a glass of water - and “don’t plan on being anywhere for a while…”