Epsom Salt Bath: How To Take One And What It Does
Now that we have considered the symptoms, as well as the different treatment options that are available, we would like to introduce it or rather tell you about an age-old remedy that has worked for millions of people.
Arthritis knee pain relief with Epsom salt baths is a popular topic that is often brought up amongst people with pain in their knees. This remedy originated from England and it is quite an old remedy, but people are still using it today as it is truly effective and probably the most affordable method for treating the pain, inflammation, and discomfort that comes with arthritis in the knee.
Natural Arthritis Treatments explain that Epsom salts contain a high level of sulfate and magnesium, and these two ingredients work together to help individuals with arthritis.
Magnesium is an essential mineral in the body and also possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties . Combining this with the circulation-boosting effects of warm water creates a powerful system for naturally relieving pain and inflammation associated with knee arthritis.
To experience arthritis knee pain relief with Epsom salt baths, the following three steps should be done properly:
- Step 1: Simply mix some Epsom salt into a warm bath.
- Step 2: Two cups are usually enough, but if the pain is more serious, then you can use three cups instead.
- Step 3: Relax in the warm water for approximately half an hour before you get out.
How To Choose The Best Epsom Bath Salts
Check the label: To reap the muscle-calming benefits of the salt, its important that the bath time accessory comes from a reputable source and lists magnesium as the first ingredient, explains Dr. Laureano. There are many different types of magnesium, but two of the most common are magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride. Magnesium chloride is another type of salt that is similar to the mineral compound found in seawater, which is also known to have healing properties.
Its also important to beware of online retailers who may offer great deals but cannot guarantee the quality or purity of magnesium. We recommend purchasing bath salts from trusted places like supermarkets and certified online retailers. You can also check the ingredients label and look for the type of magnesium listed.
Give it time: Itll take about 15 minutes of soaking and about 300 grams of salt for you to feel the mental and physical benefits of Epsom salts, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Dont overdo it: While Epsom salts are totally safe for sensitive skin, theres no need to soak in them daily. If youre just doing regular exercise, stick to doing salt baths about three times a week, says Ladis. If youre active on a professional level, I recommend doing warm Epsom salt baths or foot baths daily followed by an ice bath, which will help ease pain and inflammation, she says.
Ready to add some to your bath routine? Here are the best Epsom salts to elevate your me-time.
Epsom Salt Bath Side Effects
When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe.
If youve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first.
Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath.
Stop use if you experience:
- treat muscle spasms and seizures caused by magnesium deficiency
Its used orally to treat:
- low magnesium levels in blood
Theres that magnesium taken orally has a positive effect for several conditions, including:
It is, however, also possible to take too much magnesium by mouth.
Always check with your doctor before using Epsom salt by mouth. Follow the package instructions exactly. Too much magnesium can cause an irregular heartbeat and low blood pressure.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
According to the Arthritis Foundation, each pound of body weight puts the equivalent of three to six pounds on joints. Weight loss can go a long way in alleviating joint pain and OA prevention. This may also be helpful for people with OA in their knees and hips, as these joints bear a lot of weight.
What Is Rheumatoid Factor
The immune system is an organized method through which the body fights off infections caused by bacteria, viruses and other organisms. A normal immune response to infection often involves the production of proteins such as antibodies to kill these invading organisms.
Sometimes, however, certain antibodies produced by the immune system may attack healthy proteins. In other words, the antibodies turn against the persons body damaging their health in the process.
When this occurs, the immune response that is triggered may result in what we now know as an autoimmune disorder. A variety of conditions have been shown to occur from these autoimmune responses.
Rheumatoid factor is one of many antibodies that are known to attack healthy tissue through an autoimmune process. Whentriggered, rheumatoid factor antibodies attack the healthy tissue resulting in a variety of symptoms.
Typically, these symptoms cause inflammation in the synovium a layer of soft tissue on the inner surface of joints, eventually leading to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor can also cause other symptoms seen in autoimmune disorders like Sjogrens Syndrome.
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Effective Epsom Salts As An Arthritis Cure
According to the logic of ancient medical sciences, arthritis, a wide-spread chronic disease all over the globe, is caused due to the excretion of toxins in joints of body. This is caused by destabilized colon and weak digestion system, leading to the accrual of undigested food and building up of waster materials.
Poor digestive system allows the toxins to stock up in the body and trouble with colon allows toxins in reaching to the joints. The main symptoms of arthritis include stress, fever, rigidity and pain in the affected muscles, tenderness and pain in the joints that are provoked by any activity or movement like typing, writing or turning a key, stiffness and unbearable pain in joints.
In addition to exercise, diet and other treatment therapies, one can also use Epsom salts as an arthritis cure to help the body in clearing toxins, relieving pain and restoring mobility. Magnesium is one of the most important necessary minerals required by the body, as it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis actions and may be immersed in the skin.
An arthritis remedy suggested by New England is to take a hot bath with Epsom salts , which is very effective in boosting blood circulation and reducing the swelling caused by arthritis. For this bath, the patients should fill up the bath tub with hot water as they can bear. After adding 2 cups full of Epsom salts into it, they should take a bath every day of approximate 30 minutes.
How Epsom Salt Can Help In Arthritis
Arthritis has been one of the most common medical conditions in the elderly people.
However, this disease is not specifically related to age as there have been reports of young people suffering from this condition.
Arthritis occurs when the joints between the bones become inflamed due to some medical conditions.
There are many types of arthritis based on the causes the condition like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
The treatment offered usually includes drugs which reduce the inflammation and relieve the patient from the pain and stiffness.
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Reduced Pain And Swelling
Another common claim is that Epsom salt helps reduce pain and swelling.
Many people report that taking Epsom salt baths improves symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Again, the magnesium is deemed responsible for these effects, since many people with fibromyalgia and arthritis are deficient in this mineral.
One study in 15 women with fibromyalgia concluded that applying magnesium chloride to the skin may be beneficial for reducing symptoms .
However, this study was based on questionnaires and lacked a control group. Its results should be taken with a grain of salt.
Summary
Most of the purported benefits of Epsom bath salts are anecdotal. On the other hand, oral magnesium supplements may benefit sleep, stress, digestion, exercise, and pain in people who are deficient.
Benefits Of Epsom Salt Foot Soaks
The skin is the largest organ of the body. Our feet need to be pampered just like our face our feet work hard all day and foot care is necessary as well as relaxing. Epsom salt is a popular remedy for muscle aches and stress. People use Epsom salt foot soaks for a range of foot related complaints.
Epsom salt is a natural compound that contains magnesium sulfate and has a crystallized structure. People have used Epsom salt for hundreds of years to treat a variety of ailments, including pain. However, there is limited research supporting many of the medicinal claims.
Benefits of Epsom Foot Soaks
Foot soaks may help ease muscle soreness. Typically, people add Epsom salt to a bath or use an Epsom salt foot soak to ease muscle soreness.
A few small studies suggest soaking in an Epsom salt bath may allow magnesium to penetrate the skin. One study found that magnesium penetrates the outer layer of the skin depending on the concentration of the salt and how long a person soaks in it.
Some people believe soaking the feet can rid the body of toxins and heavy metals, though the evidence is mixed. Read more about foot detoxes.
Absorbing magnesium through the skin from an Epsom salt foot soak may provide the following benefits:
According to the Epsom Salt Council, Epsom salt does not kill the fungus that causes athletes foot. However, it may help draw the moisture out, which makes the environment less inviting for fungus.
Easing Inflammation
Exfoliating the kin
Reducing Odor
Vinegar
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Supercharge Your Epsom Salt Bath With These Oils
If you want to supercharge your Epsom salt bath to make it even more effective at reducing painful muscles and joints, you can try making a homemade blend of pain-reducing essential oils. Make a sore muscle and joint pain blend by mixing the following ingredients together and using one cup of the mixture per bath.
- 2 cups of Epsom salt
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 8 drops of pure grade peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of pure-grade lavender essential oil
- 3 drops of pure-grade cinnamon essential oil
- 3 drops of pure-grade rosemary essential oil
Ways To Use Epsom Salt For Knee Pain
Epsom salt is a popular home remedy for many ailments, including knee pain. It is inexpensive and easy to find, and many people find it to be a effective treatment for their pain. There are a few different ways to use Epsom salt for knee pain, and the best method may vary depending on the individual. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. Soak in an Epsom salt bath. This is one of the most popular ways to use Epsom salt for knee pain. Simply add two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. 2. Make a compress. Another easy way to use Epsom salt for knee pain is to make a compress. Simply wet a cloth with warm water and add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt. Apply the compress to the affected area for 20 minutes. 3. Drink a glass of Epsom salt water. Another popular home remedy is to drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of Epsom salt dissolved in it. This can be done once or twice a day, and many people find it to be a effective way to reduce pain and inflammation. There are many other ways to use Epsom salt for knee pain, and the best method may vary depending on the individual. If you are unsure about which method to use, speak to your doctor or a physical therapist.
Stress Relief and Pain Epsom salt contains magnesium and may assist the body in getting rid of toxins that exacerbate inflammation while also reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.
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Still Need Help With Myofascial Pain Now That You Probably Wont Be Counting On Epsom Salts
If you think this article is detailed, you should see my tutorial about muscle pain and myofascial pain syndrome! This kind of exhaustively researched writing about Epsom salts is only possible because I sell some of the other articles on this website. No writer can afford to create truly good, detailed content and then just give it all away: we have to make a living somehow. Please reward my efforts by taking a look at my tutorials. Although Epsom salts seem unlikely to be a significant source of relief, there are plenty of other options for self-treatment of muscle pain. PainScience.com publishes an extremely thorough tutorial about myofascial trigger points :
- Muscle relaxants This topic is covered in several of my books in detail low back pain, neck pain, trigger points, frozen shoulder, headaches. There is also condensed information about them in Cramps, Spasms, Tremors & Twitches.
Other interesting reading:
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How To Take An Epsom Salts Bath
The water should be very warm — not hot, but comfortable to the touch. Add the Epsom salts while the water is running to help them dissolve.
For a standard-sized tub, use the amount suggested on the package, usually 1 to 2 cups, or the amount recommended by your doctor. Don’t use Epsom salts in a hot tub, whirlpool, or other tub with jets unless the manufacturer says it’s OK.
Keep the part of your body that hurts in the water for at least 12 minutes. Just relax.
Check with your doctor about how long and how often you should soak. You may need to do it just once for an ingrown toenail, or every day if you have arthritis pain.
Show Sources
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Avoid Working Through The Pain
The most important thing to remember is to avoid working through the pain. Pain is a sign that you need to stop what you are doing, take a break from the task, and modify the task so you can perform it in a pain-free manner.
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
Q What Causes Pain In The Finger Joints
A. Imagine your fingers aching every time you use them. That could be awful. You cannot push a key on your laptop, complete a message on your Android phone, hit those guitar chords, thoroughly and thoroughly clean your body or the plate you used last night..
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Almost No Epsom Salt Science
A search for scientific evidence concerning Epsom salt baths is disappointing. There are basically no studies of their effect on body pain. There werent when I first tackled this topic in the early 2000s, and there still arent any as of 2020. There may never be.
Folk remedies are often neglected by researchers, but not usually so completely. There are usually at least a few experiments testing popular remedies kicking around. Why wouldnt the use of Epsom salts for muscle soreness be similarly blessed?
A crystal of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate Epsom salt.
There is plenty of research relevant to other medical uses of Epsom salts.6For instance, on my package of Epsom salts, instructions are also given for internal usage as a laxative which does work78 and is actually FDA approved9 and probably the most common and generally known medical usage. Other uses of magnesium sulfate include the treatment of magnesium deficiency,10 which causes irregular heart rhythm and cramps. A couple conditions that cause severe cramping or seizures, like eclampsia11 and tetanus,12 can be partially treated with magnesium. There will be more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of magnesium deficiency below.
There are also some incredibly bogus and crazy uses of Epsom salts. For instance, naturopaths may use it to try to dissolve gallstones which doesnt work, and can cause serious poisoning.
This is just one of many reasons to add this salt to your routine.
What Does Soaking An Injury In Epsom Salt Do
It has been used to treat wounds and infections, but do not use Epsom salt if you are allergic to it. Despite the fact that Epsom salt does not cure the infection, it can aid in the treatment of the infection by drawing it out and soften the skin.
Epsom Salts: A Possible Treatment For Torn Muscles
The use of Epsom salts may speed up healing time for minor injuries2, according to some studies. Muscle pain, inflammation, and stiffness can be reduced by taking Epsom salts baths. Epsom salts, in addition to magnesium, potassium, and sulfates, are made up of those elements. Magnesium and potassium, in addition to muscle relaxation, are thought to help with muscle spasms. Sulphates are added to Epsom salts, which are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. It has been suggested that the magnesium, potassium, and sulfates in Epsom salts may be useful for muscle relaxation and inflammation reduction. Although there is little research on the use of Epsom salts for treating torn muscles, these compounds may be beneficial for muscle relaxation. Furthermore, sulfates may help to reduce inflammation. If youâre experiencing muscle pain and inflammation from a torn muscle, you might want to try Epsom salts.
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Relief From Osteoarthritis Pain
Joint problems become common with ageing affecting millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in which the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein make of cartilage degenerates. Over the years, repetitive use of joints can damage any joint, osteoarthritis most commonly affects in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
The treatment of osteoarthritis can be done with anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers. However, some medications cause side effects, and a natural approach to pain relief is becoming more popular. Lets look for natural ways to get relief from this disorder:
Loose Extra Body weight to stay active
It becomes difficult to brisk walking, exercise or any other heavy physical activity with the painful joints. But if you take little steps to stay active, it can help you with pain in the long run. It will even strengthen muscles to prevent further joint damage. The arthritis foundation says, In osteoarthritis, the most effective nondrug treatment for reducing pain and improving movement is staying active by doing suitable exercises. You can go for Options like: bike riding, swimming, tai chi, walking, yoga etc.
If you havent been active before, talk to your doctor before starting any particular exercises.
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