HEALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY
Sore Muscles? Try Epsom Salt By Dylan Roche
After an intense workout on a chilly day, it’s totally normal to feel all achy and sore. You might even come home from a run or a bike ride with muscle cramps that just won’t stop.
it, based on the fact that it’s easy, inexpensive, and minimally invasive. In other words, there aren’t any negative side effects, so if it makes you feel better—why not?
These are the situations that call for a warm soak in an Epsom salt bath. This home remedy is encouraged for relieving muscle cramps and reducing swelling based on the idea that the magnesium in the Epsom salt can enter through your skin while you’re soaking in it. Magnesium is important for regulating muscle and nerve function, and it will also help flush out lactic acid that has accumulated in your muscles during exercise or training. Because you lose magnesium through your sweat, an intense workout can deplete your body of magnesium.
This might be why Olympic athletes and fitness specialists swear by the effectiveness of an Epsom salt bath for recovery. So, if the idea of an Epsom salt bath intrigues you, here’s what you should do:
While little evidence has been found in clinical trials to support an Epsom salt bath as a treatment method, the Cleveland Clinic points out that doctors encourage
Seek out a product that is 100 percent magnesium sulfate— some retailers will offer a great price but won’t be able to guarantee the quality and purity of their product. Visit
FIRST, SELECT THE RIGHT KIND OF EPSOM SALT. Epsom salt is not the same thing as table salt. Epsom salt is a mineral compound consisting of magnesium sulfate and gets its name because the original mineral salts were derived from boiling down water sourced out of saline springs in Epsom, England.
a health food store or alternative medicine shop where you can read the label instead of shopping online. DRAW A WARM BATH. The Epsom Salt Council recommends adding 2 cups of Epsom salt to a standard-sized bathtub while the water is running so it dissolves well. Climb in and allow yourself to soak for a minimum of 20 minutes. Be careful of any open wounds or severe burns on your skin, which could have a negative reaction to the salt. TRY A WARM COMPRESS OR A FOOT BATH INSTEAD OF A FULL SOAK. If you’re not able to soak your whole body in an Epsom salt bath, you can always create a compress instead. The Epsom Salt Council recommends mixing 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt per cup of water. Soak a cotton washcloth in the salt water, and then apply it to your skin where the muscles are sore (such as your shoulders or upper back).
If you want to soak just your feet, you can add 1 cup of Epsom salt to a bucket of warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes. In addition to relieving sore muscles in your feet, this soak makes a great start to an at-home pedicure by softening your skin and drying out bacteria in any blisters or cuts you have. RINSE OFF WELL AFTERWARD. When you’re done, take special care in rinsing any saltwater off your skin. Remaining Epsom salt could dry your skin out. Apply a generous amount of lotion, and then bundle up in warm clothes, which will not only protect you from dry air but will also help you hold in heat and extend the reliving effects of the bath. REMEMBER, AN EPSOM SALT BATH IS NOT A CURE-ALL. An Epsom salt bath will likely feel good, but don’t forget that this could very well all be a placebo effect. Don’t depend on it to solve serious muscle injuries. If you have anything beyond regular soreness, seek your doctor’s advice.
whatsupmag.com | October 2020 | What’s Up? West County
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