The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salts bath, these get into your body through your skin. That hasn't been proven, but just soaking in warm water can help relax muscles and loosen stiff joints. People use Epsom salts baths as a home treatment for: Arthritis pain and swelling.
You want to be warm and comfortable but people with decreased sensation e.g., those with nerve damage, should be particularly careful not to let the water get too hot. Add the Epsom salts. Be generous with the salts, adding around 1-2 cups under the running tap to allow it to dissolve. Soak for around 20-30 minutes.
Treat yourself to some bath salts. Bathing in magnesium sulfate crystals (Epsom salts) may boost your magnesium levels – a mineral that is important for bone and heart health.
“Some studies show mineral baths can have an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with arthritis by increasing certain cells that mediate inflammation and by enhancing circulation and breathing.”
Soaking in warm water, with or without minerals, is one of the oldest forms of medicine. And there's good reason why this practice has stood the test of time. Research has shown it works wonders for all kinds of musculoskeletal complaints, including fibromyalgia, arthritis and low back pain.
Alternating between hot and cold therapies can help soothe pain and control inflammation. Cold therapy reduces inflammation, while hot therapy stimulates blood flow and relaxes your muscles.
Heat can relax muscles and help lubricate joints. Heat therapy may be used to relieve muscle and joint stiffness, help warm up joints before activity, or ease a muscle spasm. Cold can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain related to arthritis and activity. (It is also recommended to treat many acute injuries.)
In conclusion, an increased magnesium dietary intake is associated with a better knee cartilage architecture, also when adjusting for potential confounders, suggesting a potential role of magnesium in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
There's no right or wrong when it comes to the question of showering after an Epsom salt bath – it's merely personal preference. If you decide not to rinse off afterwards, your body may benefit for longer from the purported healing properties of the salt.
Staying hydrated is vital when you live with arthritis. Hydration is key for flushing toxins out of your body, which can help fight inflammation, and well-hydrated cartilage reduces the rate of friction between bones, meaning you can move more easily.
When placed in water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate. The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath, these minerals get absorbed into your body through the skin. This may help relax muscles, reduce swelling and pain from arthritis, and relieve pain from fibromyalgia and various causes.
How often can you take Epsom salt baths? You can take an Epsom salt bath once a week or every 2 to 3 days. Since there's no proven medical benefit from it, there are no strict guidelines either — so, follow the instructions on the packaging as best you can.
Side effects of an Epsom salt bath
Epsom salt baths aren't recommended for people with: Severe skin inflammation. Skin infections. Open wounds.
Never use a higher dose of magnesium sulfate than recommended on the package label, or as your doctor has directed. Using too much magnesium sulfate can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. Magnesium sulfate may be used orally (by mouth) or as a soak.
Vitamins D and K are both important for bone strength, and vitamin K is involved in cartilage structure. Supplementing these two nutrients may be helpful if you're deficient in them. When you take supplements as directed and under your doctor's supervision, they're generally safe.
Vitamin D is believed to have an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory action, and its deficiency has been linked with several autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Research note: Preliminary studies suggest a type of vitamin B3 called niacinamide may improve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and reduce the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by suppressing inflammation.
Voltaren helps alleviate joint pain due to arthritis in the hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, and knees. Apply Voltaren gel to the skin over the affected part of the body. Do not use on more than two body areas at the same time.
Gout is an extremely painful type of arthritis caused by a buildup, overflow and/or inability to process uric acid. Symptoms come on quickly and acutely, usually starting on your big toe. These “attacks'' can last from 3 - 10 days but can occur months or even years apart.
Massage can help different forms of arthritis in specific ways. For example, if you are living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), massage can improve healthy circulation throughout the arthritic joints, reducing swelling and improving quality of life. Avoid massages on affected joints during an RA flare up, however.