Epsom salt bath to alleviate soreness

Cherimoose

That folk remedy is mentioned any time someone asks about DOMS. I doubt enough magnesium can cross the almost-waterproof skin layer, and then migrate through the fat and fascia layers, to have an effect on muscles - assuming magnesium does in fact help DOMS, which is questionable. I suspect it's the warm water that helps soreness, not the epsom salt.
If anyone knows any solid studies on this, please post.

cwolfman13

I don't think epsom salt does anything.

I do take a magnesium supplement which has gone a long way towards alleviating many of the cramping issues I was having. I'm not sure about DOMs...but low magnesium can cause a buildup of lactic acid that causes pain and tightness n the muscles.

Gallowmere1984

I have done both regular soaks and epsom soaks, and have noticed a clear difference in efficacy. That said, I more use them as a mag supp before sleeping, because seriously, I take enough damned pills already. If you're already supplementing mag, or getting sufficient amounts through diet, you probably won't notice a difference.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I've tried it both ways and I can't tell the difference. But that's strictly anecdotal. I've never seen anyone post studies on the issue but if they have them I'd be interested. I'm not sure my personal experience means kitten, since I'm chronically ill and my illness often mimics DOMS.

zyxst

I use epsom salts when I soak my feet because I enjoy playing with the undissolved crystals with my toes. I don't think they have special properties for muscle relief.

aelunyu

Probably does nothing but could make you feel better after a really hard training session! Does anyone have studies on bubble baths vs cortisol levels?!!?! If so, I'm totally low stress.

lorrpb

Yes, it is effective per studies. I asked my hubby who is a nurse about this awhile back. He said magnesium is one of the few minerals that has been shown to be absorbed adequately through the skin.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf
http://www.livestrong.com/article/444622-can-you-absorb-magnesium-from-epsom-salt/

CooCooPuff

I started taking more baths and bought some to see how it felt. Didn't notice a thing other than the nice smell of lavendar.

My favorite additive has been steel cut oats. Tie 120 grams into a nylon sock, toss it in a tub, and squeeze every once and a while.

LenGray

CooCooPuff wrote: »

I started taking more baths and bought some to see how it felt. Didn't notice a thing other than the nice smell of lavendar.

My favorite additive has been steel cut oats. Tie 120 grams into a nylon sock, toss it in a tub, and squeeze every once and a while.

What does it do, if you don't mind me asking? I've heard about putting it on your face, but not having it in a bath.

comptonelizabeth

lorrpb wrote: »

Yes, it is effective per studies. I asked my hubby who is a nurse about this awhile back. He said magnesium is one of the few minerals that has been shown to be absorbed adequately through the skin.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf
http://www.livestrong.com/article/444622-can-you-absorb-magnesium-from-epsom-salt/

My brother suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (an autoimmune condition which affects the spine) Doctors told him to take Epsom Salt baths and he found them helpful - more so than just a plain bath

Edit:with regard to the links,I'm never quite sure about the Livestrong site

Cherimoose

lorrpb wrote: »

Yes, it is effective per studies. I asked my hubby who is a nurse about this awhile back. He said magnesium is one of the few minerals that has been shown to be absorbed adequately through the skin.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf
http://www.livestrong.com/article/444622-can-you-absorb-magnesium-from-epsom-salt/

That doesn't prove it reduces DOMS though.

By the way, that study.. presented by the Epsom Salt Council.. wasn't in a peer-reviewed journal.

Gallowmere1984

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

lorrpb wrote: »

Yes, it is effective per studies. I asked my hubby who is a nurse about this awhile back. He said magnesium is one of the few minerals that has been shown to be absorbed adequately through the skin.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf
http://www.livestrong.com/article/444622-can-you-absorb-magnesium-from-epsom-salt/

My brother suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (an autoimmune condition which affects the spine) Doctors told him to take Epsom Salt baths and he found them helpful - more so than just a plain bath

Edit:with regard to the links,I'm never quite sure about the Livestrong site

Livestrong is reeeaally hit and miss. One good thing: I learned a lot on baking plain meats there, which has made for some incredibly juicy chicken breasts, salmon and tilapia filets.

On the other hand, their supplement and macro articles can be...goofy at times.

lorrpb

Cherimoose wrote: »

lorrpb wrote: »

Yes, it is effective per studies. I asked my hubby who is a nurse about this awhile back. He said magnesium is one of the few minerals that has been shown to be absorbed adequately through the skin.
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf
http://www.livestrong.com/article/444622-can-you-absorb-magnesium-from-epsom-salt/

That doesn't prove it reduces DOMS though.

By the way, that study.. presented by the Epsom Salt Council.. wasn't in a peer-reviewed journal.

So sorry to not meet your academic standards. I never said it proveD anything about DOMS. I just did a quick Internet search to find something beyond my husbands info.