Epsom Salt Soak or Increase magnesium intake?
As a Myomassologist I see many patients with sore muscles, strains, sprains or are just overall feeling tight. One of the many things I suggest for patients is, for them to soak in an Epsom salt bath. But why do I suggest this? Let’s look a little into the science. Epsom salt is made up from the crystals of magnesium sulfate (a chemical compound of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen). Magnesium is needed for 325 chemical reactions in the body! It is also responsible for bone health, transporting calcium among other minerals throughout the body, with nerve impulse control, muscle control and normalizing heart rhythm. So, the lack of magnesium in the body can cause things like muscle cramping, this is the biggest reason I suggest Epsom salt soaking. Sulfur on the other hand, is responsible for the synthesis (breaking down) of ammino acids within the body. Oxygen is responsible for brain function, muscle repair, increased energy and much more. Soaking in a tub, or very large tote, of warm water and Epsom salt is a great way for the body to absorb the magnesium, sulfate, and oxygen. It’s also a great way to destress. If you are one of the many who don’t have access to a tub or a very large tote you can fit in another great way to get your Epsom salt soak on is by Float Therapy. Float Therapy is when you go to a facility that has these special tubs filled with 1,000 lbs. of Epsom salt. This makes you naturally buoyant, leaving you feeling like you are floating on air! Other ways you can get magnesium in our body is through our diet, which happens to be the best way to absorb magnesium. The top five foods that are high in magnesium are pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, almonds and spinach. Which way would you prefer to increase your magnesium intake? The choice is yours!
K. Brooks, October 27,2016 The History of Epsom Salt - Northwest Float Center
National Institutes of Health, March 29, 2021 Magnesium - Health Professional Fact Sheet (nih.gov)
sulfur | Definition, Element, Symbol, Uses, & Facts | Britannica
