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Footand Ankle Pain

EPSOM SALT BATH

Why Use Epsom Salt?

 

Using Epsom salt via taking a bath is a great way to improve your recovery from hard bouts of physical activity as well as long hours of sitting in chairs.  

 

We’ve all heard of having a “Life-Work” balance, but what we don’t hear much is that you also need to have a “Work out-Recovery” balance.  What’s that?  Well, work outs or any hard physical activity takes a toll on our body.  

 

We need to balance out how much demand that we place on our body with an optimal amount of recovering from the demand.  Epsom salt baths are a great addition to a recovery program that might also include, Rest, Stretching, Massage, Chiropractic and seeking out tissue-mobility experts such as New Found Strength’s PNF Stretching sessions.

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Frequency and water temperature

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Start taking warm-to-hot Epsom salt baths each week for 30+ mins.  Do this for 3-4 weeks and then 1-3 times per month.  Use the hottest water temperature that you can safely stand.   The average adult should use ~2+cups; refer to the dosing chart at the bottom of this article.  Those attempting to use extremely hot water for long periods of time must exercise caution.   

 

For safety sake, keep 1-2 glasses of ice water within arms reach and one glass of juice (OJ or pineapple or apple juice) for when you are done.  Drink as needed.

Benefits of Epsom Salt

Benefits of Epsom Salt

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Research (as found on www.care2.com and o the website of the Epsom Salt Industry Council) suggests the following health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, which can be enhanced through Epsom Salt Baths:

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  • Improved heart and circulatory health, including reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.

 

  • Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

 

  • Flushing of toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

 

  • Improved nerve function achieved by better electrolyte regulation.  This is  because magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood, and since calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, increased magnesium levels are a necessary ingredient to improved nerve function.

 

  • Stress relief.  Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body.  Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well-being and relaxation.  

 

  • Reduced inflammation therefore relieving pain and muscle cramps.

 

  • Improved oxygen use.

 

  • Improved absorption of nutrients.

 

  • Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.

 

  • Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

 

If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, please check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

How It Works

How An Epsom Salt Bath Works

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Magnesium and sulfate are both readily absorbed through the skin and into the body's blood stream.  The skin is a highly porous membrane that both takes in minerals and eliminates toxins every day.  

Using a powerful mineral base such as Epsom salts in a bathwater medium creates a process called reverse osmosis.  This process pulls salt and harmful toxins out of the body and allows the magnesium and sulfates to enter into the body.

Magnesium plays a critical role in over 325 enzymes, helps to improve muscle and nerve function, reduces inflammation and improves blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body.  Sulfates are necessary building blocks for healthy joints, skin and nervous tissue.

Epsom salts replenish the body's magnesium levels and sulfates. This combination helps to flush toxins from the body and helps build key protein molecules in the brain tissue and joints.

 

The use of regular Epsom salt baths has been shown to improve the symptoms of many health conditions including athlete's foot, gout, toenail fungus, sprains, bruises and muscle soreness.

 

It is also good for anyone dealing with chronic disease or chronic pain to do regular Epsom baths to help detoxify and de-inflame while improving mineral and sulfur balance in the body.

Contraindications to Epsom baths (do not take Epsom salt baths) would be if you are pregnant, dehydrated or have open wounds or burns on your skin.  Individuals who are suffering with cardiovascular disease should always consult with a natural health physician who is familiar with the health benefits of Epsom salt baths before starting.

 

The above information is taken from www.naturalnews.com

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How To Take An Epsom Salt Bath

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The first step is to schedule at least 40 minutes, as you need about 20 minutes to remove the toxins, and for the second 20 minutes, the body absorbs the minerals in the bath water.

 

Fill up your bathtub with warm water.  Be sure to have a water filtration system in your house, as you don't want to bathe in tap water that has toxic chlorine, fluoride, dioxins and heavy metals.  Add in the Epsom salts in the following amounts:

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Dosing Chart

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Children under 60 lbs:           Add 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bathtub
Individuals between 60-100 lbs:      Add 1 cup of salts to a standard size bathtub

Individuals between 100-150 lbs:    Add 1 1/2 cup of salts to a standard size bathtub
Individuals between 150-200 lbs:    Add 2 cups of salts to a standard size bathtub
For every 50lbs larger:                 Add in an additional 1/2 cup of salts.
 

In conclusion, a regular Epsom salt bath can be a great relaxing and healthy additional step in your recovery process as you stay active to stay healthy.

 

Tags: epsom salt, fitness recovery, exercise recovery, magnesium benefits, sulfate benefits, joint pain relief, stress relief, health benefits, life work balance

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