One thing I love about the Autumn transition is the return of the hot bath! With the colder nights and back-to-work/school stress, a full body heat treatment can be a great way to give yourself some overdue TLC. As an RMT I often recommend Epsom salt baths to my clients post-treatment to help extend the benefits of the massage.
Epsom salts are made from Magnesium Sulfate, and can help boost the body’s magnesium concentration. (They are named after Epsom, the region in England where they were first discovered!) Today, people often have deficiencies in magnesium because modern farming practices have led to decreased nutrients in soil.
A hot bath on its own can be a great tool for detoxifying, relaxing, promoting sleep, and clearing circulatory congestion. Adding Epsom salts can add to the benefits of a normal bath. Magnesium can be helpful for:
- regulating electrolyte levels in the blood
- easing stress (aids in serotonin regulation)
- helping you sleep (essential for melatonin uptake in the body)
- reducing headaches and muscle aches (without magnesium, muscles can’t relax. It is also helpful in preventing lactic acid buildup)
- bone strength (helps the body utilize calcium to build bone)
- detoxifying by helping hydrate and alkalize the body
Some research has shown that diffusion through the skin can be even more effective than consumption through the digestive tract, as some foods can block magnesium absorption (Laurel Fowlie 2006).
To properly use Epsom salts in the bath, make sure the bathwater is hot (within your comfort level), and add 2 cups of salts to a full bath. You can adapt this for a footbath as well, by using the same concentration in smaller volume. Soak your full body for 15-20 minutes – no longer, as you don’t want to overtax your cardiovascular system. Epsom salt baths need to be hot, so they are more intense than a regular bath – make sure you listen to your body. You can also use an Epsom salt solution to soak a towel to use as a compress for local body aches – apply the compress for 10 minutes or until it cools down, reheat and repeat. Make sure you rinse off thoroughly afterwards. Try an Epsom salt bath after a workout, a stressful day, or a massage!
Caution: this may not be suitable for you if you are pregnant or have abnormal blood pressure, or any other cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, or systemic health concerns. If you have any health issues you should always talk to your health care practitioner before using full-body heat treatments.
– Sarah Crocker, Register Massage Therapist