If you have ever had a massage, your therapist often recommends for you to take an Epsom salt bath when you get home. Many people don’t know why it is recommended, or what the benefits are. Here is some information on Epsom salt for baths:
Epsom Salt
The compound magnesium sulfate makes up Epsom salt. Magnesium and sulfate each have essential roles in the way the body functions. Magnesium keeps the enzyme activity regular in the body and helps keep bodily functions running smoothly, including the pathway that leads toxins out of the body. Sulfate assists the body in the formation of brain tissue and joint proteins. Sulfate strengthens the walls of the digestive tract so that it better releases toxins.
Magnesium sulfate helps in purifying and detoxifying the body of heavy metals. An Epsom salt bath is absorbed through the skin and can restore levels of magnesium and sulfate in the system. Toxins may be released from the specific muscles being worked on during a deep tissue massage.
Benefits
For hundreds of years, the benefits of Epsom salt have been well known. Soaking in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salt is one of the simplest ways to ease stress and stress-related problems. Some of the health benefits include:
- Calming your nervous system
- Alleviating skin problems
- Easing back pain and aching limbs
- Soothing muscle strain and muscle cramps
- Healing minor cuts
- Easing colds and congestion
- Removing toxins from the body
- Relaxing the body and reduces stress
- Relieves constipation
Bath Suggestions
- Wait to eat awhile before or after bathing.
- Drink a couple of glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated!
- Use 2 cups of Epsom salt for a standard sized tub. Add more salt if your tub is larger. You can find Epsom salt at your local grocery store.
- Draw the bath water at the hottest temperature you can handle–ideally, you want to promote sweating!
- You can add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda, which will help de-chlorinate the water as well as leaving your skin feeling very soft.
- Get into the water and let it surround you up to your neck.
- Stay in the water for at least 20 minutes. You will get really hot. Take this time to relax.
- As you drain the water, be very careful getting out of the tub. You could feel light headed and possibly dizzy.
- Dry off and continue drinking water. Anytime your body detoxes you need to flush out toxins with water.
Concerns
Everything in moderate seems to be healthy. If you are bathing in Epsom salts with prolonged exposure, you can dehydrate your body. Also, magnesium sulfate has a laxative effect, so diarrhea can also be a side effect from long baths. In most cases, soaking in an Epsom salt bath for 20 – 30 minutes typically is not harmful or cause any symptoms. You’ll need to test that theory out for yourself to see how your body reacts.
It is best not to use hot bath salt soaks if you have heart problems, varicose veins, and high blood pressure, are diabetic or are pregnant. Please consult your physician before soaking in an Epsom salt bath.
If you have any additional questions about what to expect after a massage, your massage therapist will be happy to answer them.
Contact I Got Your Back Massage Therapy or call 727-772-0220 today to get a massage to relieve your symptoms.
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Give us a call at 727-772-0220 for your next massage to help you relieve headaches, pain, and aches. I Got Your Back Massage Therapy is conveniently located at 1684 Alternate 19 in Palm Harbor. Our massage therapists are skilled in many techniques to help you improve your physical and mental health, including relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, reiki, and aromatherapy. Contact the professionals at I Got Your Back Massage Therapy and set up an appointment.
