How to Use an Epsom Salt Bath to Treat Sore Muscles

Magnesium sulfate, better known as Epsom salt, can be added to bath water as both a cleanser and a muscle relaxing agent. Here’s how to add Epsom salt to your bath and hopefully reap these benefits.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ¾ to 1 cup Epsom salt
• Bathtub

1. Before you start running the bath water, close your bathroom door to keep the steam in. You want the bathroom to be as warm and comfortable as possible.

2. As you start running the bath water, set the water temperature as hot as you can stand.

3. Dump the Epsom salt into the bathtub. Spread it evenly across the bottom of the tub, rather than allowing it to pile up in one small area. It should be completely or almost completely dissolved by the time you’re done running the bath water.

4. When the water reaches your desired level, turn off the tap. Take off your clothes and get into the water very slowly, allowing each part of your body to get acclimated to the water temperature before proceeding further.

5. As you lie in the water, massage your sore muscles, or even stretch them out if you have room. But above all, relax. Breathe slowly and evenly, and allow yourself to sink down into the water.

6. When you are finished, drain the water from the tub. Then rinse the Epsom salt residue out of the tub with a little lukewarm water.

[tracysmith159]

on 6/17/2009 I didn't know Epsom salt would help with sore muscles. I'll have to give it a try.