Epsom salt baths

I think by far my favourite form of Fibromyalgia self-care is the Epsom salt bath on a bad pain day. This is because it is relaxing and the Epsom salts relax our stiff and sore muscles. I always take baths, I find them soothing. And I always put Epsom salts in there.

I will use a pleasantly scented bath salt. Maybe even add in some mildly scented bubbles. Then I have some natural products I use due to sensitive skin. I prefer homemade soap (Or sensitive skin Dove) and peppermint/rosemary shampoo. I play some tunes. And I bliss out.

Fact is, baths are an excellent form of relaxation:

• They improve our mood.
• Hot baths themselves ease muscle pain.
• Improve sleep if you have them before bed.

The Epsom salts just potentially enhance the relief of muscle aches and pains. I tend to have a soak after exercise.

You can, of course, make your own bath salts with pretty much any essential oil you want. Lavender is a good one if you also have a headache. (here is one recipe). You can also have a bath with just Epsom salts by themselves, no scent needed at all.

 

My favourite of all time is Dr. Teal’s Ecalytus and Spearmint.

Here are some benefits to Epsom Salts:

• We already know it is good for muscle pain, aches, and bruises, by reducing inflammation. And it is great right after exercise. I actually really recommend it after exercising for fibromyalgia
• Apparently, it is also a hair volumizer, which I really do not need, but good to know.
• The magnesium is said to help with relaxation, although the bath itself helps with that. I actually like it just to get some magnesium although I do also take a supplement and use magnesium oil.
• Also due to the magnesium, it can help with a migraine headache. Although I tend to use the magnesium oil for that.
• Can help with itchy skin and bug bites
• Due to the magnesium, it can help with constipation. Now, some magnesium supplements… Really help with that and I cannot take them. I do not find Epsom salts regularly bothers my digestive system.
• It can provide some relief to a sunburn
• People also use it as an exfoliant for their skin. And it also makes a great foot bath.

 

I actually take a lot of baths because taking a shower aggravates my vertigo for some bizzaro reason. And I always use Epsom salts. With fibromyalgia and migraine, the magnesium does me good. But it does help with the deep aches of fibromyalgia and eases the pain I always flare up with after exercise. It is great for relaxation. But, that being said, I also recommend a magnesium supplement or magnesium oil.

 

See also:

Self-care when you are in a funk

Remembering the self-care

Supplements

 

Sources:

Woman’s health

Care2

Global Healing