How to Ease Pain With Epsom Salt

Suffering with tired, over-worked muscles? Ease them in a soothing hot bath mixed with magnesium sulfate -- commonly known as Epsom salt. The salty compound works by drawing chemical waste from the body, increasing blood flow, and extracting acids, minerals and energy byproducts trapped in muscle tissue. A short soak in a tub or application of the salt on targeted areas of your body will speed up healing and reduce soreness.

Things You'll Need

• Epsom salt
• Hot water
• Several small and medium-sized towels
• Measuring cup
• Cheese cloth (optional)
• Spa mud
• Bathtub
• Microwave oven

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Instructions

• 1

  Epsom salt provides many health benefits.

  Full body soak: Draw a hot bath. Pour 2 to 4 cups of Epsom salt into the tub. Stir the salt until it's dissolved. Immerse in the tub and soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.

• 2

  Hot compress: Make a compress using either cheese cloth or a small towel. Pour 1/2 cup of Epsom salt into the towel or cheese cloth. Roll the towel or fold the cheese cloth securely around the salt. Dampen the towel or cheese cloth, place it in a microwave oven, and heat for 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and apply to your sore muscle. Cover the compress with a dry towel to maintain heat. Leave the compress on your muscle for at least 20 minutes.

• 3

  Concentrated application: Mix 1 cup of spa mud with 1/4 cup of hot water and 1/2 cup of Epsom salt. Apply the mixture to your extremities, allowing it to remain on your skin for approximately 30 minutes. The mud-and-salt mixture will stick to your skin and boost absorption of muscle acids. Once removed, the areas may tingle, due to increased blood flow and enhanced nerve conduction.