Epsom Salts

[itself]

As I have been training for a Century ride, I made sure to pick up a lot of Epsom Salts to do some nice soaks in the tub. I can't say enough about how simple and how well they work.

If you have some aches and pain, give them a try!

[pinkychique]

I LOVE epsom salts!! A good long soak in them is so nice. Good on the saddle sores too

[Biciclista]

so what exactly are epsom salts? I Looked it up in wikipedia:

Magnesium sulfate is used in bath salts, particularly in flotation therapy where high concentrations raise the bath water's specific gravity, effectively making the body more buoyant. This property is also used to restore some Lava lamps damaged by being shaken by exchanging the water and adding drops of a concentrated solution until sustainable buoyancy is reached. Traditionally, it is also used to prepare foot baths, intended to soothe sore feet. The reason for the inclusion of the salt is partially cosmetic: the increase in ionic strength prevents some of the temporary skin wrinkling ("pruning" – partial maceration) which is caused by prolonged immersion of extremities in pure water. However, magnesium sulfate can also be absorbed into the skin, reducing inflammation. It is also sometimes found in bottled mineral water, and accordingly is sometimes listed in the contents thereof. It may also be used as a coagulant for making tofu.[4]

[Eden]

Good on the saddle sores too

owie, owie, owie... you are talking about sitbone soreness and not open saddle sores I'm guessing? Salt in saddle sores hurts!

[zoom-zoom]

When I first sprained my ankle I LOVED soaking in epsom solution. REALLY brought down the pain and swelling. Now I wish I'd known about it when I was training for marathons and doing ice baths (ie our super cold tap water) after long runs. I'll bet a cup or two of epsom salts in the bath would have added extra relief.

[itself]

Just a friendly reminder that from what I have read, you should only soak in epsom salts for 10 minutes. After this time, the toxins are reabsorbed into the body. A bummer as I like long soaks!

[redrhodie]

Where did you read that? I haven't heard that before. There are no warnings for length of time of a soak on the carton. I've been soaking for a half hour 3 times per week for years.

[westtexas]

Just a friendly reminder that from what I have read, you should only soak in epsom salts for 10 minutes. After this time, the toxins are reabsorbed into the body. A bummer as I like long soaks!

What toxins?

[itself]

Ok, I am the devil's advocate!

Ice therapy is also recommended not to be done no more than 10 minutes. There "seems" to be a consistency here and that the 10 minutes with the Epsom salt may not be all hog wash.

I soak in suds for as long as I want, then add the epsom salts the last ten minutes..

[pll]

The 10 min limit on ice therapy is to prevent tissue damage on your skin...