If you suffer from moderate to severe arthritis, you may already know that moist heat therapy helps alleviate pain. There could be no better feeling than wrapping your joints in a warm, wet towel. Maybe you’ve elevated that and started taking warm baths to soak your joints. That is also a viable option to help keep your blood flowing and ease inflammation. Is it possible to elevate your heat therapy even more? Some say a mineral bath is the best way to alleviate arthritis pain. The truth of this statement is a mixed bag. We’ll dive into the best options for your mineral bath to help inflammation and decide once and for all what is the best bath to alleviate arthritis pain. Is it just warm water or bubbles, suds, and minerals?
The Perfect Mineral Bath
It is always important to note that your bath should be warm, not hot. Arthritis can destroy your nerve endings and cause a lack of sensitivity. If your bath is too hot, you may burn yourself and not even know it. To make your mineral bath, dissolve 1 gram of minerals into each liter of warm water. Most mineral baths contain sulfur and magnesium. Ever since ancient times, people have turned to mineral baths or natural hot springs for relaxation and to ease pain. This practice is called balneotherapy. However, besides smelling good, these standard mineral baths do no more for most than just plain warm water. That is, until people found Epsom Salt.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is not like your everyday table salt. It is a compound of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. It was found in natural underground springs in the early 17th century in the United Kingdom. Today, you can find it in practically every grocery store and drugstore. When you dissolve Epsom Salt in water, it releases magnesium, sulfate, and many other key ingredients found in most spa-style mineral baths. Many researchers agree, Epsom Salt is the key ingredient to make the best bath to alleviate arthritis pain.
Science behind Mineral Baths
Thousands of people who suffer from arthritis pain swear by the benefits of mineral baths. However, not all of them report the same benefits. Many researchers state that it is impossible for minerals to absorb through the skin. Therefore, any benefits from a mineral bath are strictly placebo. However, this science is still in its infancy, and there are various types of arthritis.
For those with rheumatoid arthritis, studies have proven that people function better with 21 days of mineral baths. These benefits lasted up to six months but unfortunately tapered off after 12 months.
People with knee osteoarthritis also reported greater improvement from mineral baths. However, those with hip osteoarthritis did not report the same benefits. The hip joint is deeper than the knee, which suggests that the mineral bath cannot help. This does suggest that previous science that said minerals could not be absorbed into the skin may be false. They just cannot absorb deep enough to help certain types of joint pain. However, if your joint pain is surface level, and you wish to alleviate your inflammation, then a mineral bath with Epsom Salt may be for you.
The Best Bath to Alleviate Arthritis Pain.
Some people may not have the money or mobility to venture to an expensive spa. A quality mineral bath with Epsom Salt is not a substitute for your regular arthritis medications and treatments. If your pain is severe enough, make sure you have a loved one or trusted friend close by to maintain safety while you’re in your bath. They could also help you draw your bath.
Step 1: Fill your tub with warm water. Make sure it’s not too hot. If you lack sensitivity because of damaged nerves, you may want to use a thermometer to ensure it’s not too hot. The tub should only be a few degrees above your body temperature.
Step 2: Add Espom Salt. For most standard baths, you will not need more than 2 cups of salt. Pour it directly under the running faucet to help it dissolve as the tub fills. If your bath has a whirlpool or jets, check with the manufacturer if minerals like epsom salt can harm your mechanisms.
Step 3: Soak in your warm bath for anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes. This is the length of time used in most studies, and any longer has little to no added benefit.
Step 4: Rinse off afterward because the Epsom salt can dry out your skin. Apply a skin moisturizer or lotion, especially if you suffer from psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. If your skin gets too dry, you may need to stop the Epsom Salt baths altogether.
Step 5: Dress warmly after. Dressing warmly will help the relaxing warm bath last longer on the body and reduce inflammation. Continue your routine for two to three weeks, as this is when most of the benefits from your baths will develop.
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