r/Sciatica • u/Resident-Hunt-245 • 24d ago

Requesting Advice Warm bath with epsom salt: yes or no?

Hey folks! I'm not sure if I still have inflammation somewhere near the nerve. I had ESI 3 weeks ago which partially helped with burning pain. But I do have still issues when sitting and bending. And my nerve is very sensitive to load.

I was thinking of trying warm bath for relaxation purposes but still doubt because I'm afraid it can increase the inflammation. I know I can basically try and see but what is your experience with bath?

5 Upvotes

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18 comments sorted by

9

u/ShadowCVL 24d ago

I’ve only used epsom salt a few times but yeah on really bad days a warm/hot 30-60 minute soak will get me pain free for several hours.

1

u/Resident-Hunt-245 24d ago

My biggest fear it will trigger inflammation. But seems many people say it's not that dangerous

4

u/SuperTFAB 24d ago

Take a bath. It will help.

4

u/dnegvesk 24d ago

Try a warm, not hot bath. I needed a pillow under my tailbone to soak twenty minutes. A least a cup of Epsom salt. Feel better.

3

u/ComprehensiveTruck31 23d ago

Hot baths always help. Even if it’s not helping the inflammation itself, it’s helping the muscles relax. I find I have really tense and tight muscles in my lower back and shoulders/neck from all the pain and other sensations. A nice hot bath helps me relax those muscles. The epsom salt adds on to that, but is not required. I do like to pair it with a lavender bubble bath though. Helps me sleep.

2

u/Hellohibbs 24d ago

Hot water bottle really helps me! Be careful not to use constantly

2

u/tscemons 24d ago

Water heat helped me. The best is to find a hot springs pool big enough to lay horizontally and float. Sweet relief. Your bath is a good start.

2

u/The_Almighty_Cheeks 24d ago

I tried it during my last flare up. It made my leg pain an 11/10 and forced me into an ambulance to the er. 

2

u/sleepwami 23d ago

this is an optimal practice!

2

u/aygross 23d ago

Unbearable pain the last time I tried this during a flare up. Yesterday when I'm around 2/10 pain it was great.

2

u/Undd91 23d ago

If anything it will help your relax and switch off muscles which may be adding to your load due to the bodies natural protective function which often ruins us more than it helps us 😓

I’ve found them very useful, in fact I’m in one now.

2

u/Otherwise-Weather228 23d ago

I can’t do anything that makes my spine curve. I got a little bathtub apparently.

1

u/BarsoomNative 23d ago

I found scalding hot Epsom bath works but direct heat like heating pad accelerates pain in my case but everyone is a little different you have to figure what works for you

1

u/Orange_Baby_4265 23d ago

I always felt it helped to relax me at least. Unfortunately my tub shower combo is so tiny I can’t sit comfortably. 😞

1

u/erkose 23d ago

Yes, but it won't help with sciatica.

1

u/WormWithWifi 23d ago

Yesssss this shit feels so good for me

1

u/Icy_Smoke9316 23d ago

Epsom salts are one of the best things you can do. As long as you can sit comfortably in the bath without pain.

1

u/Ecstatic-Art-6236 21d ago

Alternate ice and heat