Can Epsom Salt Help Relieve Neck And Shoulder Trigger Points? What A Clinical Study Suggests

Epsom salt is often associated with relaxing baths and soothing sore muscles. But researchers are also exploring the therapeutic potential of the mineral compound behind epsom salt—magnesium sulfate—in clinical treatments for muscle pain.

A study titled “Effect of magnesium sulfate iontophoresis on myofascial trigger points in the upper fibres of the trapezius” examined whether magnesium sulfate could help reduce pain and improve mobility in people with trigger points in the neck and shoulder area.

Using a treatment called iontophoresis to deliver magnesium through the skin, researchers observed notable improvements in pain levels, neck movement, and muscle function.

Here’s what the study found, and why magnesium sulfate continues to draw interest in pain-relief research.

Understanding Trigger Points In The Trapezius

Myofascial trigger points—often called muscle knots—are small, hypersensitive spots within tight bands of muscle fibers. These knots develop when a portion of muscle stays contracted for an extended period.

Over time, sustained tension can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

The upper trapezius muscle, which extends across the neck and shoulders, is especially vulnerable to trigger points. It helps stabilize the neck and shoulders and stays active during everyday activities like lifting, reaching, and maintaining posture.

When trigger points form in the upper trapezius, people may experience:

Neck and shoulder pain
Muscle stiffness
Tenderness when pressure is applied
Headaches
Limited neck movement

These problems are especially common for people who spend long hours at desks or looking down at screens. Because trigger points can affect comfort and daily movement, researchers continue looking for treatments that reduce pain while improving function.

How Magnesium Sulfate Iontophoresis Works

The study focused on magnesium sulfate, the compound that makes up epsom salt. Researchers delivered it using iontophoresis, a technique that uses a mild electrical current to move a therapeutic compound through the skin and into targeted tissues.

Compared with oral supplementation or injections, iontophoresis aims for more localized delivery to the affected area, which potentially increases local effects while limiting systemic exposure.

Magnesium sulfate was selected because magnesium plays a key role in muscle relaxation and nerve function. It may help reduce pain by decreasing nerve excitability and supporting relaxation in tight muscle fibers.

Magnesium may also support circulation through vasodilation, helping deliver oxygen to muscle tissue and remove metabolic byproducts that contribute to soreness.

Inside The Study

This clinical trial included 60 participants aged 19 to 24 with active trigger points in the dominant upper trapezius.

They were split into two groups:

The Magnesium Group: Received iontophoresis with magnesium sulfate.
The Control Group: Received the same electrical current but used only distilled water.

Both groups received treatment twice per week for four weeks.

To evaluate effectiveness, researchers measured:

Pain intensity (visual pain scale)
Pressure pain threshold (how sensitive the trigger point was to pressure)
Neck range of motion
Neck disability and functional performance

Assessments were taken before treatment, immediately after the first session, and after completing the full four-week program.

What The Results Showed

Both groups improved over the course of the study, but the magnesium sulfate iontophoresis group improved significantly more.

Pain Levels Dropped Sharply
Participants receiving magnesium sulfate saw pain scores fall by about 50% after the first session, and by more than 85% after four weeks.

That suggests magnesium sulfate delivered via iontophoresis may quickly reduce discomfort associated with trapezius trigger points, with even greater improvement over repeated sessions.

Trigger Points Became Less Sensitive
Pressure pain threshold increased more in the magnesium sulfate group than in the control group, meaning the trigger points became less reactive and less painful when pressure was applied.

Neck Mobility Improved
Because trigger points can restrict movement through tightness and guarding, range of motion matters. After treatment, the magnesium sulfate group showed greater improvements in neck flexibility, including bending and rotation, suggesting reduced tension and better functional movement.

Daily Function Improved
As pain decreased and mobility increased, participants also reported improvements in everyday neck-and-shoulder activities, reflecting better overall function by the end of the four-week program.

Why Magnesium May Help Muscle Pain

Researchers propose a few ways magnesium sulfate may influence trigger point pain:

Magnesium ions may increase the threshold at which nerve fibers send pain signals, which reduces perceived intensity.

Magnesium may also affect neurotransmitters involved in muscle contraction. This supports relaxation in stubbornly tight fibers.

Additionally, magnesium sulfate may promote improved blood flow by widening blood vessels. Better circulation can support oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscle tissue while helping clear waste products associated with soreness.

Together, these effects may help reduce the persistent tension that keeps trigger points active.

Bringing Epsom Salt Into Your Self-Care Routine

The therapy used in the study required iontophoresis equipment typically found in physical therapy clinics. Still, the findings highlight the muscle-relaxing potential of magnesium sulfate—the same compound found in epsom salt.

While a bath soak doesn’t deliver magnesium sulfate the same way iontophoresis does, epsom salt baths remain a popular, simple ritual for winding down and soothing tired muscles at home.

A warm epsom salt bath with a ready-to-use blend like our Back Soothing Bath Soak can encourage relaxation after workouts, long days at work, or periods of built-up tension.

Ready To Unwind With Epsom Salt?

If you’re looking for a simple way to soothe tired muscles and add a relaxing ritual to your day, epsom salt baths and foot soaks are an easy place to start.

Explore our collection of ready-to-use blends and bring the calming experience of mineral bathing into your home. A warm soak may be just what your body needs to relax and recharge.

Click here to shop today.