What is transdermal magnesium good for?

Written by: Dana Brackley-Jones, Pilates Manager and Registered Physiotherapist Balwyn Sports and Physiotherapy Centre

As an experienced Physiotherapist and movement therapist, I am frequently seeing clients suffer from calf cramps during their exercises. As we discuss the calf cramps, the discussion commonly turns to “restless legs”, their suffering as a result and the discomfort and difficulty getting to sleep at night.

Whenever I hear clients discuss these issues, my biggest recommendation is transdermal magnesium or magnesium spray. A few sprays of magnesium oil, directly onto the skin, over the calf muscles every night before bed works wonders.

Spraying the magnesium directly onto the skin results in quick absorption of the magnesium by the body, effectively and quickly eliminating calf cramps and restless legs by relaxing the nerves and the muscles of the legs.

As you build up the level of magnesium by doing this on consecutive nights it is also possible to see some improvement in your sleep time and quality. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and relaxing the muscles is one of the effects. Magnesium naturally relaxes the body.

For gym warriors, spraying magnesium into the muscle groups that have been worked hard assists in decreasing the DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness). Similarly soaking in a warm bath with magnesium flakes (Magnesium Chloride flakes are stronger and more readily absorbed when compared to Epsom salts) following a footy match or an intense training session is a great recovery option. Magnesium helps with the transportation of energy within the cells preventing fatique. 

For the keyboard warriors who suffer from achy neck and shoulders, I recommend keeping a bottle of Magnesium oil at their desks and periodically spraying it into their tight neck and shoulder muscles throughout the day.

Transdermal Magnesium is definitely one of my recommendations as an adjunct to my therapeutic prescription.