Transdermal Magnesium for Pain Relief: Benefits & Types

Adapted from the Well.ca post “Why You Totally Need Topical Magnesium” with permission from the author, Anna Bolton.

As the fourth most abundant mineral in our bodies, magnesium has a role to play in everybody’s health and wellbeing, but especially those who experience chronic pain or sore muscles.

People take magnesium supplements orally, in the form of tablets, capsules, drinks, or even gummies, and it’s true that no matter what form you choose, magnesium can help manage pain.

But there are specific benefits to using magnesium transdermally.

Topical — or transdermal magnesium — delivers the magnesium your body needs for pain relief in a convenient form. One of the main benefits of topical use is that the magnesium bypasses the digestive system. This can be helpful for anyone who has trouble processing and absorbing magnesium orally, at a therapeutic dose.

Benefits of Transdermal Application

While soaking in an Epsom salt bath is a relaxing and enjoyable method of absorbing the magnesium your body needs, it’s also time-consuming.

For those who are on the go, fast and effective options can come in the form of transdermal magnesium creams, balms, gels or sprays.

Transdermal magnesium can also supply your body with high levels of magnesium in a short time, without the laxative effect you can get with a high dose of oral magnesium. This makes it a fitting option, particularly for anyone who struggles taking larger amounts of magnesium orally.

If you have problems absorbing magnesium through the gut, taking it topically could be just what you need to boost your magnesium levels and avoid the risk of digestive issues or problems processing your needed dosage.

Essentially, transdermals are a convenient method of absorbing the magnesium your body needs. They bypass the digestive system, giving an advantage to anyone who has trouble processing and absorbing magnesium beyond a certain amount orally.

Transdermal Magnesium for Pain Relief

From muscle tension to migraine pain, magnesium absorbed through the skin moves quickly into the bloodstream, allowing us to feel its results quickly and effectively.

Inside your body, magnesium is used to block calcium and help muscles relax. Magnesium deficiency would mean that muscles are less regulated and not relaxing as easily. This means that keeping your magnesium levels up will help relax your muscles, decreasing muscle soreness, spasms, and cramps.

Additionally, studies suggest that magnesium can also act as a nerve pain reliever. Simply put, one of the primary contributors to pain is the overstimulation of a brain chemical named NMDA. Magnesium can subdue this activity naturally, and will provide relief from a number of different afflictions.

When in pain, you may find that higher doses of magnesium provide more relief. But taking a large dose of oral magnesium (e.g. over 200 mg) at one time can have a laxative effect. Our bodies aren’t really meant to absorb high doses of magnesium at one time. If people were eating high magnesium foods regularly, they’d be getting their daily dose spread out over the course of the day.

In order to avoid this effective with a big oral dose, try a transdermal magnesium cream, gel, liquid or spray.

MagTherapy can be applied topically to wherever you’re feeling achy — Natural Calm enthusiasts often tell us that transdermal magnesium has helped them get relief from sore muscles, cramps, spasms, restless legs syndrome, arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, migraines, painful eczema and more.

Given its versatility and simplicity, transdermal magnesium is something to keep on hand at all times.

How Much Magnesium Should I Apply?

Since your kidneys take care of extra magnesium in your system, it is unlikely that you will ever use too much. Kidney diseases are an exception, and in those cases, caution is advised. On the whole however, there have been no reports of magnesium toxicity through transdermal application.

Just do what feels right and reap the benefits. If you have any questions, you are welcome to consult our Ultimate Guide to Transdermal Magnesium, or contact us with specific questions anytime at info@naturalcalm.ca.

Which Type of Magnesium is Best for Me?

It’s important to remember that most types of transdermal magnesium are made with magnesium chloride. Extracted from evaporation ponds in California, Natural Calm’s magnesium chloride comes from purified seawater bursting with vital minerals for your wellbeing.

Magnesium chloride liquid is our most concentrated form, meaning you’ll see the rewards with just a half teaspoon per use. Still, it can easily be diluted with any natural oil, water, or any lotion you’d like, then massaged into tense or painful areas.

If you feel itchy or tingly, it’s the natural seawater at work — nothing to worry about. Rinse away your magnesium chloride 20-30 minutes after use, or use extra moisturizer to minimize the effect.

MagTherapy gel, spray, and balm products are ready-to-use, already diluted options that are gentler on children, and an excellent alternative to those with more sensitive skin.

We like to say, ‘think of magnesium chloride like seawater’. It’s hard to have too much! We don’t think you should sweat over the amount you use. If you’re feeling more relaxed, getting relief from pain, and sleeping well – it’s working.