Don't underestimate the power of magnesium!

In conjunction with strengthening muscles through exercise, for those who are dealing with chronic pain in your feet, back, knees, etc it might be worth considering looking into some trans-dermal magnesium therapy. Sounds complicated but really it is so simple to do.

It is well discussed and well accepted by many in the health industry (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/19/magnesium-deficiency.aspx,  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/844214, http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/magnesium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/drg-20070730) most north Americans suffer from varying levels of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is one of those crucial minerals which when in balance can make a marked difference between being productive and struggling with a wide range of at times debilitating health issues. For a good article on why magnesium is so important for our overall health please visit http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/magnificent-magnesium/. Here are just a few of the many affects of magnesium deficiency: (see the above article for a more detailed list)

• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety disorders
• Auto-immune disorders
• Crooked teeth/narrow jaw in children from Mg deficient mothers
• Dental caries
• Depression
• Diabetes, types I and II
• Gut disorders including peptic ulcer, Crohn’s disease, colitis
• Insomnia
• Migraines
• PMS—including menstrual pain and irregularities
• Thyroid disorders

Magnesium gel is an easy and effective way to improve your health and ease sore muscles, as well as speed up injury recovery. One tablespoon of magnesium oil or gel trans-dermaly will provide you with 600 mg of magnesium. I find it particularly helpful to put it on immediately after a workout about 20 mins before I shower or take a bath. If I am feeling particularly sore or worn out I might complement that with an Epsom's salt bath. While Epsom's salt is another good way to absorb some magnesium, because it is make from magnesium sulfate and not chloride (the latter of which is much more readily assimilated) it is soothing and does give some benefit.

You can take a magnesium supplement, which I recommend right before bed, but many people find taking magnesium orally is hard to digest and to get a therapeutic amount often causes diarrhea. So i would suggest to take it orally to bowel capacity or less, and that will vary with each person, and try trans-dermal supplementation.

To take magnesium transdermally you can either go to your local health food store, superstore often carries the calm brand of magnesium gel and sometimes even has it on sale. The other option is to make your own, which is easy and much less expensive.

To make your own magnesium oil all you need is equal parts of magnesium chloride crystals and distilled water. Bring water to a boil add crystals and dissolve. remove from heat and let cool. If you would like a higher concentration then increase the crystals. You can put it in a spray bottle and use about 10-20 squirts a day.

Another nice option is a lovely recipe I found for magnesium lotion on this website http://creativechristianmama.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil-lotion/ I plan on giving this one a try and will let you know how it works.

So as you journey into barefoot living you may want to consider as part of your transition, to help ease some of the sore muscles and/or to help repair some of the more chronic injuries which have kept you in orthotics and supportive shoes, home trans-dermal magnesium therapy. Oh and while you are having your little magnesium bath don't forget that there is nothing like a good quality dark chocolate truffle or ten, I mean two, to help add a little extra magnesium to your day and a glorious smile to your face!

Pax!