The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends Dead Sea mineral salt treatments to reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The Dead Sea Research Center provides research validating the impact of Dead Sea mineral treatments not only for arthritis but also for fibromyalgia and psoriasis. Dead Sea Mineral salt treatments include Dead Sea mineral baths, sulfur baths and mud packs. Seek the advice of your personal physician before considering Dead Sea mineral treatments.
Composition
Dead Sea water derives therapeutic value and physical activity from its mineral composition. The Dead Sea contains approximately 32 percent mineral salts. These mineral salts contain chloride, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium and bromide in descending order from highest to lowest concentration levels. The high concentration promotes buoyancy, encouraging floatation. These minerals are credited with enhancing circulation, soothing the nerves, decreasing arthritis pain and improving skin integrity when absorbed through the skin.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Clinical Experimental Rheumatology reports that study subjects with rheumatoid arthritis who bathed in 35 degrees Celsius bathwater enriched with Dead Sea salts for 20 minutes daily over two weeks demonstrated significant improvement in mobility, muscle strength and laboratory results. These improvements increased as the duration of treatments increased and lasted for up to one month after treatments.
Osteoarthritis
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews reviewed seven studies examining Dead Sea salt treatment and Dead Sea salt plus sulfur bath treatments on osteoarthritis. All studies showed significant improvement in pain and range of motion; however, gains decreased as time lengths after the last treatment increased. No gains were shown from one to three months after treatment.
Psoriatic Arthritis
The University of Tel Aviv, Israel, published "Immediate and Delayed Effects of Treatment at the Dead Sea in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis" in Rheumatology International. Dead Sea mineral salt treatment groups included Dead Sea bathing with sun exposure or Dead Sea bathing with sun exposure plus Dead Sea mud packs and sulfur baths. The effects of treatments provided over four weeks were measured at four, eight, 16 and 28 weeks. Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvements in morning stiffness, grip, flexibility and pain in comparison to the control. The addition of mud packs and sulfur baths to Dead Sea mineral bathing treatments prolonged measured benefits and reduced inflammatory back pain.
Fibromyalgia
Ben Gurion University's D. Buskila's and S. Sukenik's research concluded that daily Dead Sea sulfur baths over ten days improved physical functioning and reduced tenderness when compared to a control group. Further research is needed to verify findings and measure the length of time needed or frequency of follow-up treatments to prolong effects.
Psoriasis
The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology reports that Dead Sea mineral salt treatments prove effective for psoriasis treatment. One study reports that UVB light combined with a 10 percent Dead Sea salt solution benefits more than UVB alone after 35 treatments when measured up to six months after treatment.
Warnings
Individual results vary. Apply water safety protocols. Avoid sulfur treatments if you are sensitive to sulfur. Test for sensitivity before starting treatments. Adverse reactions may include skin sensitivity, hives, rashes and respiratory distress. Seek the recommendation of your personal physician before applying Dead Sea mineral salt treatments. Seek the advice of a skilled plumber before using bath salts to avoid damage to plumbing and septic systems. Seek Israeli and U.S. Department of State advice and avoid travel to Israel when the region is unsafe.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sulfur
- The Dead Sea Research Center: News and Research
- The Dead Sea Research Center: High Salt Concentration
- "The Journal of Rheumatology"; Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis at the Dead Sea; S. Sukenik et al.; July 1994
- "Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews"; Balneotherapy for Osteoarthritis; A.P. Verhagen et al.; October 2007
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