You pulled a muscle lifting weights at the gym. Or may be your arthritis is acting up. Is there anything you can do, besides waiting it out? Epsom salt (Magnesium sulphate) has been used for hundreds of years to ease all kinds of aches and pains including smooth muscle aches, treating sunburn, decreasing swelling and removing splinters. A simple soak in the tub or foot bath with Epsom Salt may help you feel better.