Back pain: is vinegar a cure for back pain?
As many of my readers know, I suffered from back pain and for the past four years I have written about my return journey from bedridden to wellness. Along the way, I have become a firm believer in non-invasive natural treatments. One treatment that has been around for thousands of years is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has been considered a cure for many diseases. From flu to stomach ache, schooling, diphtheria, high fever, dysentery, urinary tract infections and more. But can it also cure back pain? Many people believe that it can.
Many people report relief from their back pain by taking apple cider vinegar with a glass of water. Most report relief in 3-5 days. Some even feel a decrease in their pain after 2-3 glasses. Now most of these stories are anecdotal. For what it’s worth, here’s my story.
Aunt Izzy died at the age of 95, not from cancer or a heart attack, but from a fall at home. Until his death he drank apple cider in a glass of water every day. His mind was sharp. She could have a conversation about current events or some event in her life from 90 years ago. She seldom took aspirin, lived alone at home for 55 years, and drove a car until she was 92. Whenever someone was feeling ill, their response was to try a little vinegar.
Recently, dealing with severe back pain, surgery, and physical therapy, I have been looking for non-invasive natural treatments. Would apple cider work? Research online reveals a number of sites that claim vinegar might work. I started taking a tablespoon in a glass of water. The flavor was quite strong, so I added a tablespoon of honey. The next day, the pain was less despite an intense physical therapy session. After three days the pain, although still present, is much better.
Why does vinegar seem to ease back pain? Well, some think it’s because vinegar acts as a detoxifier, ridding the body of toxins that could cause back pain. Many claim that you should use organic apple cider vinegar, because OACV contains many nutrients that are not found in pasteurized vinegar. The vinegar I used was only Heniz apple cider vinegar available in any supermarket. Heinz was also the vinegar my aunt used. The organic variety can be found in health food stores and is quite expensive compared to Heinz. I tried the organic variety, but didn’t notice any difference.
Will it work for you? I don’t know, but vinegar is a simple and cheap home remedy with no side effects. There is no science behind apple cider vinegar as a cure, but it might be worth a try.