Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints, which can restrict mobility and damage the joints. Arthritis medications are usually effective, though some people also look to alternative treatments to relieve their symptoms, including apple cider vinegar.
A lot of patients use home remedies for arthritis, including apple cider vinegar (ACV), to reduce their reliance on pain medication, said eMediHealth.
The health site added: “If anecdotal evidence is to be believed, ACV may exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce joint inflammation and pain, but this is yet to be verified by science.
“It may also speed up weight loss, which is another major plus for people with arthritis.
“Excessive body weight not only makes one more prone to arthritis, but it can also exacerbate the condition once it occurs.”
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Apple cider vinegar’s health claims have been well documented since ancient times.
Centuries later, a British nurse, Margaret Hills, who developed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and later osteoarthritis in the early 1960s, popularised using apple cider vinegar specifically to manage arthritis symptoms.
Hills claimed that consuming apple cider vinegar helped her to lead a pain-free life.
She promoted the approach in a book and later established a clinic promoting apple cider vinegar’s effectiveness at helping to treat arthritis and the symptoms associated with the condition.
How to use
Applying apple cider vinegar to affected areas of the skin may help treat psoriatic arthritis, said Dr Nicole Avena, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a visiting professor of health psychology at Princeton University in New Jersey.
She added: “Always start off with diluted ACV, mixing equal parts vinegar and warm water, to make sure your skin or scalp can tolerate it.
“Be especially careful when applying ACV near an open wound.
“Gently pat it on with a cloth, using just a few tablespoons.
“ACV can help change the affected area’s pH levels to lessen flaking.”
The most common way of using apple cider vinegar as a treatment for various ailments is by drinking it.
However, vinegar is highly acidic, and it’s advised that before consuming, dilute it with water to prevent damage to your teeth.
Another recommended use for this product as an arthritis treatment is to apply it topically for local pain relief, said Healthline.
The site continued: “Using a cotton ball, apply vinegar to the affected area twice a day.
“To prevent irritation, consider diluting the solution with an oil such as coconut oil or olive oil and massage it into your skin. If you notice an adverse reaction, stop using it immediately.
“Many people believe that adding apple cider vinegar to your bath before bed can also help to relieve arthritis pain.
“Add one cup of the vinegar to your evening bath and sit in the solution for 20 to 30 minutes. This can help reduce overnight stiffness and swelling.”