Apple Cider Vinegar & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerves that run from the forearm to the hand become compressed. The syndrome involves swelling, inflammation and irritation of the tendons surrounding the nerves, often due to repetitive use or fluid retention. Sufferers may have pain, numbness or tingling in the affected wrist, hand and fingers.

Apple cider vinegar has been used to treat inflammation and a wide variety of illnesses for many years. It's a popular folk remedy and the subject of many books on alternative and herbal healing. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to have medicinal effects in many scientific studies.

Controversy

• There is no direct evidence that supports using apple cider vinegar as a treatment or cure for carpal tunnel syndrome. Apple cider vinegar has been touted as a largely unproven cure-all for all manner of ailments, from dandruff to liver spots to lice. Doctors and scientists are skeptical that one product can cure such a wide variety of health problems, and view all apple cider claims as spurious.

  There is indirect evidence that supports drinking apple cider vinegar to reduce inflammation, however. It has been noted that increasing the amount of antioxidants in the diet reduces inflammation and chronic pain, and apple cider vinegar contains large amounts of antioxidants. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often caused by inflammation, so anti-inflammatory treatments may help lessen symptoms.

Benefits

• Apple cider vinegar is a natural product. It's available without a prescription and has a long history of use as a food product with few side effects. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be used in a variety of recipes, making it easy to include in the diet.

  Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome often includes taking anti-inflammatory medications. Drinking apple cider vinegar to reduce inflammation has fewer potential side effects than using drugs such as ibuprofen.

Treatment

• Reducing inflammation using apple cider vinegar is simple: Increase your intake of apple cider vinegar by eating or drinking it.

  Most vinegar proponents recommend having portions of the apple cider vinegar throughout the day, rather than drinking it all at once. Make a tonic by adding 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces of filtered water, adding raw honey to sweeten if desired. Drink the tonic instead of water or other beverages, and aim for three glasses per day.

  Apple cider vinegar can also be included in the diet by using it as an ingredient in dressings and marinades. You can bake with apple cider vinegar in any recipe that calls for milk or buttermilk. Simply add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of milk for each cup of buttermilk required by the recipe.

Side Effects

• While some folk remedies call for making an apple cider vinegar poultice and applying it to the skin to reduce inflammation and swelling, this is probably not helpful. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which can irritate or burn your skin.

  Drinking apple cider vinegar directly can irritate your stomach and worsen peptic ulcers.

  Long-term use of vinegar can wear down the enamel on your teeth. Using a straw to sip apple cider vinegar tonic can help avoid this side effect.

Considerations

• Carpal tunnel syndrome can have many causes, and often a combination of therapies is needed to get relief. Adding apple cider vinegar to your diet can be helpful, but may not be enough to cure or prevent the pain from coming back. You may need to take vinegar for several weeks before you see the full results of the treatment.