The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Eulalio (Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland) on 02/16/2013
★★★★★
I have no history of bursitis or anything like it, although I have a right shoulder ball and socket joint that has always been able to dislocate, so maybe some structural problems there.
Anyway, a couple months back I started practicing kung fu and qi gong more intensively than in the past (like 2 hours a day). Right shoulder started getting sore enough so I couldn't lie on it at night (turns out to be a standard sign of bursitis).
Finally one day it started getting really inflamed and the pain just getting worse. Worst pain I ever experienced for a solid week. Couldn't even move the arm. Excruciating. Aspirin helped the most among over-the-counter pills. Couldn't even wait the 4 hours between doses.
Anyway, accurately verified diagnosis as bursitis online and found this site. Got a bottle of apple cider vinegar and started taking a spoonful in water 3 times a day. Wasn't sure at first whether it was helping or my body was just following its natural course of healing.
After a few weeks, inflammation was down to maybe 25% of the original and I was doing light exercise again. Cut the vinegar treatment down to once a day and improvement seemed to stop. So, after a week I went back to 3 times again and improvement picked up again.
It's now 6 weeks since it all started and I'm able to sleep on the arm again, and am working out again, although much more carefully. I try to avoid exercises that rotate the arm in a 360 degree circle as this causes a "click" in the tendons that I think may be most responsible for irritating the area.
My bottom line is that I'm pretty sure the vinegar is doing something, so I'm going to continue it perhaps indefinitely.
Alternating Heat/Ice Therapy
Posted by Javagenie (Central, Vt) on 05/11/2010
★★★★★
This cure worked for me and I hope I can help someone else. The method is called alternating heat/ice therapy. I suffered for 2 weeks with this awful pain in my right shoulder. I was finally told by a friend what it was. I had never even heard of bursitis before. He said he had it once and the dr gave him a shot of cortisone. After doing some research, I was not going to a Dr. for that. But, on the 3rd week, I could not rotate my shoulder enough to get dressed. I tried heat and cold packs. It hurt so much I was taking 800mg ibuprofen 6 times a day. That's every 4hrs. on the dot. It would wake me up at night when I needed another dose.
Finally i read about this alternating heat and cold therapy. Apparently there are a lot of different ways to do it. Basically, you place ice on the affected area for 10min. and then switch to heat for 5min. You keep alternating back and forth for an hour or even longer if you want. The idea is to create a pump within your joint/muscles. Cold pushes blood out and heat pulls it in. Allowing the infection inflmation to be pumped right out of the joint. This made sense to me. So, I got started.
I honestly didn't keep track of time... when it felt like it was aching from too much cold (5-10min.) I would swap to heat until it felt nice and relaxed. Then switch back to cold. Important thing to remember: always end with cold. You want to remove the inflamation at the end. I used ice packs wrapped in towels and an electric heating pad. I would do this for up to 2hrs a night watching tv or reading before bed. Every morning it felt better... so, I kept doing it. After 4-5days, my shoulder was almost completely healed. I had some minor pain when over extending the range of motion. Like reaching high above my head (eg. reaching for a dish on the top shelf). But, within a few days that was gone. I suffered miserably for 3 weeks... and in only a few days this relieved it. I'm sure it would've only taken 1 or 2 treatements to cure this if I started sooner. Anyway, It's been about a month, and no pain still.
Can you imagine how powerful this technique would be with the right herbal remedies? Combining this with a natural antibiotic/anti-inflamatory would be great. Unfortunately, I had no idea what to take so heat/ice was all i used.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Willie S. (Witbank Mpumalanga, South Africa) on 08/09/2017
★★★★★
I had Bursitis in my right elbow it was the size of a golf ball,
I drank 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey in water.
Once in the morning and once before bedtime and in 10 days the ball under my elbow was gone. For the 10 days I was taking this mixture I did rub the ball under my elbow for 20 seconds twice a day. No oil was used.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by John (Siren, Wisconsin) on 09/20/2013
★★★★★
Bursitis: Milk of magnesia the best pain cure. I had painted 2 bedrooms and overdid it on my right elbow. The pain was excruciating. MOM took it way down in less than 8 hours. Thanks everyone for the great site and info.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Bonnie (Venice, Louisiana/usa) on 09/17/2011
★★★★★
I tried the MOM because it was the easiest to obtain. I had immediate relief from hip bursitis from which I had suffered for a year or more. I had tried several things: light exercise and stretching (when I could), corisone shots, naproxan sodium, acetiminophen, rest... The MOM work immedately to relieve pain so I can returned to a better quality of life! Since I didn't need the laxative effect, I have had to cut back to 2 T. once a day, right after work. I am amazed at how well it works! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this!
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Paul (Port Jefferson Station, Ny) on 07/20/2010
★★★★★
After being hit with my first and hopefully only bout of very painful hip Bursitis I came here for some advice. Tried the Milk of Magnesia 2 TBSP twice a day for 5 days and I was 90% better. In addition, seeing the post stating that when calcium is high magnesium is low and understanding the relationship Vitamin D also has with calcium I added (1) 2000 Unit vitamin D tab to my diet. I did nothing else and felt tremendous relief and was not about to go for Cortisone injections as suggested by others. When my Hip was about 95% better I felt some sharp pain in my knee causing me to limp again. I took another 2 doses of Milk of Magnesia, my knee feels much better, and my hip bursitis is GONE!!! Thank you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Georgiana (USA)
★★★★★
My father had just retired. A very active man all his life, he found himself suffering with bursitis in the shoulder joints. After taking honey and cider vinegar twice am and eve. for approx two weeks he felt relief and better mobility. After 30 days he could do windmills with both arms. He was so grateful. Thanks for the site, love the generosity and sharing.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Denise Enright (Laguna Niguel, California /USA) on 01/24/2009
★★★★★
Hi, I too have discovered the health benefits of ACV( Organic's ACV - which you can find at most supermarkets). I take it for joint pain, and if I have an acid stomach- or feel bloated--yes, acid on acid nutrilizes. Also, to get to sleep I drink a cup about a 1/2 before bed and read a good book. I don't think you need to have the honey, unless you want it sweet or for a sore throat,or chest congestion- add lemon juice and honey. I take 2 TBSPS in in 8 to 12 oz of hot water and sip slowly-for best results. God Bless
Coconut Oil
Posted by Saysouda (Nashville, Tn) on 10/09/2009
★★★★★
Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for bursitis, joint pain.
I'm 36 yrs old and for 3 yrs I have bursitis on the should area and pain in my wrist. I decided after reading on earthclinic to give VCO a try. In one week I noticed the pain went away and I have more energy. It really really WORKS!
I take a 1 Tablespoon/day. Put in coffee, spread it on toast instead of butter, put some in my soup, add to my pasta sauce. I love the smell. I even use it as a cold cream to clean my face at night. I even give VCO to my dogs and cats and their coats are shiny and soft! I will continue to take this the rest of my life. I love VCO! Thank you earthclinic.
Castor Oil
Posted by K.C. (Portland, Oregon) on 06/25/2007
I had a calcified bursa on my right shoulder that had become so painful that, after six months of physical therapy, it was no better and I was scheduled for cortisone shots. I did not want them because of the immuno-suppressant tendency of cortisone. One night I had the impression to try a castor oil pack on it, just out of the blue. So I did. I wrapped my shoulder and underarm (after washing it) and left the pack on all night. In the morning the problem was 95% better. I did it four more nights and have not had the problem since. About five years now.
Castor Oil
Posted by Meghan (Hanover) on 09/30/2017
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with bursitis in my knee years ago. I have fluid in my knee, too. Mostly it doesn't bother me, but when it does, I massage castor oil into my knee and that always seems to help. If it is really bad I use castor oil on a cloth with plastic wrap and a heating pad at night-time and always feel better by morning.
B Complex
Posted by Mjve04 (Beachside, Fl) on 08/04/2017
★★★★★
I've had bursitis in my hip (occasionally knee or shoulder) since I was 11 or 12. The one thing I've seen really help is a vitamin supplement. I get a sustained release Super B and take it daily as long as I do, I have no problems with the bursitis. If I run out or forget it for a few days, pain starts. Also, if I increase my activity level significantly, I need to increase the Super B for a few days.
Let me know if this helps. It's worked well for me for 50+ years.
Milk of Magnesia
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/03/2016
Dear Edye,
Milk of Magnesia does have a laxative effect and too much could cause diarrhea.
Transdermal magnesium therapy - applying Magnesium Oil (which isn't really an oil) to the skin is a way to get magnesium into the body bypassing the digestive system and allowing the body to get the needed magnesium without affecting the bowels. But, some people do report diarrhea from the use of magnesium oil on the skin.
Whichever way you decide to take magnesium, start slowly and see how it affects you.
Likely it would take a lot more Magnesium Oil to cause a laxative effect than just about any other method.
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kelley (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 06/16/2012
★★★★☆
I am new to the page, just wanted to say thank you so much that it exists, I have been in pain with hip bursitis for several years and can't take advil pain pills etc, and besides all it does is mask the pain, doesn't cure anything. It had gotten so bad that it would actually even wake me from sleep - Now on to the good part - I followed the advice on this page, got the apple cider vinegar, took a couple of table spoons before bed, also drank lots of water with the baking soda and lemon. Was in a lot of pain before I went to bed, but amazingly this morning I have very little bursitis pain (usually I wake up in an extreme amount of pain) although I do still have a lot of muscular pain, (this is the 1st day) I can't believe how quickly this has made a difference.
Cayenne
Posted by Richard (Winston Salem, North Carolina) on 06/23/2008
★★★★★
cayenne pepper rememdies: cayenne pepper foot baths will completely cure bad feet, although if you continue to work on hard floors the cure might need to be repeated every so often. also, cayenne pepper does wonders on hemorrhoids when mixed with an otc ointment (not vaseline). go very light on this one and be ready to wash it off yourself if you cant stand the burning. i've also tried cayenne pepper in a vaseline salve that i made on the cookstove that completely cured the bursitis in my shoulder.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Frankie (Franklin, Louisiana) on 08/10/2007
★★★★★
I am new to using BSM...4 weeks ago had an MRI which showed I had a torn meniscus in the right knee, along with arthritis. Orth doctor said at this time, there is no need for surgery. He recommended I take 500mg of calcium a day to help heal the knee and help the bones. This got me very down because I am very active. I was not going to wait around so a friend in Ca. said how BSM was good for tons of things. I found Earth Clinic and I referred to it several times. I LOVE to research and research. Living in Louisiana, we have many sugar cane mills. I found thru friends a gallon of BSM from the mill. And OH YES.....it is nasty. BUT, every morning I take a Tablespoon right down....no time to play with mixing it in anything. I have been taking BSM for 3 weeks now. This I have noticed and right away. Although active, I was tired everyday......everyday. I ate right but was still tired....NOT ANYMORE......trust me on this one.....I saw the surgeron last week and he commented on how the leg was easy to move and how I was coming along so well. He commented on how I was very up beat and was even losing weight....for some reason I am not hungry all the time. I need to lose some weight to help the knees and I feel that the BSM has come to my rescue....We all know that it takes time for many remedies or meds. to help in various health issues. As I have researched on BSM, it can only benefit you and not harm. My husband began to take it daily also. He has been dealing with hip pain for the last 3 years..bursitus...in the last 3 weeks he has seen a difference. He also has more energy. I will keep you informed of our progress
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Linda (Orlando, FL) on 03/05/2007
★★★★★
On the acv and baking soda page, Katie from Santa Ana was asking about her chronic shoulder pain and what to do. I had a severe rotator cuff injury about 3 years ago. I could not even lift my arm. Initially I took glucosamine and chondroitin, which helped a lot with the healing and the pain. I was taking two pills per day for about 2 years, and then 1 pill a day for the past year. If I stopped taking the glucosamine and condroitin the pain would return. I found this site a few weeks ago and have begun taking molasses with my morning coffee. I read (on a different page) that it helps with inflamation and pain. I have not needed the glucosamine and condroitin ever since!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dinah (PA, CA) on 01/05/2006
★★★★★
Hi, just needed to write to say I suffered from "bursitis" in the hip for a year and a half. Every doctor said the same thing: vicodin for the pain, advil for the inflammation, and prescription muscle relaxers for the accompanying muscle cramps, and several rounds of physical therapy. I certainly couldn't function on the medications, and only seemed to get temporarily, mildly better. I stumbled suddenly had a craving for sauerkraut, if you can believe it, and borscht and homemade salad dressings-all foods that I usually don't like. I am not exaggerating when I say I slept my first night pain free, and started doing the vinegar and honey concoction and simply can't believe I feel so good, so fast! I did increase my water intact, too, to aid in cleansing my body of whatever it had, too. I just used Heinz and Sue Bee and all that pain from mid-back to knees are gone. I even did yoga today which I love but was told it was irritating the bursas-"try swimming." How can I swim while taking vicodin and muscle relaxers?!?!?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brett (Hawaii) on 08/05/2021
No, in fact, vinegar is acidic, but metabolizes down to base compounds/elements. The reason vinegar helps with acid indigestion is because heartburn is often caused by too LOW of acid in the stomach (which inhibits gastric emptying)...by adding acid (vinegar, lemon juice, etc) the Ph of the stomach becomes more acidic and the pyloric valve can open and allow stomach to empty. Food too long in the stomach starts to become gaseous and puts pressure on the cardiac sphincter to the esophagus causing it to open and allow acidic fluid into the throat causing heartburn symptoms...basic A&P.
