Holistic Chronic Pain Management: Natural Therapies and Supplements

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rshafer32 (Ft. Wayne, In) on 01/13/2014
★★★★★

I have been suffering with severe back and neck pain for 3 months. I tried getting chiropractic treatments done and nothing was working. I couldn't really take any pain medicine because I am breastfeeding my infant daughter. I decided 3 days ago to start taking ACV. It was in no way intended for my back/neck pain, it was just for all the health benefits I've heard about, which at the time did not include chronic pain. Since taking it, I've been able to sleep on my sides again and my neck pain is almost gone. I didn't even know ACV helped with that so wasn't expecting these results! AMAZING!!! I am a true believer.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 02/25/2017

Hi again Bonniebee, More on the pain treatment:-

! ) Take powdered Turmeric stirred up in a little water! Boil a cup full of water, let it go off the boil and add a teaspoon of Turmeric. Stir and allow to cool. If you like you can simmer that liquid for a few minutes (say 5 to 10). Allow to cool and you can add a little honey to taste if preferred. Don't boil the honey. Ginger could be included alongside the Turmeric as an extra. Pinch of Sea Salt or Black Pepper also.

2) Castor oil can be rubbed into your sore spots. Use old clothes/sheets/towels though as it is messy (but effective). It's even more effective if used with a hot water bottle as described on this site.

3) An Epsom Salts bath (or foot bath) again as described herein.

4) Serrapeptase (I have not tried this one but it can apparently be combined with an agent to increase absorption). Check it out as I have good reports for this when other treatments failed.

5) Magnesium Chloride for muscle spasms (taken with water). Very effective for that. Maybe spray the Magnesium on the skin and briefly and gently rub over.

6) Celery Juice or Cabbage juice

7) 2 cups Apple juice, 1 cup white Grape juice and half a cup of ACV. Mix up and keep in fridge. Take 2 ozs each day before meals.

8) A smoothie first thing in the morning to set you up. Use mostly vegetables esp. Cauliflower and Broccoli, as well as Carrots, Beetroot and Spinach etc. Less of the fruits as they can contain too much sugar (more than we realize). A few fruits are O.K. of course.

I hope you will choose to try out some of the above and get good results. It would be nice if you would keep us posted on your progress though.

Cheers, Michael

Rubbing Alcohol, Aspirin, Epsom Salt

Posted by Fra-fra (Anonymous) on 07/27/2013
★★★★★

My Chiropractor gave me this tip for pain in muscles and joints. Hey, it works for me. Get a bottle of winter green rubbing alcohol, add 30 asprin and 2 Tablespoons of epsom salts. Let it dissolve and be sure to shake it up each time you spray it on the affected area. I can't take aspirin by mouth, but I can use it topically, and this solution works, and quick.

Arnica

Posted by B From Tx (Lake Kiowa, Texas, USA) on 12/12/2012
★★★★★

For those who have foot pains/leg pains I have been using Arnica cream and the tiny lil Arnica pills (dissolve in mouth), also I am back to drinking Apple cider vinegar too and it helps too.. But the Arnica cream and pills are a quick fix and a great substitute for Advil, Aleve and or Tylenol.. My favorite is the Arnica cream because I take a lot of vitamins by mouth already, but sometimes I do take the lil Arnica pills too.. You can take the lil Arnica pills with the cream also.. Works for me especially at nite and with walking during the day.. I am also on a forced regiment of drinking enough water.. You know as we get older and wiser we tend to loose our tastebuds for thirst so must keep muscles, body, brains ect. hydrated!! Love this earthclinic website!!!!!!!! Hope this helps you too!!

Celery Juice

Posted by Oldriska (Prague, Czech Republic) on 05/10/2012
★★★★★

I've had a chronic pain in my teeth for some time now; had a few surgeries and no improvement so I suspected it may be neuro-related. I searched the net and someone mentioned that celery juice helped them to deal with fibromyalgia/chronic pain. I have been on celery juice for a few days now and it has worked really well for me. I usually juice two to three sticks in the morning (I add an apple or carrots as celery on its own is a bit salty) mix the juice with the pulp and drink or rather eat the mixture. I do the same in the evening. Celery contains all of the "B" vitamins, which are said to be essential in treating the nerve system, that's possibly why my pain is a lot less these days.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dimple (Brighton, East Sussex) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★

Hello you lovely ppl, In pain for the last 2 days.. Couldnt move let alone get a good night sleep. Also in my last yr of Uni so filled with too much work. I found myself being so lazy and sitting around like a zombie.. when I thought maybe there will be a home remedy I should try.

Oh boy, one shot of ACV and magically the pain was gone within seconds!!! What!! I want to thank all you ppl on this website for helping me :) God bless u all xx

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ladyliza (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/11/2011 40 posts

If your son is getting a lot of sore throats and colds, chances are he is deficient in vitamin D3. Next time you take him to the doctor, ask the dr to test for deficiency. (simple blood test) I don't know how old he is but an adult can start on 2000 units/day and work up to 5000. Since I have been on 5000, I haven't gotten so much as a sniffle. (4 yrs ago)

Castor Oil

Posted by Al (Collinsville, IL) on 06/13/2008
★★★★★

Castor Oil & Pain:
Call it what you wish, Voodoo, Witchcraft, "BS", whatever, but it DID work for me. Having recently torn the cartilage in my left knee, simultaneously diagnosed "with a little arthritis" in the same, and swelling behind the knee. My Sport's Ortho said that the swelling was common with the torn cartilage but should go down in time. I began searching on the Web for a magical pain relief remedy (other than my already supplementation of Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondrotin, Taurine, Collagen, HA, Cats Claw, Bromelain, MSM, etc., etc., etc - .all of which I have been taking for years due to 27 yrs of cycling but at almost 68yo, something had to give). One subject that kept surfacing on the Searches was an old time remedy of Castor Oil. I'm not in terrible pain, but it is a 24/7 aggravation, as anyone who has similar discomforts can attest to. I decided to give it a try; purchased a package of ladies' cosmetic, cleansing pads (~3"x4") and a small bottle of Castor Oil (CO), I placed a pad on a saucer, saturated the pad with CO (not dripping) and popped it into the microwave for about 35 secs. I, then placed the (105F) warm pad on my knee; wrapped my knee-pad with plastic wrap (to keep the CO from staining the heating pad) and then applied a heating pad, set to Med. heat. I left it on for about 1 hour and when I removed everything, I did a "test walk" -not only was my knee not stiff, and the swelling was 95% GONE!! I could walk with 100% less discomfort and this was 10x more effective than the Cortisone or three Hydraluronic Acid injections I had received in a two months period. The other nice thing, is that you don't have to throw the saturated pad away; place in a Ziploc bag for the next application and just add a little more CO.

I generally apply this treatment daily, each time the knee feels better - I know it's not going to remedy the situation 100%, but has made my life much better.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Posted by Steve (Victoria BC, Canada) on 12/06/2007
★★★★★

Hi everyone at earthclinic! I am a 60 year male. I found your site after a search for arthritis and natural cures. I started taking the ACV and BS two months ago. It has significantly reduced the pain and swelling between my knuckles. My hips and knee pain are getting better and the food taste better as well. My energy has increased and I am not napping as much. I don't feel as cold anymore and no more shivers in bed. It has also helped my wife with her knees. I can't thank you enough for your wonderful natural cure. I almost got sold on the Swedish joint pain formula but I' found your site and I am now saving my much needed money. Now I am going to start using the H202 inhalation method and I will let you know how that turns out.You are on my 649 list and you can hold me to that.

Ted's Cat's Purr Remedy

Posted by Lisa (Stuarts Draft, VA) on 10/15/2007
★★★★★

There was a terrific posting of a WAV file of a cat's purring that helps in inflammation/pain management. I find that when I listen to this file that I feel great relief from arthritic pain. The problem is that I am only able to play the file while sitting at my computer. I want to make it more mobile-friendly and listen to it while away from home. Is there a way to download this onto my computer as an mp3 file? I could then transfer it to my mp3 player for portability. For those who have not tried this, it has been a great pain reliever.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Posted by Kimberly (Mineral, VA, USA) on 10/08/2007
★★★★★

Hello, I've been using the ACV & Baking Soda since June and have been very please with the results. I went from having NO energy, chronic general joint pain all over, excessive weight and acid reflux to feeling about 75% better with a lot more energy, NO chronic general pain and I have lost 20lbs to date and although my acid reflux isn't gone, at least when it flairs up even with meds, I can now get it under control. I have about 60lbs I would like to still loose. I would like to stop taking my medication for acid reflux, but I think I need to loose some more weight to. I think that in conjunction with the ACV and baking soda would do the trick. I am also on blood pressure medication and would like to see what happens with that to. I have seen a decrease in my blood pressure since starting the ACV. It will be interesting to see if my dr removes me for this medication to. The one thing I was really hoping for with the ACV and baking soda that I haven't seen an improvement in yet is a reduction in my chronic back pain and pinched nerve. I still have to take something for these two when they flair up. I have scoliosis and I guess this will be something I will have to address differently. However, if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to post or e-mail me. Over all I am very very please with the results I've had with the ACV and baking soda. Thanks!

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!!

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Claire (London, UK) on 02/24/2007
★★★★★

This is g8 stuff .I had a big problem with carpal syndrome some nights i could not sleep cause of the pain. Searched on the internet for any ideas came across this site and read reviews. Next day brought some BSM (Black Strap Molasses). Took a tablespoon before i ate every morning and another before i slept. After a few days the pain in my arm was not so severe. Within a month the pain disappeared.Also my husband noticed that i had lost weight. Maybe this was due to taking bsm (black strap molasses) . i continued to take it and in 6 months i have lost 3 stone. I think the bsm stopped my craving for sugar and also i didn't feel hungry.So overall, a wonderful medicine with loads of vitamins and minerals. recommend it to anyone.feel g8, hair is shiny. nails strong and skin glowing. This would be g8 for someone who is pregnant as it has calcium and iron in it.

Ginger Root

Posted by Hugo (E Freetown, MA) on 02/27/2006
★★★★★

I WAS ON A DIET SO I MADE LITE CANDIED GINGER SLICES TO SUPRESS APPETITE. I WAS ALSO SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SCIATICA AND BACK SPASMS. AFTER A WEEK BOTH DISAPPEARED. IT WAS BY ACCIDENT THAT I DISCOVERED THE TOTAL RELIEF OF LOWER BACK PROBLEMS. I AM 64 YRS OLD. I HAVE DISCONTINUED GINGER AND MY BACK HAS BEEN PAIN FREE.

Ginger Root

Posted by Suzanne (USA) on 01/18/2006
★★★★★

I recently sent you feedback about ginger. I have been taking it in capsule form daily now for approximately 2 months. It seems to act as a pain-killer. The relief I get is tremendous and most of the time i am completely pain-free from Arthritis and Osteoporosis of the spine. I recommended it to a friend in the US. Here are his replies in two e-mails.

Shoe or Insole Alignment

Posted by Tiberius (Oklahoma) on 07/29/2025
★★★★★

Shoe or insole alignment or replacement for foot and knee pain.

Didnt really know how to word that title.

TLDR: If you get a random recurring sharp pain in your foot or knee, check your shoes or insoles. If the soles of your shoes are worn unevenly or the insole is setting a bit crooked even slightly, it can cause you to experience random sharp pains in your foot or knee.

This has happened to me at random many times over the years. Here recently it was pretty bad. Happening in my left foot. I'd get a sudden sharp pain in my ankle/foot while walking that would have me almost unable to walk for a few minutes til it calmed down. After a few days of this, I ended up remembering that I had the insoles out of my shoes a day or so before the issue began. I pulled the insoles out, started experimenting with placement by rocking it one way or the other and testing it out, and surprise, a major issue completely resolved. The difference was very subtle. My foot felt completely comfortable in the shoe, looking in the shoe, the placement looked fine. Even when I adjusted it, it didnt really feel different. But it made all the difference in the world for that random sharp pain.

Today, I noticed I was getting a random sharp pain in my knee. As someone that has been dealing with knee pain/inflammation for a long time, I didnt think much of it at first. But just happened to remember that I had to bang my shoes out before work as they were left in an area they might have gotten spiders or other critters in them. Pull my shoes off, adjusted the insole, and the issue is gone. Same story as before, it was a subtle difference, that I didnt notice at all except for the random sharp pain in my knee.

Trigger Points

Posted by Rich (Ellijay ga.) on 07/28/2025
★★★★★

I have frequent attacks and discovered that for every pain location, there is a trigger point to shut the pain down in those areas, within a few minutes of manipulation.
1. If the pain is in my upper molars, I will lay flat in bed, grab the bed post behind me pull into a full extension stretch of my shoulder. I Pull until I feel relief and then hold for about a minute or two. The stretch tends to hit a trigger point in the lower cranial region.

2. If the pain is in my lower molars, I will lay flat with my shoulders at the edge of my bed and head slightly off the bed. Then I twist to my left, the side where I'm experiencing the pain, shifting slightly and holding in the spot where I feel relief from the pain. Then hold that position for a few minutes and release. This too hits a trigger point in the lower cranial region.

I have found the nerve has three branches, each one with its own trigger point.
As for the ear ache…I have only experienced that once, and as yet have not found that one. But I will post it if I do find it.

Avoid Tomatoes

Posted by Farmer (Hometown) on 03/12/2023

Read about the use and effects of copper sulfate when growing tomatoes. It may be the cause.

Lysine

Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 07/20/2021

Thank you, Tessa.

Coconut Oil and Celtic Sea Salt

Posted by Elaine (OK) on 01/22/2021

5 tablespoons

Epsom Salt Soak, Hot and Cold Therapy

Posted by Iowama (Ny) on 11/13/2018

Hi Alex,

I wonder if you could make an appointment with an Orthopedist? You may have a fracture that an x-ray did not make clear. An Ortho would order an MRI to get a better look into the problem. If it is broken, it would not be unusual that you are sensing a difference in the sensation and it would not be all that unusual that you don't know how it happened.

I speak from the experience of having a similar-sounding problem several years ago when my ankle gave me trouble. Our small local hospital did not have an MRI machine, so the doctor simply told me it was not broken. Luckily, my husband advised me to see an Orthopedist, who ordered an MRI, diagnosed the fracture, and put me in the proper boot cast. It healed quickly after that. I hope you will soon find your answer.