The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), also referred to as degenerative joint disease. OA is a chronic condition in which the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing bones to rub against each other. The result is stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

For Sarah Gall, a church organist from a small village in England, the pain caused by her arthritis was debilitating. She was in agony and virtually housebound after developing the condition four years ago. She even had to give up playing the organ. “I was in excruciating pain and became violently ill from the painkillers,” say the 55-year-old from Rochdale.

Now Mrs. Gall is back to living her life to the fullest, which she credits to the use of vinegar. She has even written a short booklet -- One Advance Against Arthritis -- which chronicles how vinegar, regular exercise, Epson Salt baths and a sound diet cured her of crippling arthritis. “Within three months of using cider vinegar, the pain was gone and my life has been transformed. I am in control of my condition now and I am treating myself,” says Mrs. Gall, who takes vinegar four times a day.

However, Dr, Binoj Nair, of the Same Day Doctor Clinic in Manchester, is skeptical. As he says, “If it works for you then great, as long as it's not doing you any harm or interacting with any other medication. It won't work for most people though. There is no particular evidence that anything like this works. The most important thing is that see your doctor and get the lowdown first.”

News Release: Organist's vinegar cure for arthritis www.theboltonnews.co.uk  July 11, 2009