Can CBD Help With Back Pain?
If you suffer from everyday pain that seemingly can’t be alleviated by over-the-counter pharmaceuticals or chiropractors, have you tried a more natural solution? Now, we know there’s some stigma about “natural” remedies, but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about something that exists in nature and acts as an anti-inflammatory pain reducer: CBD oil. In recent years, studies have shown CBD oil to be a reputable alternative to traditional means of reducing pain, with other benefits like relaxation, improving quality of sleep, and combating anxieties associated with long-term pain.
It’s important to note that CBD is regarded as a full-body treatment rather than one that can pinpoint specific areas of pain, which is why many of the positive side-effects are more generalized.
Backstory of Back Pain
According to the Mayo Clinic’s overview of back pain, it’s a leading cause of disability worldwide and one of the primary reasons people visit a doctor or miss work. Back pain can vary from person to person which is why some means of treatment do not work across the board. For instance, symptoms can include (but are not limited to) muscle aches, shooting pains, stabbing pains, leg pain, pain when bending, lifting, standing, and/or walking, as well as pain that is somewhat relieved with reclining.
Potential Causes of Back Pain
There are a number of pains that can develop “randomly”, or without any sort of cause or inciting incident. Acute back pain is the more common type, as it’s shorter-term, lasting no more than 6 weeks, with anything lasting more than 3 months considered chronic back pain.
Generally, things like strain, posture, movement, and structural problems are causation for back pain, but there are other factors and causes as well (such as cancers, Cauda equina syndrome, infections, sleep disorders, shingles, and more). There are things that are risk factors such as age, obesity, lifestyle, pregnancy, genetics, occupation as well as the following medical conditions, which goes to show how broad the scope of back pain can truly be.
For instance, muscle and ligament strain can be caused by regular heavy lifting or some sort of unnatural, awkward movement. This can eventually lead to muscle spasms and lasting pain.
Additionally, the disks that cushion the bones in your spine could be swelling or ruptured. This can result in nerve pressure and can only be identified during a spine X-Ray. Sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain that travels from the lower back down the leg caused by swelling, bulging, and herniated disks pressing on nerves. Ruptured disks result in even more nerve pressure, therefore resulting in more pain.
Arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, affects the lower back. This can have harrowing results like spinal stenosis, which is when the space around the spinal cord closes in.
Some skeletal irregularities from birth can also result in chronic pain, such as scoliosis (when your spine curves to the side), though this usually appears in middle-aged to older adults.
Conditions like osteoporosis where the bones and vertebrae become brittle make fractures and pain more likely. These medical conditions are most associated with back pain, though more most definitely exist and result in similar discomfort.
CBD for Back Pain
The way something like CBD works with the body is fascinating. It interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is the human body’s regulatory system. CBD enhances the attention of the pain-regulating compound in the brain, anandamide. Anandamide is linked to the feelings of wellness and happiness, so by CBD preventing its absorption, the extra positive molecules are released into the bloodstream, thereby reducing the feeling of pain and discomfort.
This study showed that CBD acts through the TRPV1 receptor, which is the cause of functions like inflammation and pain awareness, concluding that “the nontoxic and nonpsychoactive compound CBD, may represent a useful pharmacological alternative in the treatment of the disease-associated chronic pain.”
Additional studies to consider: ScienceDirect, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, European Journal of Pain, PLOS ONE, Pain, European Journal of Neuroscience, Sumner Burstein.
Types of CBD Products
While there’s no specific product or type of product that only targets back pain, there are a number of different types of CBD products that have different benefits that might work better for certain symptoms.
CBD oil can be used a number of ways and is found in most other CBD products such as creams or sprays. While it can be used alone externally, it can also be taken orally or in a vaporized form, though we suggest sticking to the oil form.
Topical CBD products, such as creams, gels, and sprays, are obviously meant for external use. They are then absorbed by the skin, making them the most adept at targeting a specific area of pain or inflammation.
Additionally, there are edibles such as CBD gummies as well as tinctures (a more concentrated form of liquid than standard CBD oils) on the market for consumers as well.
It should go without question that you should consult with your primary physician about your specific pain before opting for an alternative solution like CBD oil or other CBD products, so talk with them to decide a pain-relieving plan unique to you.
Herbal Mana & CBD for Back Pain
Herbal Mana was founded with the belief that everyone deserves to live pain-free. Nobody should have to constantly worry about getting hurt doing their favorite things or feeling pain afterward, which is why we’ve formulated extra strength, sustainably sourced pain-relieving formulas with the goal to reduce chronic pain and improve quality of life. We’ve spent countless hours researching the benefits of natural substances like CBD and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to name a couple.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to pain, our products are meant to help with that. Check out any of our additional blogs or browse our most popular blends to find a product that helps with your specific and unique needs!