Does CBD Cream Relieve Back Pain
Back pain is quite common. Usually, it is a symptom of a benign health issue that should not worry you. It can be due to pulling a muscle (strain) or medical conditions like sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis, or a slipped disc. However, in rare cases, back pain can indicate a serious issue like an infection or a broken bone.
Fortunately, it usually resolves on its own within a few days. But while it lasts, it can make you miserable. Sometimes you may have to temporarily stop going to the gym, doing yoga, or engaging in a favorite pastime.
Several easy fixes may help alleviate back pain. An ice or heat pack wrapped in a towel may help reduce the pain and swelling. For most people, OTC anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen are a preferred solution. Staying active with some light exercises may also help.
But what about CBD cream? You’ve probably heard about CBD’s numerous benefits; it’s a buzzword in the health and wellness circle of late. Research on CBD is advanced and has yielded some interesting findings with potential implications for pain management.
Key Takeaways
- back pain is usually a benign symptom that resolves on its own within days.
- The emergence of CBD as a potential pharmaceutical agent for back pain is based on its influence on the endocannabinoid system.
- CBD exerts its beneficial effects by targeting multiple receptors within and beyond the endocannabinoid system.
- A growing body of research suggests that CBD may help relieve back pain.
What is CBD Cream
CBD cream is a topical formulation that contains cannabidiol as the primary active ingredient. But what is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, one of the two most studied cannabis compounds to date. Discovered in the 1940s, this cannabis compound is widely appreciated for its potential health benefits due to its broad pharmacological profile.
And with the legalization of hemp, cannabis research can finally take off in earnest. Meanwhile, hawk-eyed entrepreneurs are already capitalizing on CBD’s beneficial effects by integrating it into products like dietary supplements and wellness aids.
CBD cream is one of the popular CBD-based products available today. It is generally intended for external use to address symptoms like localized pain and inflammation and skin conditions like acne.
So, a good quality CBD cream may provide much sought-after relief for that unnerving back pain. But let’s take the bull by the horns and attempt to answer a question most people undoubtedly ask; does CBD work?
back to menu ↑How Does CBD Work in The Human Body
The main target site for cannabinoids is a complex network of receptors, neurotransmitters, and enzymes collectively called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Interestingly, the discovery of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) led researchers to know about the existence of the ECS.
In their research, scientists discovered cannabinoid-like compounds in the ECS that stimulated ECS activity. These were N-arachidonoylethanolamine (or anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Because they are produced in the body, these two are called endocannabinoids.
When these chemical messengers (endocannabinoids) bind to ECS receptors, they trigger wide-ranging physiological and biological responses. Anandamide, for instance, binds to the CB1 receptor to produce feelings of happiness and contentment. For this reason, it is also known as the “bliss molecule.”
Phytocannabinoids like CBD and ∆9-THC can bind to ECS receptors just like endocannabinoids. ∆9-THC, for instance, binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptor, which explains its ability to cause contrasting effects.
On the other hand, CBD preferably binds to the CB2 receptor generally implicated in immune system functions and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, CBD does not bind to the CB1 receptor.
But it can regulate activity at this receptor because it is a CB1 negative allosteric modulator. This means it can influence CB1 agonist molecules like ∆9-THC to produce effects normally not associated with them.
For example, it can neutralize the psychoactive effects of ∆9-THC. Such attributes make CBD an interesting pharmaceutical prospect.
Besides the ECS receptors, CBD can also interact with a diverse collection of non-cannabinoid receptors and ion channels. These receptors are involved in various processes ranging from pain perception, anti-inflammatory responses, mood regulation, sleep, anxiety, etcetera.
Obviously, CBD’s pharmaceutical potential is undoubtedly massive; this explains its soaring popularity.
Does CBD Help with Inflammation in The Body
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities have been the subject of many scientific inquiries. Many of these indicate that this cannabinoid is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Although inflammation is a natural process through which the body self-heals, it can become harmful if unchecked. Luckily, CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a viable option for helping with inflammation in the body.
As a result, CBD is described as a potential treatment agent for inflammatory diseases like arthritis and acne.
Listen to this. In a trial evaluating its efficacy on pain, patients with chronic back pain were treated with a transdermal CBD cream. The results showed that CBD “provided significant symptom and pain relief” for the patients.
Naturally, more research is needed to validate such findings. However, CBD displays promising potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. this is why its use is growing in sports for conditions like muscle soreness and pain.
back to menu ↑How to Use CBD Cream for Back Pain
given the glowing reports of CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it is worth trying for back pain.
But there is a method for using CBD cream to enhance its effectiveness. Start by washing the affected area, ideally with warm water. This unclogs the pores in the skin, making it easy for CBD to penetrate.
Thereafter, apply a small amount of cream to the affected part and massage gently. Massaging helps the skin to absorb the cream. The longer you massage, the better.
Because back pain is usually localized, CBD creams are ideal. Depending on the potency, you should feel the relief effect within minutes.
Inflammation and pain often go hand in hand. Typically, swelling puts pressure on pain sensors in the tissues. This pressure triggers the pain sensors, which relay signals to the brain. These signals are interpreted as pain.
Thanks to its multimodal action mechanism, CBD can reduce inflammation and pain.
back to menu ↑What Types of CBD Balms and Creams Are There
indeed, inflammation can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation is likely to have spread to surrounding areas. This requires a special topical formulation that can penetrate deep into muscle tissue and exert CBD’s healing power.
At Dragon Hemp, we have two types of high-quality CBD balms and creams – Warming and Cooling balms. These are designed to address various types of inflammatory conditions.
Warming Balm
For chronic inflammation, we recommend a Warming CBD balm. There is a chance the inflammation has spread to the surrounding tissues hence the need for a deeply penetrating cream.
Look for a balm containing CBD to deeply penetrate the skin to warm and relax affected muscle tissue.
Cooling Balm
CBD Cooling balms are formulated for acute pain relief. These balms use full-spectrum CBD but can also be enriched with “cold” herbs, like rhubarb and red peony root, to cool inflamed tissue.
back to menu ↑Which Is Better for Back Pain, Hot or Cold Balm
This depends on the intensity of the pain. While both products are designed to address inflammatory pain, the additional herbal ingredients determine where they work best.
The Warming balm is ideal for chronic back pain that might have metastasized because it penetrates deeper and can reach deep-lying tissue.
For acute back pain, the Cooling balm is better because it does not penetrate so deep. Therefore, the healing ingredients are left exactly where they are needed most – at the skin’s surface, where the pain is located.
back to menu ↑How Often Should You Apply CBD Balm
Apply CBD balm to the affected area as needed. Topical CBD does not have the side effects of oral CBD. So there is no reason to worry about using too much CBD.
Naturally, the more pain you feel, the higher the frequency of application. Generally, you can re-apply after every 4-6 hours if necessary.
That said, manufacturers have different application frequencies for their topical CBD products depending on potency. It is always a great idea to stick to the prescribed dosing formula.
back to menu ↑Final Thoughts: Does CBD Cream Help Back Pain
CBD’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic attributes are promising. However, it has not been officially approved by the FDA for use in treating back pain.
CBD is only FDA-approved for treating symptoms of two rare types of childhood epilepsy, i.e., Dravet syndrome and Lewis-Gastaut syndrome.
The increasing use of cannabinoids as ingredients for pharmaceutical drugs like Sativex (nabiximols) attests to their immense medicinal potential. And, as cannabis research expands, CBD may, in the future, be approved for use in other medical cases.
For now, CBD is mostly projected as a potential adjunct treatment for health problems like arthritis, pain, epilepsy, etcetera. However, it does have all the makings of a useful intervention for back pain.
Looking for more CBD content like this? Check out How Long Before Bed Should You Take CBD, and our guide on Can you Take Too Much CBD.
back to menu ↑Where to find CBD Topicals
