Back pain is notorious for being the leading cause of disability in the world. Besides causing discomfort, it can also hinder day-to-day activities, making you bed-ridden.
While other diseases are age-specific, back pain does not discriminate. Anyone at any stage of their life can suffer from it. Experts say that up to 80% of the population will have an episode of back pain during their lives.
With it being such a huge problem, it’s understandable why researchers are trying to find the best intervention therapies for back pain. Among them, CBD appears as a good contender, considering its pain-relieving properties.
Causes of Back Pain
Although back pain is not particular for any age group, the causes can be age-specific. For instance, in older individuals, back pain is normally due to arthritis. Likewise, younger people may have back pain due to poor posture or injury.
Some common causes of back pain include:
- Strained muscles
- Obesity
- Blood clots
- Arthritis
- Irritated joints
- Kidney infections or stones
- Sprained ligaments
In most cases, the pain is short-lived. However, in other instances, it can progress to other regions of the body, lasting for months. As the pain increases, it can make life pretty difficult for the sufferer.
CBD for Back Pain
Previous research showed that natural CBD, such as those supplied by Verma Farm could help relieve pain in patients after surgery. Keeping that in mind, studies to see CBD’s effect on back pain were conducted. Most of them showed promising results. Here are some benefits of CBD for back pain:
Analgesic
If acute, back pain won’t last for more than six weeks. However, if it’s chronic, it can last for months. In that case, the pain manifests as a stabbing or burning sensation in the upper and lower back.
Generally, patients take painkillers for pain relief, but they have a host of side effects. Although helpful at that instant, painkillers can be harmful in the long run. After a while, the body gets used to a specific dosage of the medicine.
Then, the same quantity does not have an effect anymore. As a result, the patient would have to increase the amount, and the cycle continues.
On the other hand, CBD is a natural substance that does not cause addiction. It can alleviate back pain and improve patients’ productivity.
A 2012 research shows that CBD targets the alpha3glycine receptors in the body. These are responsible for pain regulation. Upon interacting with these receptors, the cannabinoids reduce pain.
Another 2015 study showed that CBD lowers glutamate levels in the nervous system. Since glutamate is associated with pain transmission, its inhibition results in pain relief.
Currently, most studies have been conducted in mice. Further research will elucidate if similar results can be safely achieved in humans too.
Anti-Inflammation
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that make it a suitable pain killer. Doctors normally prescribe NSAIDs to patients with back pain. These are anti-inflammatory drugs you can buy without a prescription, too. Some common side effects of these drugs include:
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Blood-thinning
- Stomach burns and ulcers
A study showed that the cannabinoids present in CBD oil suppress inflammation. Plus, they alleviate neuropathic pain by targeting the pain receptors.
Using CBD Oil for Back Pain
Nowadays, you can easily find CBD oil in the market for back pain. Since you don’t need a prescription for it, online order is all it takes to get your hands on the oil.
Now, there are different ways to take CBD oil, and how you choose to administer it depends on your preferences. Firstly, you can simply drink a few drops of oil for pain relief. However, most people do not like the oil’s taste.
Instead, they prefer putting it in their drinks or food to mask the flavour. Alternatively, you can also put a few drops of the oil under your tongue. The region is rich in capillaries that absorb the liquid and transport it to the rest of the body.
Another benefit of taking the oil in this way is immediate absorption. Since the capillaries do most of the work, the oil does not have to go through the digestive system. Instead, it enters the bloodstream directly.
How to Find CBD Oil for Back Pain?
As mentioned earlier, many companies specialize in making CBD oil. However, the FDA has not approved any of these products. Thus, you can’t exactly be sure of their efficacy.
Despite that, the majority of the users report seeing results. When you’re looking for the best CBD oil in the market, be a bit smart with your research.
Since CBD is not regulated, it could be subjected to adulteration. Thus, you have to be careful about where you’re buying the oil from. For instance, Premium Jane is a well-known company that makes CBD oil, topical treatments, and capsules.
If you’re unsure about the reliability, an online review of Premium Jane could be of great help. Plus, you should only buy from companies that back their claims with scientific evidence.
Also, if the taste is unbearable for you, look for flavoured CBD oil. You’ll find lime, lemon, chocolate, mint, and citrus-flavoured CBD oil in most online stores.
A flavouring agent makes it easier to take the oil without gagging. You also won’t have the aftertaste in your mouth the whole day.
Conclusion
Finally, many people are quick to hail CBD oil as a natural alternative to NSAIDs and pain killers. Although effective, CBD oil is still not a regulated product. Therefore, if you intend to use it for pain relief, make sure you’re choosing the best sellers that guarantee unadulterated CBD.
