CBD Lotion for Back Pain: Can it Ease Your Aching Back?

Can CBD lotion help your back pain? This is one of the most common health problems, and it hurts thousands of people every day. Sometimes the pain is so severe that you can’t attend work, go to school, or do household chores. Back pain is usually accompanied by muscle aches and a burning or stinging sensation. This type of pain can persist without treatment. And it can happen because of arthritis, muscle or ligament strain, osteoporosis, and bulging or ruptured disks. Even teens and children may experience back pain due to excess weight, lack of exercise, or improperly lifting heavy objects. Luckily, most back pain will go away with rest and care. Still, many people report that CBD lotion for back pain can help get you through your recovery with a little less discomfort.

Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain usually develops gradually. You may not pay it much attention until it reaches a point where you can’t move, twist, turn, or even walk properly. So if your back pain doesn’t go away easily, it’s likely not acute back pain. Acute back pain may go away within four to six weeks. But chronic back pain lasts for months and sometimes even years. You need prolonged treatment to get rid of this pain once and for all. 

Most people think that a single injury causes chronic back problems. That’s not always the case. Experts believe that several underlying conditions contribute to this type of back pain. Some triggers include muscle deconditioning or muscle atrophy. Also, improper body mechanics or body posture, athletic overuse and aging can be to blame. 

Treatments for Back Pain

Typically, you should see a doctor if you experience chronic back pain. The doctor will examine a few things like your ability to walk, sit, stand, and lift your legs. These assessments can diagnose the severity of your back pain and figure out possible treatment options. The doctor may perform several tests, such as a bone scan, x-ray, CT scan or MRI, and even blood tests.

Most back pain goes away within a month with proper care. The treatment may include a combination of medication and physical therapy. Still, these methods take time to deliver results. You may become impatient while you’re living with the pain. Therefore, you may also want to try a CBD lotion for back pain. It may react with your endocannabinoid receptors to increase your recovery speed. 

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. Many people think that Cannabis sativa means marijuana, and associate CBD with its intoxicating element. However, CBD is not what causes that marijuana high.

That’s because Cannabis sativa contains many compounds, with THC and CBD being the most prevalent. THC is the psychoactive element that makes you high. But CBD doesn’t cause that euphoric feeling. Also, the Cannabis sativa plant has two main varieties: marijuana and hemp. Both contain CBD, but the quantities vary. Hemp contains a high percentage of CBD, while marijuana contains a low percentage of CBD and a high percentage of THC. This means that marijuana is still federally illegal in the US, while hemp is legal.

Effects of CBD

CBD from hemp has various potential health benefits. From anxiety relief to CBD lotion for back pain, users say this chemical compound works wonders for their body. It appears to have anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-acne properties as well.

CBD may also ease aches and pains. It works with your brain’s receptors to manage pain. Studies by the National Institutes of Health suggest that CBD is effective in relieving symptoms of MS pain, spinal cord injuries, muscle pain, chronic back pain, and arthritis. If you have tried various treatments for your back pain that didn’t work, CBD lotion may offer relief. 

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can also help address underlying back pain triggers. That’s one of the reasons why so many people are turning to this alternative option for back pain. 

Where CBD Comes From

Most CBD comes from hemp. Hemp contains the highest percentage of CBD and a very small (legal) percentage of THC. As a result, CBD products contain less than 0.03% of THC, making them safe for everyone. You may often come across terms like hemp extract. It means cannabinoids that came from hemp. Hemp goes through various processing and testing methods to become full-spectrum CBD. Most agree that full-spectrum is the most effective.

Will CBD Get You High

Many people think that CBD and marijuana are the same. They are not. Marijuana is the second species of Cannabis sativa plant. But it contains a significant portion of THC. THC is the psychoactive element that gets you high. CBD doesn’t intoxicate the user. It will not get you high if you take the right doses. And even extremely high doses won’t cause the characteristic marijuana high.

Manufacturers use the latest extraction methods to derive the purest form of CBD. These yield full-spectrum CBD that’s highly effective in dealing with anxiety, pain relief, and insomnia. It will not intoxicate you like THC/marijuana.

CBD Lotion for Back Pain

CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system that impacts various processes, such as sleep, memory, mood, pain relief, and appetite. The endocannabinoid system has three crucial components: enzymes, endocannabinoids, and receptors. Your body has tons of receptors that bind with endocannabinoids. Most importantly, enzymes break down endocannabinoids and help your body function smoothly. 

Your endocannabinoid system has two main receptors: CB1 and CB2. They are present throughout the body. CB1 receptors are crucial for governing pain, appetite, coordination, movement, mood, memory, and other functions. When you apply CBD lotion for back pain topically, the ingredients work with the CB1 and CB2 receptors and send anti-inflammatory signals to your brain. Your brain reacts accordingly and starts reducing the pain perception.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors present in the peripheral nervous system restrict inflammation, thus reducing back pain. As a result, CBD lotion can efficiently manage back pain by working with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. 

Why Use CBD Lotion for Back Pain?

For many people, CBD lotion for back pain is highly effective because of its anti-inflammatory property. Sure, it is unlikely to reduce your chronic back pain overnight. But it certainly can help. Moreover, it is easy to use CBD lotion. You can apply it topically on any area where you feel the pain.

Lotion vs Other Products

Apart from CBD lotion, you will find other CBD products also like capsules, salves, tinctures, and gummies. Although most of them are effective in reducing chronic back pain, CBD lotion is often more appropriate because you can apply it directly. Tinctures and capsules may take time to mix with your bloodstream and start delivering their effects. But CBD lotion may work a bit more quickly. 

You may notice doctors recommending anti-inflammatory lotions and sprays to injured people. Applying them topically can reduce the pain quickly. The same concept applies to CBD. 

Those who suffer from chronic back pain have suffered long enough. Imagine not being able to sleep comfortably for weeks or months. CBD lotion for back pain can provide some relief.