Can CBD Help Sciatica Pain? Here’s what we know.

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Sciatica Pain is not a fun thing to have. It is estimated over 3 million cases are reported in the US per year. Treatments that work are constantly being researched and we have a good one for you today! Let’s get started.

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Cannabidiol or CBD helps treat various types of joint pain, muscle pain, and chronic pain. Although CBD can be beneficial in handling these types of pain but can CBD oil also help sciatica as well. Sciatic pain can severely affect someone’s daily life, and the pain can be intolerable. In some cases, the pain can go away on its own without any medical treatment, but in some cases, it needs some medical intervention. There are a few treatments for reducing the pain, but they are not always beneficial. That’s where CBD oil can be helpful.Now the big question arises ” Does CBD oil help sciatica? The answer is YES. CBD can relieve both inflammation and pain by binding with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found in the endocannabinoid system. But keep in mind, although CBD oil can minimize the pain and inflammation, it cannot completely overcome the symptoms of sciatica. As a result, for more effective results, use CBD products along with the standard pain and NSAID treatment.CBD will not work as a standalone treatment for sciatica though it may help mitigate a few symptoms of sciatica. To know the working of CBD and how to incorporate it into your everyday sciatica treatment regimen, Keep Reading.

What is Sciatica

Sciatica is the pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through hips and down both legs. Most often, it affects only one side of the body.
Sciatica illustration
Source: SpineUniverse

Symptoms of Sciatica

The most common symptoms of sciatica are:
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Burning or tingling sensation in the leg
  • Pain in the hips
  • Numbness and difficulty in moving the leg
  • Throbbing pain on one side of the hip
  • Shooting pain making it hard to stand up

Causes of Sciatica Pain

Sciatica occurs due to a herniated disc or bone spur that compresses some part of the nerve, which causes pain and inflammation in the affected area. CBD can temporarily get rid of the sciatic pain, but in some cases, surgery is the best solution. However, the use of CBD can provide you relief from the pain, thus enabling you to carry out your everyday tasks, which you were not able to do because of the sciatic pain. CBD products can be useful in treating other types of pain as well, such as nociceptive and neuropathic pain. However, there is minimal research that can accurately explain how CBD can mitigate the nociceptive and neuropathic pain.

How Does CBD Work

Source: OTO CBD
The CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system sends signals throughout the body. CBD works by binding these receptors, and when CBD attaches to both receptors, then it restores the balance in the body by changing the bad signals into good ones. CBD’s are beneficial in helping the body to heal from the various health issues because it’s primary focus is the treatment of the inflammation. Since it focuses primarily on inflammation management, this is also the principal reason for the recommendation of CBD for treating sciatic pain. However, there is not sufficient analysis to prove how CBD can deal with sciatic pain in the long term. But there is enough data to assure us that the results are promising.

The Sciatic Nerves

Two sciatic nerves run from the spine’s base and down the legs. When both these nerves are functioning correctly, they manage the toes, ankles, feet, and legs. Similar to the other types of pain, sciatic pain also results in inflammation. And, because of this very reason, it is intriguing to see how CBD oil can be beneficial in managing sciatic pain.

Origin Of Sciatic Pain

You may feel a sharp or throbbing pain in your lower back or either leg when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched. Generally, it affects only one leg, but in some cases, it can affect both the legs. There are many reasons for a pinched nerve like diabetes, herniated disc, or bone spur. It can also be due to some conditions that affect the nerves like stenosis or an injury. Physical therapy and regular exercise are useful in relieving the mild pain caused due to a pinched nerve. However, in case there is moderate or severe pain, there can be a need for prescription medication such as anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxers. In some of the cases, there may be a need for surgery too.

Alternative Treatments to Sciatica Pain

Source: Ravinder Singh
The use of cold and hot treatments have shown positive results in people suffering from sciatica, but for some people, CBD has proven to be a far superior alternative. There are many other different treatment options as well like:
  • Yoga
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Chiropractic treatment
In most cases, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatories when you first seek treatment for sciatica. NSAIDs do not eliminate nociceptive pain, whereas the antidepressants can treat neuropathic pain. But when both these drugs are used for a long time, they can cause specific side effects such as liver damage, ulcers, or even heart attacks.CBD can not only reduce inflammation but can also reduce nociceptive and neuropathic pain, without causing any drastic side effects. It does so by working with the body’s endocannabinoid system. However, comprehensive research on the effectiveness of CBD in treating sciatica is still in the initial stages. Furthermore, cannabinoids, like THC, is also being studied for their role in modulating pain. CBD works best when used with some other traditional medications. CBD is mainly for people who prefer herbal home remedies to treat their pain. For some people, the only practical course of treatment is surgery.

CBD’s Role in Sciatica Treatment

Source: Daily CBD
The most widely used cannabinoid is CBD. It can ease several sciatica symptoms like pain and inflammation. However, it cannot cure sciatic pain, herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, or get rid of your arthritis. CBD oil is a more reliable and safer option than using opioids, and it has also lessened the need for stronger pain management alternatives.

CBD Treatment

All the genuine CBD products consist of a natural CBD isolate extracted from hemp without using any harmful chemicals. Some third-party perform specific tests to confirm the overall quality and potency of the oil. It should not contain any traces of THC, thus making the use of CBD oil entirely legal in all the 50 states. Natural carbon dioxide extracts the CBD oil, and if done correctly, the result will be a potent final product consisting of essential vitamins, terpenes, cannabinoids, and fatty acids.Take CBD sublingually for immediate relief. It is done using products like Diamond CBD Full Spectrum MCT Hemp Oil. Place the oil under your tongue for quick reaction time. If done like this, the bloodstream instantly absorbs the oil, providing an immediate effect. It can also be directly applied to affected areas, providing quick relief to the sciatica sufferers.

How CBD Helps Sciatica Pain

Generally, herniated disc or bone spurs cause sciatica pain; therefore, CBD cannot cure sciatic pain forever. In some cases, the best method of getting rid off sciatic pain is surgery. However, using CBD can be beneficial in proving relief from the pain and enable you to get out of your bed to carry out your daily tasks. CBD products can also be handy in treating several types of pain, including nociceptive pain as well as neuropathic pain. However, there is minimal research that can accurately explain how CBD can mitigate the nociceptive and neuropathic pain.

So, how exactly CBD work?

The CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system sends signals throughout the body. CBD works by binding these receptors, and when CBD attaches to both receptors, then it restores the balance in the body by changing the bad signals into good ones. CBD’s are beneficial in helping the body to heal from the various health issues because it’s primary focus is the treatment of the inflammation. Since it focuses primarily on inflammation management, this is also the principal reason for the recommendation of CBD for treating sciatic pain.However, there is not sufficient analysis to prove how CBD can deal with sciatic pain in the long term. But there is enough data to assure us that the results are promising even in the most severe cases. But again, using CBD cannot cure sciatica; instead, it is one of the best options available for pain and inflammation management. In case you are fed up of using prescribed pain killers and are looking for a natural and safer way of treating pain, then CBD oil is the answer.

Consult with Your Physician

If you are thinking of using CBD instead of your prescribed pain medication, then it is crucial to consult your physician before you do so. He will appropriately guide you about the correct dosage of CBD and whether the use of CBD can have any harmful effects on your current medication regimen.Most often, the physicians will recommend using CBD oil sublingually for quick relief, while some may recommend the use of a topical CBD cream. These topical creams or lotions are rubbed directly onto the affected area. These topical creams do not have the same long-lasting effect as the CBD oil. As a matter of fact, their impact reduces significantly after two or three hours. Therefore, you should choose a product having a higher potency if you are going to treat your sciatica with a topical. Some CBD products consist of methanol; therefore, you should immediately wash your hands after application. Rubbing your eyes or any other part of the body can spread the cream if you do not wash your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use CBD for Skin Conditions?

Yes, you can use CBD to treat various skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, etc. It is due to the presence of anti-inflammatory properties in CBD’s, making them helpful in the treatment of skin conditions. Although topical creams and lotions are not as efficient as CBD oil and are useful for only three hours, they are much safer than using the CBD oil. Furthermore, CBD topicals do not cause any undesired side effects like several prescription topicals.

Can I use CBD as an Alternative to Opioids?

Many studies have proven that CBD can be very useful in enhancing the pain-blocking power as compared to the other opioids. As a result, it enables people suffering from sciatica to reduce the daily usage of opioids gradually. With time, the body starts to develop a tolerance for opioids; therefore, they begin to lose their effectiveness with time. As a result, people start taking a higher dosage to manage their pain. However, with CBD, you can continuously reduce the daily dosage of your pain medication and use a safer and non-addictive alternative.

Conclusion

So, we can safely say that CBD can help relieve sciatica pain, but it is not recommended as the standalone treatment. CBD drops are most effective when used in combination with prescribed medications used for treating pain and inflammation. The prescribed medicines and anti-inflammatories can also cause some side effects with time. The use of CBD can reduce the dosage of these pain medications significantly. In fact, CBD is one of the most reliable and most effective treatment options available for people suffering from sciatica without causing any side effects, addiction, and health complications with time. 

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