CBD For Lower Backs - Why It’s Good for Pain & Inflammation
Lower back issues are a common ailment in current society, with causes too many to count, including how much time we drive, sit at a desk, or even from physical activity. While much attention is given to back pain attributed to injury, strain, or unnatural movement (often rereferred to as mechanical back pain) one surprisingly prevalent source is inflammation associated with diseases like arthritis. Unlike mechanically-based aches, inflammatory back pain does not improve with rest or has the potential to reduce over time.
If you are wondering if CBD is good our lower back pain and inflammation, the answer is yes. CBD both dulls pain and serves as an anti-inflammatory, serving dual purposes. Even individuals suffering from mechanical back pain may benefit from CBD, though do not regard it as an alternative to other doctor-prescribed treatments, like physical therapy or surgery.
To say that CBD-infused products are selling like hotcakes is an understatement, with more than half of all users buying it to address pain. Below, we’ll dive deeper into what you should expect from CBD, the preferred application for alleviating your back, and specific products worth trying.
How CBD Works to Help Back Pain and Inflammation
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound found naturally in the cannabis plant. In a nutshell, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping regulate many physiological functions such as pain, sleep, and mood.
What CBD isn’t? Don’t confuse CBD for THC—it won’t produce any psychoactive effects that create a “high.” For this reason, CBD is even safe to administer to children and teens to address lower back pain.
How Does CBD Dull Lower Back Pain Pain?
Whether your low back pain is acute or chronic, it likely interferes with your daily life. Taking CBD for back pain can help dull the agony. Due to its natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system activating the receptors in your central and peripheral nervous systems, which causes a reduction in pain.
CBD also tackles inflammation, one of the primary culprits behind lower back pain. To understand how, it’s important to recognize that inflammation is rooted in the endocannabinoid system which instructs various immune responses. In turn, CBD gently curbs signals to produce molecules that promote inflammation.
What CBD Can and Can’t Do for Lower Back Pain
CBD won’t fix the source of your lower back pain (especially if it’s mechanical), but it can lessen inflammation and sensitivity. So, by this, I mean that although CBD oil can provide relief for your lower back symptoms, it is not going to solve the issue that are causing your pain. It is still a good idea to investigate where the source of your discomfort is coming from in the first place so you can make any necessary lifestyle changes or pursue a treatment plan.
Topical vs. Sublingual CBD - Which is Better for Lower Back Pain?
Two of the main methods for using CBD to help back pain are sublingual and topical use. Sublingual CBD refers to placing a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue and holding it there for several seconds. This allows the ingredients to be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes in the mouth. Although sublingual CBD is helpful for back pain and inflammation, it focuses on the whole body while more immediate relief may be found with topical use.
Topical CBD products can be applied directly to your lower back to be absorbed by the skin, helping relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Topical products include creams, sprays, rollers, and bath bombs, among other options. Another reason why topical CBD is good for lower back pain is that such products often include numbing agents and other ingredients that combat inflammation, resulting in solutions that provide both a near-immediate impact and longer-lasting benefits.
Products With CBD That Can Sooth Lower Back Pain & Inflammation
Harness the power of pain relief with Botanika Life's collection made from plant-based ingredients and potent CBD. Find relief for your low back pain and inflammation with this array of CBD-based pain-relieving products.
Full-spectrum CBD
All of our pain products feature full-spectrum CBD, which contains beneficial terpenes and other compounds that further reinforce the CBD’s capabilities. As a result, tull-spectrum CBD is considered the most potent and effective type of CBD, especially for pain use.
Organically Grown CBD
Make sure to verify that the CBD products you are purchasing come from USDA-certified organic hemp, as is the case for Botanika Life products. Free of chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, using organically grown CBD products assures that you are using safe and effective methods for treating your lower back pain.
The Pain-Relieving Trifecta - Lidocaine, Menthol & CBD
If you are looking for cooling pain relief that kicks in quicker than CBD does, look for ingredients like lidocaine and menthol. Menthol is a chemical found in peppermint and mint plants that causes a cooling sensation, resulting in the nerves on your skin feeling less sensitive to pain. Plus, bonus, menthol is also considered to be an anti-inflammatory. Lidocaine prevents pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings, providing pain relief in the area directly on and surrounding the application.
CBD Pain Relief Options From Botanika Life
There are multiple application options for delivering relief for your lower back. We craft CBD rollers with powerful lidocaine and menthol, muscle rubs, and pain creams to fit a variety of preferences and lifestyle needs.
A bonus to using CBD pain relief for your lower back symptoms is adding cold therapy with a Cryo Massage Roller, which decreases inflammation and lactic acid buildup, as well as assists in muscle recovery.
FAQ About Using CBD for Back Pain & Inflammation
Are there side effects to using tropical pain relief?
Rest assured; CBD is as safe as it gets. There are very seldom side effects, but if you are one of the few people who experience any, try lowering your dosage or applied amount. As is true for any pain product, there is a very small risk of side effects (like drowsiness and dry mouth), but these are extremely rare and there have been no severe side effects reported in connection to topical CBD. To learn more about minimizing the likelihood of such reactions, read Do CBD Creams Have Side Effects?
Can I mix CBD with other pain medications?
The jury is still out on whether it is safe to take CBD with other pain medications such as Tylenol or Advil. There are no studies indicating that it is harmful, so it is a personal choice, but always ere on the side of caution in terms of the amount of each you use. It is important to talk to your doctor about whether CBD is safe to take with any existing prescription medications.
How much CBD should I apply for lower back pain and inflammation?
Good-quality CBD products will always include specific dosage instructions along with a verified third-party ingredient list on the packaging. Follow the instructions when using CBD products, and if you need to work your way up in dosage or occurrence, make sure to do it slowly, and only as needed.
Is it safe to use CBD after surgery?
This is a tricky question. Some say to avoid taking CBD for a few days before and after surgery due to its anticoagulant effect, which could cause excess bleeding and dangerous results. Recent studies indicate the opposite - that CBD can effectively relieve post-operation pain and is a completely safe alternative for post-surgery relief. Working with your doctor on a treatment plan you are both comfortable with is the best course of action in this situation.
Can I add CBD with Massage Creams?
Adding CBD to massage creams is an excellent way to experience full-body relaxation and relief. When topical CBD is applied to the skin, the CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream, assisted by massaging which promotes circulation. With 1500mg of full-spectrum CBD, Botanika Life’s Elite Elixir is the perfect CBD product to mix with massage cream for lower back relief.
By Emily Wegener
With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.
