For the past years, the cannabis plant is used for alleviating different forms of body aches. It was the presence of CBD and other cannabinoid compounds that gave CBD its pain-relieving properties. CBD is now used for alleviating different types of pain ranging from inflammatory to neuropathic pain. In this article, we will take a look at how CBD helps to treat sciatic nerve pain.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica or sciatic nerve pain is a severe pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. The pain mainly affects your lower back, hips, buttocks, and each leg. This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve undergoes pressure or becomes agitated. Some people experience severe pain while others only experience dull pain. A herniated disc is one of the major causes of sciatic nerve pain. Other causes are spinal stenosis, diabetes, and pelvic injury, etc. The risk factors of sciatica include age, obesity, certain jobs, and lack of movement, etc. It is usually recommended to do regular exercise or yoga for preventing sciatic nerve pain.
CBD For Sciatica
We have already discussed that sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and pelvic injury, etc. Therefore, CBD cannot cure sciatica; it can only provide relief from the pain and inflammation. CBD can alleviate the neuropathic and nociceptive pain created by sciatica. CBD works by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors present in the endocannabinoid system of our body, which is responsible for regulating many body functions including pain perception and inflammation. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are very helpful in managing the neuropathic pain caused by sciatica. When the inflammation is reduced, you will get relief from pain and numbness. A recent study has found that CBD could reduce the enzyme levels in your blood that usually go up during inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
How To Use CBD For Sciatica?
CBD tinctures and CBD topicals are the two best ways to use CBD for treating sciatica. The use of CBD tincture will give you faster relief from pain. Place a few drops of CBD oils under your tongue and hold it for about one minute before swallowing. The CBD will enter your bloodstream quickly and you will experience pain relief within minutes. Topical CBD products like CBD creams, CBD lotions, or CBD balms are mainly used for localized pain relief. CBD topicals will be able to provide pain relief for about 2 hours. However, they are not ideal for getting long-lasting relief from pain.
