Can CBD Ease Chronic Back Pain?

Nearly 80 percent of Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. For some, this means localized lower back pain, but for others it’s an overall debilitating pain from neck to waist. While many have turned to prescription pain meds, new research has found that holistic remedies can also offer daily relief from back pain.

More than 264 million workdays have been missed throughout the United States as a result of debilitating back pain. One in three patients has back pain that drastically interferes with daily life, sleep, and the ability to work. In fact, chronic back pain has become the second most common cause of disability among Americans. While several pain medications are prescribed to ease day-to-day pains, a long-term cure for chronic back issues has yet to be discovered.

Understanding chronic back pain

The back is made up of a complex system of ligaments, tendons, disks, muscles, and bones. Intervertebral disks in the back act as shock absorbers to protect the vertebrae. Each part is crucial to overall functioning and can be diminished over time from overuse, neglect, and various injuries.

Most forms of chronic back pain are caused by damage or degeneration of the vital cartilage within the back. Many patients choose to suffer in silence as opposed to seeking treatment or medications. For those seeking alternative healing for their back pain, CBD oil can often offer relief.

Typical aids for back pain

Traditional options for the treatment of chronic back pain include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, injections, and antidepressants, to name a few. These forms of pain management, such as anti-inflammatories and opioids, tend to have short-term relief with long-term side effects.

For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and naproxen are the go-to pain relievers for most professionals treating patients for back pain. Low dosages are also available for minor pain and don’t require a prescription. However, over time, taking NSAIDs can cause damage to the stomach lining, and in some patients, can create an allergic reaction with extended use.

Similarly, opioids such as morphine are typically prescribed when other pain relief medications are ineffective. However, opioids are highly addictive, and should not be used for more than three months at a time. This makes them a less viable option for chronic pain sufferers. Opioids can also cause several side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and immense drowsiness, thus making daily functioning difficult, as well as dangerous.

How CBD can help

Rising in popularity among those with chronic pain is the use of CBD oil products for relief. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the body regulates pain receptors, as well as sleep and other daily functions. When a person takes CBD, deficiencies in the cannabinoids in the body are reversed, thus creating relief from chronic ailments. Essentially, taking CBD aids the body’s natural healing abilities in a holistic manner, without the harm of side effects.

CBD can be taken in numerous forms. For patients with difficulty swallowing traditional tablets, CBD oil can be taken in the form of sublingual drops or salves applied directly to the pained area. CBD is generally sourced without THC, the psychoactive aspect of the cannabis plant, meaning that it does not cause a “high.” Patients often feel relief within two hours.

CBD oil is quickly becoming one of the most effective and preferred methods of pain relief, especially in the area of chronic back pain. Patients choosing to seek alternative, natural relief without risk of harmful side effects or long-term complications lean towards CBD for its holistic properties.