If you’re one of the millions interested in CBD for chronic back pain, you’re in good company. It’s one of the most commonly searched topics regarding CBD. That’s not surprising if you consider that up to 1/4th of the US population reports experiencing lower-back pain in the last three months. Back pain may come and go due to varying causes, but it’s considered chronic if you experience it regularly for at least three months in a row. Since CBD is widely available and legal on a federal level now in the U.S., it has received a lot of attention for its potential to reduce inflammation and pain. However, you’ll still need to do your own experimentation to find the right doses and the right products to get the results you want.
How Might CBD Potentially Help With Chronic Pain?
CBD, which is short for Cannabidiol, is a compound found in both hemp and marijuana. It’s not the same as THC, which is much more psychoactive and intoxicating. CBD doesn’t make you feel particularly sleepy or change your mood as much as THC, but it still has potential effects to help with chronic back pain. These effects include:
- Overall and targeted pain relief
- Reduction in inflammation and muscle tightness, a concern in many chronic back-pain cases
- Relief from muscle spasms caused by a wide variety of underlying conditions
- Relaxation, which can help you worry less about the pain you’re experiencing
However, there is only limited research into the specific effects of CBD on back pain of various types. Until more research is available, you’ll have to draw your own conclusions through personal experience.
Forms of Chronic Back Pain That Might Respond Best to CBD
While chronic back pain is often lumped into a single category for statistical purposes, hundreds of different conditions can actually cause this symptom. Lower-back pain is the most common type, but upper- and middle-back pain are also chronic symptoms of some conditions. Most forms of back pain could potentially respond to CBD treatment, depending on the specific mechanism of the pain. For example, conditions that lead to cramping, tightness, or muscle tension in the back have the highest chance of responding to CBD. Nerve pain may or may not respond as well to CBD products.
Choosing Forms of CBD for Chronic Back Pain
For the greatest chance of wiping out chronic back pain with a CBD product, consider one that contains THC as well. The combination of THC and CBD offers the greatest amount of pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and similar effects. However, these kinds of products are only available in states where medical or recreational marijuana is legal. If using a CBD-only product for back pain, try a formula that gives you complete control over the dose. Gummies are a good choice if you can find a relatively high-dose product. Some CBD gummies are low-dose only and may require you to eat large numbers to get a dose high enough for chronic back pain. Tinctures and CBD oils are a great choice because of precise dosage on the go, along with the ability to mix into drinks and foods. Topical applications are particularly useful for conditions like chronic lower-back pain, allowing you to apply the CBD right to where you’re feeling the pain.
What to Look for in CBD for Chronic Back Pain
There are a few things to look for in particular to ensure you’re getting a quality product with the best chance of helping your chronic pain. All products containing CBD for chronic back pain should have a full laboratory assay to show the concentration of CBD in the product, along with any residual THC content. Lab testing should also verify no heavy metals or other contaminants present in the product. Make sure you understand the dosing instructions on any products you buy so you can adjust your usage to see how the effects vary.
Can You Take CBD With Other Back Pain Treatments?
While CBD can be a safe alternative to opioids and other pain killers, it can cause complications when combined with other treatments. CBD acts similarly to grapefruit juice in its ability to change how your body absorbs many different medications. Depending on what you’re taking, you may need to take less CBD or change the prescription medication dosage. Talk to your doctor about your current medication use and the potential effects of adding CBD before making any changes. CBD for chronic back pain could be just what you need to get better sleep or have more focus throughout the day. According to multiple studies measuring its ability to treat pain, it’s a natural treatment with relatively few side effects. Give it a try with your doctor’s permission to ensure it won’t interfere with any other treatments you’re currently taking.
