Spinal Pain

CBD for Spinal Pain

80% of Americans will have lower back pain at least once in their life, and for millions the pain will be chronic.

Affecting men and women equally, back pain could be caused by picking up something too heavy or in the wrong way, to experiencing a spinal cord injury. Constant back pain may develop over time and range from a dull ache to a stabbing pain.
Chronic back pain is categorized as pain in the upper, middle or lower back that lasts for more than 12 weeks. Treatments vary. Surgery is a last resort and it is generally only recommended when there is grave and ongoing nerve damage or structural changes in the tissue or bone.
The number one cause of chronic back pain, other than direct spinal injury, is believed to be the degeneration of intervertebral discs. These cartilage discs are located between each vertebra in the spinal cord. Their purpose is to improve spinal mobility. The main cause of degeneration is still unknown but contributing factors are aging and inflammation, a lack of essential sugars and water, and oxygen deficiency.

It has been reported by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies that 100 million Americans (or 25%) live with chronic back pain.
The most common relief for back pain and injury is the use of medications. Anti-inflammatory drugs as simple as Ibuprofen to Voltaren and Valium are prescribed for relief. These are commonly called NSAIDs. For inflammatory conditions or any other muscle or nerve pain, NSAIDs are considered to be the most effective treatment. But they come with their own set of side effects. In high doses they are known to cause gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach ulcers, cramps and constipation. Heavier drugs may lead to dependency and drug abuse.
Other traditional treatments include chiropractic manipulation and alignment techniques, nerve or nerve root blocks, traction relief like braces, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and acupuncture. There are also topical analgesics designed to help dull the pain and provide either warming or cooling relief.

How CBD Works To Relieve Spinal Pain

Preliminary studies suggest that CBD can be effectively used in pain management. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound; it does not contain THC, the compound associated with a “high” effect. Scientists have established that CBD has neuroprotective effects on brain and spine injuries. CBD affects specific brain receptors directly that transfer pain signals.
Shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory, CBD could lower the stress to the spinal cord. If you are taking large amounts of Ibuprofen with little results, CBD is proven to be 60 to 100 percent more effective than Ibuprofen without all the health risks. If you are taking 800mg of Ibuprofen, the same results may be accomplished with just a 15mg dose of CBD.

Dosing Thoughts

Research studies have used doses from 15mg to as high as 600mg. Typical CBD supplements provide 20mg to 25mg. When taking CBD for inflammation, dosing can vary widely depending on the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing. One goal to consider is to use CBD to supplement or possibly replace pharmaceuticals you might be taking. CBD is an all-natural alternative that does not build up in your system and cannot be overdosed.

May we suggest trying one of our CUBED Hemp based CBD Tinctures. Available in 1200mg or 3600mg concentrations, mixed with our exclusive Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy or NYS-sourced sunflower seed oil. Our Graduated Sprayer makes it simple to dose properly.

It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement program. Most prescribed medications cannot and should not be stopped all at once.

It has been suggested to start with a dose of 10mg to 15mg of CBD twice a day. After a few days, you may want to reduce prescribed meds incrementally while increasing your CBD dosage the following day. Steps of 10mg are suggested to help monitor changes. Monitor your symptoms; be aware of how you feel. Don’t hurry the process. Wait 2 to 3 days between changes. This will allow you to determine the dosing that your body requires to meet your goals, while documenting how your medications interact.

You may also want to use our topical CBD products which are applied directly to painful joints and muscles.

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this post is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.