CBD Oil for Back Pain | Why It Might Work

Did you know that according to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is the single leading cause of disability in the world? Almost 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives, but despite its prevalence, finding relief can be daunting.

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A study published by JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that the opiates frequently prescribed by doctors only provide short-term relief for chronic back pain. Patients are susceptible to dependence and addition when opiates are used for longer amounts of time.   

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If you find that back pain is affecting the quality of your daily life, then CBD oil may provide some needed relief without the risk of these dangerous side-effects.  

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Read on to learn all about CBD oil for back pain and whether it's worth a try for you! 

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What is CBD Oil? 

First, it helps to know a little about CBD oil and how it's created. CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's one of the active ingredients in cannabis. On its own, CBD doesn't produce a high like THC, another active ingredient. Because of this, in 2015 the government relaxed its restrictions and legalized it in all 50 states.

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Instead of feeling high, CBD often gives people feelings of calm and relaxation, making it helpful for anxiety. This makes it an attractive ingredient to add to all kinds of products, such as gummies, drinks, lotions, and oils. 

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Since CBD is marketed as a supplement, the FDA doesn't regulate its safety or purity. This means that you'll need to do more of your own research to see which brands and dosages work the best for you. Trial and error are often necessary in order to find the right dosage.

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CBD oil is typically made through the following processes: 

• CO2 extraction

• Liquid solvents

• Oil infusion

• Winterization 

• Distillation

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CO2 extraction is one of the most common was of creating CBD oil. On the other hand, home growers often use the oil infusion method because it doesn't require any extra tools.  

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CBD Oil Dosage for Back Pain  

As you begin your search for CBD oil, one of the most common questions that arise is what the right dosage is. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer. The dosage depends on a number of factors such as: 

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• Your BMI

• Any health conditions

• Health history

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It's important that you speak with your physician before you begin taking CBD, especially if you're already taking other medications. One of the easiest rules of thumb to go by is to start with a low dosage and move upward in small increments until you feel an effect. You'll also want to stick with the same brand and dosage for at least a few weeks in order to fully rule it out. 

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According to a study on chronic pain treatment with CBD, patients had to wait between one to three weeks in order to feel relief. 

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In order to keep track of your dosages, make sure to document everything you can. Take note of when you use the oil, the dosage you're using, and how you feel. After a few weeks, you'll be able to make an informed choice on whether to increase your dosage, change brands, or discontinue use. 

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Benefits of CBD Oil for Back Pain 

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Although there needs to be more studies on the effect of CBD on chronic pain, there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that CBD brings relief to those suffering. Here are a few of the benefits you may be able to enjoy after you find your right dosage: 

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Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

 

People who experience chronic back pain are sometimes prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Although these are effective, long-term use or overdosage can lead to dizziness, high blood pressure, stomach problems, and more.

CBD has known anti-inflammatory properties; plus, it's a natural alternative that doesn't have these symptoms after long-term use.

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CBD is able to reduce inflammation through its ability to inhibit an enzyme called COX2. This is also what NSAID medications do. CBD is also able to affect molecules called cytokines that are involved in the inflammatory response. By reducing the effects of these molecules, CBD is able to reduce inflammation.

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Combating Anxiety

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Anxiety and stress both give us mental anguish as well as affect our bodies. We're capable of holding anxiety in our body throughout the day in the form of clenched jaws, raised shoulders, and a tense back. Over time, this ongoing tension can wreak long-term damage to our bodies.

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The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that CBD is capable of reducing anxiety both in animals as well as humans suffering from social anxiety. It enabled them to move past traumatic memories. In this lens, chronic pain can also be the main cause of tension and anxiety. By helping people relax, CBD can bring relief from this toxic loop. 

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Aiding Sleep

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It's widely known that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night in order to fully function the next day. Moreover, deep sleep enables the body to repair and regenerate. As our bodies enter the deep REM stage of sleep, we produce more growth hormones in order to stimulate cell regeneration. This can help heal your back as well. 

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CBD is known for its deeply relaxing qualities which can help people suffering from insomnia to achieve the sleep they need. If you find that you're kept up at night from racing thoughts, CBD can help give you a sense of relief. 

Even better, CBD can also be effective in reducing feelings of grogginess when you wake up in the morning. 

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How to Use CBD Oil for Back Pain  

The best way to use your oil is to directly consume it. Oil can be a little more complicated than gummies because you'll need to calculate the dosage on your own. The bottle will tell you the dosage of the entire bottle, but it may not give you information on how much CBD is in a droplet.

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Luckily, there are a variety of CBD dosage calculators online that you can utilize. You can also figure this out through some simple math. To calculate the potency, all you need to do is take the milligrams of CBD listed on the bottle and divide that by the bottle size in mL. This will give you the milligrams of CBD per one mL of liquid. 

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Once you're able to measure the number of droplets you'll need accurately, consume them by placing them underneath your tongue. Hold the liquid under your tongue before swallowing. The reason you do this is so that it will absorb quickly into your body. You may begin to feel its effects within 30 minutes. 

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Precautions

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It's important to keep in mind that CBD isn't a miracle cure. Although it's a natural alternative to pain medication, you may still encounter some side-effects such as:

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• Dry mouth

• Change in appetite

• Low blood pressure

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Drowsiness

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It's also important that you speak with your doctor before taking it, as it can have reactions with certain medications like anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antibiotics, beta-blockers, and more. You'll also want to avoid taking CBD if you're pregnant or breastfeeding because there aren't enough studies on its effects.

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Lastly, it's important that you do your research beforehand and only make purchases from trusted sources. Make sure that the company you purchase from is able to offer lab results and documentation on their extraction methods.  

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Easing Your Pain With CBD Oil

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If you've been suffering from chronic back pain, relief may seem like a distant dream. Oftentimes, the generalized pain you feel throughout the day doesn't have a specific cause or location. Fortunately, CBD oil for back pain is uniquely suited to provide full-body benefits that can help bring relief to some of the sources of your pain.

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For instance, if you find that you suffer from anxiety during the day and can't fall asleep at night due to racing thoughts, CBD may be able to help. Its relaxing properties can put your mind at ease and help relax parts of your brain that cling to traumatic memories. 

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Moreover, CBD has known anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to inhibit enzymes and molecules that cause inflammation. CBD can be a better alternative to NSAIDs if you find that you're taking them nearly every day to treat your back pain. 

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Ready to make an investment in your long-term health through a natural alternative? We carry award-winning CBD products that are 100% lab tested. Take a look at our CBD oil tinctures on offer today! 

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