Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has become popular for the treatment of medical conditions in recent times. Scientists have continued to explore all the health benefits of CBD and cannabis as a whole. CBD is a natural medicine with less or no side effects, unlike conventional medicine. Lots of people are beginning to consider CBD products as a replacement for conventional medicine for sciatica.
CBD and Sciatica
This curiosity has led to researchers exploring the impacts of CBD products on Sciatica. The pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD products will go a long way for people coping with Sciatica.
Sciatica can be excruciating and frustrating. The pains and the tingling sensation that patients have to pass through is fast becoming an issue. Some even consider surgery to stop the pains permanently.
Medical practitioners have shifted focus to CBD products for the pains of Sciatica. But how far can CBD products go in relieving a person of Sciatica pains? Let’s do a brief explanation of Sciatica before delving into details.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a painful medical condition that is caused by irritatation, inflammation, pinching and compression of a nerve in the lower back to the leg. It is a nerve pain that emanates from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve which is located in your gluteal area.
The Sciatic nerve is the largest and thickest nerve in the body. It is actually hard to get an injury to the sciatic nerve, the term “Sciatica” is used to describe any pain occurs from the lower back to the leg. The similarity between these injury is that it is caused by an irritation or inflammation from a nerve in the lower back of the body.
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
If you have Sciatica, you are likely to experience the following ;
- Mild or severe pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve which is from the lower back through the hips/buttocks to the leg.
- Muscle weakness in your leg
- Foot numbness in your leg
- Tingling sensation in the leg, foot and toes.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
Risk Factors for Sciatica
You are at an higher risk of Sciatica if you have the following ;
- Aging Factor.
When aging, there’s bound to be changes in your bone tissue, disks, ligament and spine such as herniated disks and bone spurs. These are the major causes of Sciatica.
- Overweight
Excess weight or obesity can increase the stress on your spine. The extra weight gain you carry is what your spine will have to lift. this causes back pain and strains on your nerves.
- Heavy duty jobs.
Any job that requires strenuous activities that lifting heavy loads, driving for a long time e. t. c puts you at a risk of having Sciatica.
- Sitting for a long time.
If you sit at a spot for a long time without doing any activities, you are prone to sciatica.
- Patients with Diabetes.
People living with Diabetes are also at more risk of getting a nerve injury.
- Former Injury
previous Injury to the spine can trigger a nerve injury which could lead to sciatica.
- Lack of strong muscles.
The stronger your muscles, the more support you’ll have at your lower back. The only support for the back is the muscles.
CBD products for the symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica is caused by bone spurs or herniated discs on the sciatic nerve. The only complete and permanent treatment is surgery . However CBD products can help alleviate the symptoms of Sciatica. The major symptom of Sciatica which is pain
Pain Relief
Sciatica has two types of pains; Nociceptive and Neuropathic. CBD has shown promises of helping with both pains. The body makes use of its endocannabinoid system to balance the body system . CBD makes use of it’s receptors to help restore natural balance to the body.
- It helps to increase the cannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system in order to effectively relieve pain and inflammation in the body.
- The anti inflammatory properties of CBD also helps to reduce the inflammation cause by Sciatica.
- This would help to manage the Sciatic pain by reducing the pressure put on the Sciatic nerve.
- CBD might also have analgesic properties, it could help to alleviate pain which might eventually speed up recovery and restore you to your normal life.
What kind of CBD Products can be used for Sciatica?
The kind of CBD products used is based on the your preference. Each CBD products work according to usage and level of CBD contained in it. Read instructions on the packaging of the products for dosage and cannabinoids present in it.
- CBD oil and tincture.
It is day to decide how to use CBD oil and tincture for alleviating Sciatic pain. You can easily get the right amount of dosage required because you can measure the quantity to take. After administering orally, it goes straight to the bloodstream and provides relief.
You can also mix it with your drink or food when cooking for use.
- CBD capsules.
For CBD capsules, you don’t need to measure the amount needed, the capsules can just be taken directly and easily.
- CBD topicals.
These include CBD lotions, gels, serum, creams and so on. To use this type of CBD product, you will have to apply directly to that affected area or the parts that are most painful. Though this might not be as fast as other CBD products, it provides a soothing relief and take hours to relief you of the pain.
CBD topicals are advisable to use for Sciatica as it is used directly on the isolated affected area unlike other products that will be used for the whole body.
Conclusion
As much as CBD products does not really have much side effects, there are still a few precautions that need to be taken before using CBD products for Sciatica.
If you are already on a medication, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking CBD. It can interact with the medication and end up with adverse side effects.
In case you are nursing a terminal illness, use of CBD products can affect your treatment, check in with your medical practitioner before use. Though there aren’t enough studies to prove the benefits of CBD products on Sciatica, you can use it to manage the pain for fast relief.
