We explore CBD cream for arthritis pain, sciatic pain, nerve pain, low back pain, and more….
In contact sports like rugby, CBD is used by 28% of players. However, it becomes more common with age and increased pain.(Rojas-Valverde, 2021)
An estimated 6 million people in the UK use CBD, showing that CBD is not only good for sports; it can also have potentially tremendous benefits for other people’s joint pain.(Lachenmeier & Diel, 2019)
One of the best CBD products that could aid pain is CBD cream, which can soothe muscle pain and back pain. Especially the fantastic warming CBD muscle balm product that heats your skin.
But does CBD really work for pain relief?
It isn’t exactly a one-sentence answer, so we will cover some of the principles to help inform you and break down the jargon so that you feel more confident when shopping for CBD cream for pain relief.
Ready? Let’s start with the science behind CBD cream for pain.
The Science Behind CBD for Pain
As more businesses move towards investing in the CBD industry and there is an influx of new CBD cream products, it’s essential to know the science behind these products and if they are effective.
CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, comes from the same heritage as marijuana but doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as their relatives, who are very distant cousins. So, let’s make it clear: you are not going to get high from CBD cream.
A critical difference between CBD for pain relief and UK-sold products is that it has to have less than 0.3% THC, which is the chemical component that produces psychoactive effects.
Therefore, CBD oil for pain, CBD gummies and other CBD products are perfectly legal in the UK, as long as you are purchasing from a reputable brand that displays lab tests or certificates of analysis (COA) of their CBD ingredients.
You will find several online and in-person stores selling CBD-infused items, including balms and creams. But not all CBD creams for pain are created equal or give you the best chance to manage your pain. But more on that below.
CBD Cream for Pain UK: Does it work?
CBD cream has gained popularity as a potential treatment for arthritis pain and inflammation.(Pathak et al., 2022)
However, it may also include other healing properties, such as the following:
- Anti-inflammatory properties(Kocot-Kępska et al., 2021)
- Antioxidants that can improve autoimmune illnesses
- Anti-psychotic treatment for depression and anxiety(CBD for Depression: What Are the Benefits? – Healthline, n.d)
- Neuroprotective, which can slow neurological disorders(Silvestro et al., 2020)
To help understand the differences between CBD and marijuana, the former will not get you high; most strains of the latter would. Hemp is the distant cousin of the marijuana strains and is where most CBD or CBD joint cream comes from.
Hemp can also be used to create clothes, bags, strings, and so much more. Hemp is very versatile and incredibly eco-friendly compared to the current materials still used by many large brands.
But if you’re suffering from joint and muscle pain, then CBD cream could be an excellent tool for hopefully limiting your symptoms.
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD balms and creams, many people suggest using CBD for sciatica and other pain conditions, as it looks promising at being able to reduce the swelling that triggers arthritis.
(Muller & Reggio, 2020)
However, to get the most out of these products, it’s important to use CBD cream for pain regularly and with consistency for the best outcomes.
How to Apply CBD Cream for Pain
You can use CBD cream on painful areas such as your knees, shoulders, and back. Ideally, you should apply the cream a couple of times a day in the morning and at night.
But you can use it as much as you’d like if you follow the guidelines on the label.
You should gently massage the cream into the sore areas, which will prompt blood flow and should start to ease your symptoms of arthritis and other pain-related troubles. Ultimately, we are looking to gently massage the cream into the skin so that the natural ingredients can adsorb and enter the bloodstream. This gives the best results possible for easing discomfort, aches, and stiffness.
You should not use any topical on open wounds.
What do the studies tell us about CBD Cream for pain management?
In a carefully constructed safety and efficacy study, twice-daily topical application of 6.2-mg CBD cream yielded significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pain, with a mean visual analogue scale for the pain of 5 at baseline, 5 with a control cream, and 2 with the CBD cream (Bohn, 2023)(What’s New in Hand and Wrist Surgery : JBJS – LWW, n.d)
The study mentioned above demonstrated the effectiveness of CBD cream in reducing pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.
Other Holistic Pain Relief Techniques
However, it’s important to try other techniques to reduce joint pain in a holistic approach to its management, alongside using CBD extract, which combined will have the best effect.
For instance, it’s recommended that you practice stress management techniques when you suffer from chronic pain conditions like arthritis. Typically, the best practices are yoga, meditation, and mindfulness.
If you’re new to holistic pain relief products, it’s essential that you also consider implementing other lifestyle changes to support your overall well-being and health. We have listed some examples below.
As joint pain can be made worse by tension and stress, making an effort to support your stress levels and practicing mindfulness have been shown to limit the side effects of chronic pain.
Exercise: To help ease pain and inflammation
Another vital lifestyle factor that could support you alongside CBD cream is to take part in regular exercise. The main goal is to promote as much blood flow as possible, so moving frequently can ease tension. But ensure you do so gently and within your capabilities, and consult your doctor before starting any new exercise programme if you have a long-term illness.
Maintaining a healthy body weight can also help take pressure off your joints. However, if you’re over-exercising, it can also lead to more inflammation and harm your arthritis or pain condition.
Finding balance and moderate exercise is perfect for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Massaging in a CBD cream in the morning and evening might help you cope with painful muscle tension after exercise.
Acupuncture: To aid arthritis and inflammation
Besides applying CBD cream to swollen areas and sore spots of your body, you should also consider trying alternative medical practices like acupuncture, which has been studied to treat arthritis.
This alternative therapy targets nerve endings and activates receptors that can improve inflammation. Acupuncture is excellent for treating deep tissue problems and is commonly suggested for arthritis patients.
However, massages and general chiropractic activities are also beneficial for joint pain in unison with soothing botanical lotions and balms.
So, how do you pick the correct CBD cream for your needs?
What to Look For in a CBD Cream Pain
No matter what wellness product you buy, you must carefully check the label for ingredients and research the brand.
The first thing to look at is the dosage, as every CBD product will have different levels expressed in mg. It has been shown that you need a sizable dose of CBD in a topical product to have any benefit. Many of the more well-known and marketed CBD products and brands on the market, unfortunately, spend much of their budgets on marketing rather than CBD content and quality ingredients.
This has led to many people not finding a benefit in CBD due to far too small amounts of CBD in their products.
The London Dispensary specialises in botanical products, which are not only plant-based but also contain optimum amounts of CBD to have the best possible effect. For example, their High Strength CBD Cream – Muscles and Joints has been formulated with 1000mg of CBD per 100-ml jar. It also includes botanicals such as arnica, which is another plant that has been said to contain anti-inflammatory properties.
1 Look at Dosage – bigger is sometimes better
When it comes to choosing CBD cream for pain, it is important to look at the potency or strength of the product. Often, CBD doses are written in milligrammes (mg). Ensure it’s a sizable dose for effectiveness, such as 1000mg per 100 ml/g for a topical product. A higher-potency product when it comes to CBD cream is going to support you best. (Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical …, n.d)
2. Ingredients and Testing – complimentary botanicals
The next thing to consider when picking a CBD cream for pain is the ingredients and testing credentials of the product. The ingredients should always be safe and approved. They should also be largely, if not fully, natural and vegan. This helps to ensure those with sensitive skin do not suffer skin irritation, but always patch test first to be sure when starting to use any new skin product or muscle cream.
Parabens, sulphates, and other substances should also not be in the products where possible; these hamper beneficial effects.
There should be no harmful chemicals, which means it should be free of pesticides, heavy metals, and mould. The products should have easy-to-understand markings and information. Furthermore, it is crucial to choose a CBD cream that has undergone third-party testing. This ensures that the product has been tested by an independent laboratory for quality, safety, and potency. A certificate of analysis (COA) should also be available upon request from the brand.
Also, when it comes to additional complementary ingredients, other natural and well-researched botanicals, such as arnica, are a great addition to a CBD cream. Arnica is widely used in medical creams to support pain and inflammatory reduction. (Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica montana in Post-Surgical … – PubMed, n.d)Camphor is another botanical with a solid history of support in this area.
This will help to make sure you buy a clean, safe product that effectively treats your joint pain as successfully as possible.
3. Cost – Cheaper doesn’t always mean better
Of course, the cost will be a factor when choosing a CBD topical for your muscle pain, and there are many options on the market. But not all of them are worth their price, and not all of them are created equal. When considering the cost of a CBD cream, it’s important to keep in mind that price does not always reflect quality.
Look for brands that don’t spend their budget on fancy, planet-harming packaging. But instead, focus on the actual product that you will be putting on your skin. It’s expected that a good-quality product with an effective amount of CBD and other botanicals may look slightly more expensive than a cheap CBD balm on Amazon or eBay, but it will generally be far more effective and helpful for you, and the money will be well spent at the end of the day to help manage your pain.
Generally, CBD cream from Amazon is not going to be the most effective. These are likely not to be from a brand that is focused on quality products that are beneficial and are more likely to be lacking the additional information you can find directly on a brand’s website.
Just remember to research and consider the above elements when picking a CBD cream, but don’t sacrifice the quality for a lower price.
Why CBD Cream Is the Best Option to Manage Your Pain
CBD cream and balms could be the best solution for your own arthritis. There are many other CBD products on the market, so what makes CBD cream for pain management better than the rest?
Compared to CBD products like oil, chocolate, gummies, tea, capsules, and CBD candles, a cream can specifically target a problem area. You can grab your cream and massage it into the target area after a long day or when at your desk at work.
Or, you can take it with you to work and massage it into your hands if you feel the need for some support, as well as focus on your fingers or wrists. A CBD cream is multi-functional and practical; like most CBD topicals, it’s a great starting point for those new to alternative treatments and CBD.
It can go everywhere with you, including on holiday! (check the laws in the destination first!)
Treat Yourself to the Best CBD Cream for Pain
There’s nothing better than buying a product made with care and genuinely created to improve your life. CBD cream is one of those magical products that could and has been a life changer for many who are looking to improve their pain.(Kocot-Kępska et al., 2021)
And you don’t need to look far to find the best products. The London Dispensary offers a high-strength CBD Cream – Muscle and Joints that is eco-conscious, as well as having a huge 1000mg per 100 ml and added botanicals like arnica for a more natural alternative to heavy and hurtful chemical compounds. We trust nature.
Also available is a Warming CBD Muscle balm, perfect for sports lovers and to help with their recovery. As well as a night and day balm set. That nourishes and replenishes skin.
So, treat yourself to some CBD and see the benefits for yourself. Let us know how you get on!
FAQ
Can you use CBD cream for arthritis?
Using CBD Cream for arthritis is one of the most common uses for CBD cream. Some people report a noticeable change in stiffness and pain linked to arthritis when using CBD cream. However, everyone is different so results may vary. To ensure the best possible chance of results. make sure to select a reputable brand, using a high strength volume of CBD in their cream. Looking for additional beneficial botanicals like arnica and camphor are also a plus.
Which type of CBD is best for arthritis pain?
What CBD is best for arthritis pain will depend on the mode of use. Orally it is always best to use a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum oil to benefit from the entourage effect. When looking for a topical CBD product such as a CBD Cream, it is more the volume of CBD that should be the deciding factor. A strong CBD cream of 1000mg or above will ensure the best possible chance to feel a benefit.
What strength of CBD is best for arthritis?
What strength of CBD is best for arthritis will depend on some variables. The type of CBD, always use a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum oil,. The sensitivity to CBD of the individual, their experience of taking CBD, as well as weight, height, diet etc. We however always advice to start low and go slow, start gradually and build up over time slowly while tracking the benefits you feel. When it comes to a topical like a CBD cream however, a higher mg is generally best.
How many mg of CBD cream for arthritis pain?
How many mg of CBD cream for arthritis pain is best answered by first looking at a topical. Topical CBD such as a CBD Cream or CBD Balm are best used for pain when at least 1000mg or higher to give the best chance of success. Mg stands for milligram and is how CBD is measured as a volume in products. For CBD oil, its best to start low and go slow when building up over a number of week to find your optimum dosage for arthritis pain.
How long does CBD cream last?
How long does CBD cream last, depends on a number of variables, such as how often it is used and applied. But a good premium cream of 1000mg of more should last a number of months.
Does CBD reduce inflammation or just pain?
Does CBD reduce inflammation or just pain, well CBD or cannabinol reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as it showing that it inhibits T cell proliferation, as well as induces T cell apoptosis and reduces migration and lastly adhesion of immune cells. What this means in non-science speak it CBD cream and CBD product as a whole have been shown to reduce inflammation in humans. More studies are now underway to understand just how effective it is compared to other chemical manmade products.
How long does it take for CBD to work on arthritis pain?
How long CBD takes to work on arthritis pain, depends on the mode of CBD being administered. For example, CBD oil can get to work within minutes if taken sublingually, CBD cream or other topicals can take slightly longer but the benefit of these products is that you apply them directly to the source of pain, and the additional ingredients complimenting the CBD can also start to work as well.
What is the best method of CBD for pain?
The best method of CBD for pain, is what we call a dual mode method. As oral CBD and topical CBD, work slightly differently, we like to advice they are used in conjunction with each other to give the best chance of feeling a benefit. A good strong CBD cream of 1000mg or above, and a pure broad-spectrum or full-spectrum oral are a great combination.
Does CBD actually stop pain?
CBD actually stopping pain, is going to be very individual, as CBD and its effects are a personal experience. Some people might find total relief, others might feel lesser relief. The only way to find out is to try a good quality CBD product and patiently work up the dosage until an effect is felt.
References
Rojas-Valverde, D. (2021, August 3). Potential Role of Cannabidiol on Sports Recovery: A Narrative Review. https://scite.ai/reports/10.3389/fphys.2021.722550
Lachenmeier, D W., & Diel, P. (2019, December 14). A Warning against the Negligent Use of Cannabidiol in Professional and Amateur Athletes. https://scite.ai/reports/10.3390/sports7120251
Pathak, N., Radford, Z J., Kahan, J B., Grauer, J N., & Rubin, L E. (2022, April 1). Publication Frequency and Google Trends Analysis of Popular Alternative Treatments to Arthritis. https://scite.ai/reports/10.1016/j.artd.2021.12.009
Kocot-Kępska, M., Zajączkowska, R., Mika, J., Kopsky, D J., Wordliczek, J., Dobrogowski, J., & Przeklasa-Muszyńska, A. (2021, March 26). Topical Treatments and Their Molecular/Cellular Mechanisms in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain—Narrative Review. https://scite.ai/reports/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040450
CBD for Depression: What Are the Benefits? – Healthline. (n.d). https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-depression
Silvestro, S., Schepici, G., Bramanti, P., & Mazzon, E. (2020, November 7). Molecular Targets of Cannabidiol in Experimental Models of Neurological Disease. https://scite.ai/reports/10.3390/molecules25215186
Muller, C., & Reggio, P H. (2020, December 9). An Analysis of the Putative CBD Binding Site in the Ionotropic Cannabinoid Receptors. https://scite.ai/reports/10.3389/fncel.2020.615811
What’s New in Hand and Wrist Surgery: JBJS – LWW. (n.d). https://journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/Fulltext/2023/03150/What_s_New_in_Hand_and_Wrist_Surgery.2.aspx
Consensus recommendations on dosing and administration of medical …. (n.d). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8252988/
Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica montana in Post-Surgical … – PubMed. (n.d). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25171757/