CBD Oil for Arthritis: Managing Pain and Staying Active This Spring

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Disclaimer: The following information has not been approved by the FDA. This information should not be interpreted as medical advice and is not a substitute for a visit with a medical care professional. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns. 

With warm months nearly upon us, the fluctuation in temperatures and the urge to get moving are probably activating a lot of pain in some of us. But arthritis symptoms don’t have to stop you from getting out in the garden, going for a walk, or enjoying those activities you love.

And you certainly don’t have to be in pain, day in, day out. There are a few things that may be able to help reduce your arthritis pain and help improve your mobility.

At the top of our list? CBD oil.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, derived from the hemp plant. These cannabinoids attach to the cannabinoid receptors in our body that are a part of what is called the endocannabinoid system. This system controls mood, sleep, immune activity, appetite, pain sensations, and many other functions within the body. It is through its influence on the endocannabinoid system that we are able to experience benefits from taking CBD.

It’s important to note that pure CBD oil does not contain sufficient amounts of the psychoactive compounds that could result in an affected mental state, or a ‘high’. Pure CBD oil derived from industrial hemp plants, like ours, cannot get you high.

CBD for Arthritis Pain Relief

CBD’s ability to relieve joint pain has been one of the primary reasons that lotions and balms infused with CBD have been developed.

In this study on mice, CBD was administered after onset of clinical symptoms and in two models of arthritis, the treatment effectively blocked progression of arthritis. Clinical improvement was associated with protection of the joints against severe damage, as well as a decreased release of tumor necrosis factor. CBD was equally effective when administered as an injection and orally.

Additional studies in relation to CBD’s ability to curb and relieve pain include:

• This study showing CBD indicates the potential for therapeutic use in chronic pain
• This study showed systemic and intrathecal administration of cannabidiol to significantly suppress chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain — without indication of analgesic tolerance.
• Another study affirms cannabinoids as effective antioxidants and neuroprotectants, especially in relation to age-related and anti-inflammatory conditions.

CBD is also shown to be remarkably safe, with very few and minor side effects. There is also no indication so far that, as with many pharmaceutical pain relief drugs such as opioids, you can build up a tolerance.

Aside from the studies, of course, there are the stories. Testimonies of people who have relieved, diminished, or currently manage pain related to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis are easily found on the internet. We’ve heard plenty of stories in our stores as well. Of course, anecdotal evidence isn’t enough to support medical claims. In fact, because the FDA and DEA refuse/have yet to provide an official stance on CBD oil for medicinal uses, any medical claims of any sort in regard to CBD are technically illegal.

So, we won’t make any. But we do encourage people to discuss the possibilities with their doctors and try it out. The benefits of CBD oil definitely need more research, but we’d suggest you don’t wait to try it for yourself. After all, it’s not uncommon for science to be playing catch-up: the medical community is still arguing over whether or not CBD can be beneficial for epilepsy, despite several decades of studies showing plenty of positive research.

Choosing Your CBD Oil for Arthritis

You can buy CBD oil in our Madison nutrition store in several forms: topical, liquid oral, and softgel pills. Each option has similar benefits, but those may manifest differently depending on your need. And, of course, it’s important to remember that we’re all different. Someone that may not experience significant improvement with a softgel may find great relief with a topical balm.

For dosage instructions, we’d suggest consulting with your doctor or naturopath, stopping by our store to talk with our Wellness Consultants, or contacting the customer support center of whatever brand you choose. CBD oils come in various concentrations and with varying instructions. Too little and you may not feel the benefits. Too much and you may experience side effects such as an upset stomach, dry mouth, or a headache.

Topical Creams and Lotions

CBD oil balms and lotions are one of the best and quickest ways to experience joint pain relief. The cannabinoids in CBD bind to CB2 receptors near the skin, activating the endocannabinoid system and allowing cannabinoids to be absorbed directly into the affected area. This allows for more targeted relief.

In fact, some say that while CBD oil drops or spray only mildly relieved pain (or not at all), the topical balms and ointments produced significant results. If you want to try CBD for arthritis pain relief, we’d suggest starting here.

CBD Oil Drops, Sprays, and Sublingual Tinctures

CBD oil drops and CBD oil sprays are great for quick absorption. Place drops under your tongue or spray into your mouth and hold for up to 30 seconds before swallowing. This allows your body to begin absorbing the cannabinoids and other nutrients in CBD into your bloodstream within minutes.

CBD Oil Softgels

CBD softgels are easy to take and great for daily maintenance. Add these to your daily vitamin regimen, or take them each morning when you wake up and again before bedtime. With softgels, you will probably not experience localized pain relief, but a general diminishing of pain sensations and stiffness. CBD oil softgels are best used for daily health support, general pain relief, and make an excellent pairing with topical CBD lotions that are able to treat localized areas.

Other Supplements and Practices to Help Arthritis Pain

• Curamin. An incredibly powerful antioxidant that can significantly reduce pain and inflammation, Curamin is one of our favorite products to recommend for anyone who’s experiencing pain or inflammation in the body. For arthritis and related conditions, this is the supplement, along with CBD oil, that should be first on your list of supplements to support your body and help relieve arthritis symptoms.
• Joint Vibrance. Joint Vibrance provides nutrients for cells to construct new joint cartilage and to synthesize hyaluronic acid, which helps with joint lubrication. It also contains nutrients that can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care*. By keeping your body balanced, with clear pathways for nerve signals, you can help relieve and prevent arthritic conditions. Chiropractic care can help improve muscle and joint functions and reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Acupuncture can help relieve pain symptoms and bring the body back into balance.

*These alternative therapies are more and more often covered by health insurance (though you should always check with your health coverage provider), making these treatment options more available.

Where Can I Buy CBD Oil in Madison?

Right here! We sell CBD oil products at our Fitchburg nutrition store location and our Sun Prairie nutrition store location.

We’ve been careful to choose incredible sources for our CBD. The brands we sell in our store are made from industrial hemp, are legal in Wisconsin, and pure, clean, and potent. With the recent legality of CBD oil products in many states, lots of subpar CBD oils are riding the wave of popularity. It’s very important to select a pure brand with high potency from a responsible manufacturer, otherwise, you run the risk of purchasing an ineffective or contaminated product.

Risks and Considerations

It’s important to note that the FDA hasn’t approved CBD oil or other forms of cannabinoids for medical use. While lots of studies are being done on this topic, thanks to decreasing legal restrictions, there’s a lot more that we need to learn about this awesome herb.

Much of our recommendations are based on those studies that do currently exist, and from anecdotal evidence and testimonials of CBD fans. However, we remind you that we are not medical professionals, and we always recommend that our customers speak with their primary care physician before starting, stopping, or altering any medications or supplements, such as CBD. This is especially true for those who are on medications for blood pressure, heart disease, or mental health-related pharmaceuticals, or pain management drugs.

Find Your Healthy Place

If you’re looking for help managing your arthritis, we’re happy to help you find solutions. Stop by one of our stores to talk with one of our Wellness Consultants. We’re always here to help you find your healthy place.

Check out our growing library of research studies on CBD oil.

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*Disclaimer: All information and recommendations given on this site, in email correspondence, newsletters or other materials provided by The Healthy Place is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice nor be viewed as a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider. Consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before modifying, stopping, or starting the use of any medications, health programs, diets, and/or supplements, as well as regarding any health concerns you may have. Our statements and information have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As with any health-related program, product, or service, your risks and results may vary. We expressly disclaim responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information provided to you here.”

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