Pain Relief and CBD Oil: Easing Joint, Muscle, & Back Pain

Written by Jason Brett — Edited by Cathy Rozyczko on September 24, 2021 — Reviewed by Dr. Rosie Carey, GP

When suffering from chronic pain, it can be difficult to find lasting and effective pain relief that does not have unwelcome side effects. Taking CBD oil for pain can be the perfect solution, especially when you consider how bleak the other options can appear. You can suffer through medications that do not provide enough relief, or, you can take a variety of prescribed pharmaceuticals that can have significant side effects that can further diminish your health and quality of life.

The good news is that there may be a better way. While there is some evidence that cannabis has been used medicinally as early as 400 A.D., it is only now that CBD oil is starting to catch the attention of modern medicine in a significant way.

For our recommendations on which CBD oil products are best for pain relief, check out The Best CBD Oil For Pain: A Buyer's Guide.

Keep in mind, the information presented on this page is intended to serve only as an informational guide – a starting point of reference – and should never be considered medical advice.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two compounds found within the cannabis plant that are showing promise as pain relievers. As the legalization of cannabis continues to spread and as researchers continue to study the plant's therapeutic potential, many of the negative stigmas that have traditionally been associated with cannabis will fall away. The number of people using CBD for pain relief is on the rise, as more and more evidence comes to light proving the benefits of CBD, more people are starting to view it as a viable solution to their pain problems.

How CBD Oil Helps Relieve Pain

Our bodies contain two types of cannabinoid receptors that are aptly namely, cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2). CB1 receptors are found mostly in the brain. The CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are located throughout the body and play a significant role in our immune systems, regulating pain and inflammation. Scientists are still researching the extent of the role of CB2 receptors in immunity, but the evidence so far points to the CB2 receptors playing a major part in the regulation of the body's immunity over a wide range of illnesses.

Research suggests that CBD can bind to some CB2 receptors but it seems that in most instances, the benefits of CBD occur indirectly through the activation of non-cannabinoid receptors.

Glycine receptors, for example, are inhibitory receptors located in the central nervous system that play a major role in the perception of pain. Studies have found that cannabinoids like CBD greatly potentiate these receptors, decreasing the perception of pain, resulting in a promising potential treatment for neuropathic pain.

CBD is able to reduce inflammation in the body by limiting re-uptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine. CBD does this, in part, by inhibiting equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1). By slowing its re-uptake, the amount of adenosine in the brain is increased which in turn impacts the activity of adenosine receptors.  These receptors, particularly the A2A receptor, play a significant role in reducing inflammation throughout the body.

These are just a few examples of the ways CBD oil can impact pain. As research continues, it is likely that we will discover more and more ways that CBD is able to regulate pain.

Why The Status Quo Is Failing

The traditional system of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opiates is failing a large number of people.

When you develop aches or pains, it is common to reach for NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen. They are easily accessible and have long been considered relatively safe. But the chronic, or long term, use of these pain relievers can have a very negative effect on your health. Use of NSAIDs in older adults has been found to increase the risk of peptic ulcers, acute renal failure, and stroke or myocardial infarction.

Opiates are another common pain solution and, unfortunately, they also present a significant number of problems. Opiate medications can be effective at reducing pain symptoms but they are often incredibly strong, causing sedation and a lack of functioning when trying to perform daily activities. A tolerance to opiates can develop over time which means higher and higher doses are required to achieve the same results. Opiates are also very habit forming. It is easy to misuse and overdose on opiates which is one of the reasons that North America is currently in the grip of an opioid crisis, with more than 115 people dying from opiate overdose in the United States every single day.

In contrast, a 2008 review of CBD studies conducted between the late 1980s and 2007 concluded that CBD was effective for pain management with very few side effects. This is good news given the potential dangers that accompany other pain relievers.

CBD oil is the topic of many conversations these days and if you are wondering whether or not CBD oil can help your particular pain, here are a few examples:

CBD Oil For Joint Pain

When people think of cannabis, they often think of the high that is associated with smoking it. That high, however, is produced by psychoactive elements in THC. CBD does not have the same impact.

As mentioned before, CBD can reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation can increase or cause pain, stiffness and discomfort. For people experiencing joint pain related to various types of arthritis, CBD offers hope.

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus impact the immune system which can lead to achy joints. These autoimmune disorders occur, in part, because the immune system is unable to recognise the difference between foreign tissue and the body's own cells and so starts attacking healthy tissue. Cannabinoids like CBD act as immune suppressors, reducing or eliminating this undesired immune response. Current testing and research shows positive results and as more studies are done, we will get a better picture of the ways in which CBD may be able to provide relief.

CBD Oil For Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a common complaint and sufferers often have difficulty in finding relief. Back pain is actually the number one cause of disability the world over. Pain or injury in the back can cause stiffness, immobility, and debilitating nerve pain or damage.

In most cases, back pain is treated with opiate medications and this is where CBD oil can potentially have its greatest benefit. Its pain reducing, anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the reliance on these medications without the negative and harmful side effects.

A recent study of mice with iatrogenic degenerative disc disease found that they experienced improvements in disc pathology after intralesional injection of CBD. While the exact mechanism and reasons for these results are unclear, it is certainly promising. More research needs to be done but this is certainly a good start.

CBD Oil For Muscle Pain and Spasms

We all experience muscle pain, tightness and spasms from time to time. Unfortunately, for some people with certain conditions, like multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, the pain and spasms can be chronic.

A 2012 study out of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that participants given cannabis reported a one third reduction in spasticity and a 50 perfect reduction in pain perception compared to those who received a placebo.

Similar results were found in a 2014 study of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Participants reported a reduction in tremors and involuntary movements after using cannabis.

As with the other chronic conditions mentioned here, more research is needed but early results are certainly exciting, especially for people suffering with previously untreatable, painful conditions.

When to Take CBD Oil for Pain

First, you should not take anything without consulting your physician. While CBD oil is largely safe, a small number of people experience side effects and it could interact with medications you may already be taking like certain antidepressants and antibiotics. Do not be shy about discussing this option: the more open and honest you can be with your doctor, the more they can help you figure out the best path forward if you are considering using CBD oil for pain.

Opiates can make mental functioning difficult, and NSAIDs may harm your stomach or simply not be effective enough. If you have run into the proverbial wall with your treatment plan, it may be time to consider CBD oil.

If you find your current pain management strategy is causing sleep disturbances, loss of appetite or nausea, CBD may be able to help. Sleep and proper nutrition are essential to your body’s natural ability to heal. CBD oil can help stimulate your appetite and promote sleep by reducing pain and anxiety.

How to take CBD Oil For Pain

There are multiple ways to take CBD oil. How you use CBD oil depends on your personal preferences and your specific needs. For example, if you are suffering from joint or muscle pain, using a topical cream may be the most effective format. But you can also take it in capsule form, vape, smokables, transdermal patches, edibles, and drops. You can take it with THC (which may actually boost the anti-inflammatory benefits) or without.

Consider your personal needs and discuss them with your physician. Most doctors don't specialize in helping patients who want to start using CBD for pain. If you have detailed questions about dosage, drug interactions or just want to know what to do next consider consulting with a cannabis doctor.

CBD Oil for Pain Dosage

Because all people are different, there is no one standard dosage of CBD oil for pain. No matter which format you choose for your CBD oil, it is important that you follow the suggested serving sizes.

At CBD Oil Review we have analyzed hundreds of products and come up with a standard serving suggestion:

The CBD Oil Review Serving Standard is 25mg of CBD, taken twice daily.

If you are not getting results from this amount, we recommend increasing the serving size by 25mg every 3-4 weeks until you find relief.

To determine if CBD oil is the best solution for you, continue to do your research and talk to your physician. Together you can examine all the ways in which cannabis may benefit you.

Which is the Best CBD Oil for Pain?

If you’re ready to try CBD oil for pain relief but don’t know where to start or which products to buy, check out our buyer’s guide of The Best CBD Oil For Pain!

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