- 28 April 2022
- 0 comments
- 3 views
Spinal disorders are becoming a real bane of our times. The pace of life has accelerated considerably, physical work or a sedentary lifestyle, hours spent in front of the computer - this cannot fail to affect the spine. Eventually, back pain becomes so bad that we start to resort to strong painkillers, which are not without their negative effects on our organism. Therefore, if you start to suffer from back pain, it is worth seeing a specialist in the first place. And instead of pharmaceuticals, reach for alternative preparations that are natural and safe, and effective against inflammation and pain, including in the spine.
Causes and symptoms of back and neck pain
In adults, neck and back pain is one of the most common complaints. However, in recent years it is not only mature people who are complaining of chronic pain. Young people are increasingly affected. There are many reasons for this, but the most common is a sedentary lifestyle. Young people spend many hours sitting at school and then sit in front of a computer screen when they return home. The older ones, often converted to working remotely, do not even have the need to leave the house.
You do not have to wait long for the effects. The muscles and vertebrae are overloaded, resulting in degeneration and accompanying pain. Pain is particularly noticeable in the neck and lower back area. It is the cervical and lumbar spine that suffers the most as a result of prolonged poor posture. And the numbness in the neck and neck area, the stiffness and discomfort begin and eventually the pain comes.
What is CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an organic chemical compound that is extracted from the inflorescence of the hemp plant. Unlike THC (cannabis), it does not exhibit any psychoactive properties and is a completely legal substance in Poland. The spectrum of action of CBD is very broad. It can be used both prophylactically and in the treatment of many ailments and diseases, as a natural treatment aid.
Cannabidiol primarily exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. But this is just the beginning. It is good for regulating sleep, helping you fall asleep and making your sleep deep and free of daydreams. It assists patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, those struggling with anxiety, psychosis and depression. Scientists also speak of its antipsychotic, antiemetic (supports cancer patients after chemotherapy) and neuroprotective (protects nerve cells) properties.
There is a wealth of scientific research into the properties of CBD and we will probably hear more than once more about its health-promoting and therapeutic properties. However, in the context of spinal pain, the most relevant properties of the cannabinoid are those of analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
CBD oils for back pain
In the human body, among many systems such as the immune system, the nervous system or the digestive system, for example, there is also the most recently discovered - the endocannabinoid system. It is made up of a number of different receptors, which include the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This system is responsible for many processes in the human body and has the task of keeping them all in balance, or homeostasis. One of the many is the process of feeling pain, including that in the back. Taking CBD causes the activation of receptors that trigger a range of biological responses in the human body. In the case of back pain, CBD binds to the receptors responsible for pain, resulting in a reduction in pain and an improvement in quality of life. It is worth noting here that the use of cannabidiol has no psychoactive effects, is not intoxicating and is not addictive.
CBD oil for inflammation
Spinal pain can also be caused by inflammation. And this is where CBD oil can step in again with its properties, and these anti-inflammatory properties have already been quite well studied and described by scientists. Studies have shown that cannabidiol has an undeniable effect on inflammatory processes. Among other things, it exhibits anti-oxidative stress, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. These unique properties make it an effective tool in the fight against inflammation and also pain, including spinal pain.
And this is because CBD significantly reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the human body, while completely reducing the activation of the STAT1 factor. This factor is one of the main stimulators that cause inflammation in the body. In doing so, CBD has the ability to neutralise the activity of pro-inflammatory gene regulatory pathways. But it does not stop there. Cannabidiol additionally increases the levels of another factor, STAT3, which in turn affects anti-inflammatory events, reducing them.
CBD oil also has an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the increased activity of fatty acid amidohydrolase which directly translates into an increased concentration of the anti-inflammatory anandamide in the body.
So, as you can see, CBD oil actively and in a completely natural way supports the human body in the fight against spinal pain caused by inflammation. And it does so in multiple ways.
Hemp ointment for back pain
Not only CBD oils taken orally is an effective method for combating back pain. Cannabidiol is also well absorbed through the skin, so it is advisable, for example, to apply hemp ointment with CBD when massaging a painful back. CBD ointment combined with a skilfully administered massage, relieves pain, has an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulates circulation and relaxes.
- "HORNS - ACTIVE SUBSTANCES, MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS"; Alicja Horanin, Iwona Bryndal; Wrocław University of Economics, 2017. https://dbc.wroc.pl/Content/41206/PDF/Horanin_Konopie_Substancje_Aktywne_Wlasciwosci_Lecznicze_2017.pdf.
- "Cannabinoids in the treatment of intractable pain"; Ethan B. Russo, 2008. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/
- "Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors"; Wei Xiong, Tanxing Cui, Kejun Cheng et al; 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3371734/?_ga=2.21557371.1957338686.1650988630-1200312956.1646480723
- "Efficacy of cannabis in reducing back pain: a systematic review"; Richard L. Price, 2nd Corresponding author Kaarina V. Charlot, BS, Dr Sven Frieler , Dr Joseph R. Dettori , Dr Rod Oskouian and Dr Jens R. Chapman; 2022. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8907633/