For people living with arthritis, everyday tasks can become arduous because of the chronic pain and joint stiffness associated with the condition. That is why many sufferers look to topical creams and ointments such as specially formulated CBD creams for arthritis to help alleviate the symptoms.
What is Arthritis?
Any condition of the joints can be referred to as arthritis with the most common being osteoarthritis but can also be rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus.
Arthritis is a condition that affects 23 % of Americans with 1 in 4 or 24 million people feeling that the condition limits their lifestyle.
Those who live with arthritis report feeling aching, chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints.
How Can CBD Creams for Arthritis Help?
CBD is a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the hemp and cannabis plants. Cannabinoids interact with the CB2 receptors found in the immune system which are responsible for the regulation of pain throughout the body.
Importantly, CBD contains no psychoactive substances and is non-addictive, unlike many other over-the-counter pain medications.
There are various delivery methods for CBD for pain relief. It can be ingested, inhaled via a vaping device, or applied using a cream.
For people with arthritis, a topical CBD cream is the best method. CBD creams can be applied directly to specific areas of the body, providing targeted pain relief and reducing inflammation on the joints. Some users apply a daily cream while others use high-strength “active” cream for when the pain is at its worse – working out which one is best for you is trial and error, but because CBD is a non-toxic substance you can apply it liberally.
The science behind topical CBD use for arthritis is robust and growing. In a 2016 study in the European Journal of Pain found that CBD cream has the potential to relieve, “arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation without evident side-effects.” Subjects also reported, “reduced joint swelling” and a reduction in pain among other positive factors.
These conclusions were backed up by a separate study by the University of Kentucky who found that “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviors and inflammation.”
It is crucial to make sure that the CBD cream for arthritis you choose has transdermal properties which allow the CBD to penetrate deep into the skin and deliver CBD throughout the troubled area.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by the natural wear and tear joints, Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition. This happens when your immune system works against your own body’s tissue. It is a more severe condition than osteoarthritis as it can affect not just the joints, but the eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and blood vessels.
But like other forms of arthritis, sufferer’s report having sore muscles and joints and studies have shown that CBD can be an effective pain relief while also tackling the root causes of the condition. A study published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine Journal found that because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties it, “may be of use in treating rheumatoid arthritis and the associated pain.”
The most appropriate method of delivery in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis would be a specially formulated transdermal CBD cream for arthritis as this would target the correct areas and work to reduce inflammation in the affected joints.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to treating arthritis with a topical cream or ointment, the best choice is a CBD cream for pain relief. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it one of the best ways to reduce not only the immediate pain but address the causes of it giving users more flexibility in their joints and less pain and a higher quality of life.
