CBD Oils for Sciatica

The sciatic nerve covers a really vast and sensitive area in the body, which runs through the lower back to the legs. It can produce excruciating pain when pushed too hard.

The causes of sciatic pain vary from herniated discs to bone spurs in the spine, which might be accompanied by several factors like, passive lifestyle, advanced age, diabetes and obesity.

Typically, the pain occurs on one side of the body with extremely rare exceptions.

Individuals seeking help with sciatica may not find a lot of success with over-the-counter painkillers.

This is why most of them start looking for alternative treatments like CBD for sciatica.

CBD oils and CBD topicals are the two types of popular cannabidiol-based supplements that are usually picked as complementary therapies for different levels and sources of pain.

Can CBD oil help with the management of sciatic pain?

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about CBD for sciatic pain.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a painful feeling that emits from the sciatic nerve.

This nerve is located in the lower back area of the body and it spreads through the buttocks, hips and down each leg.

Generally, sciatica occurs on one side of the body and it can begin as back pain, hip pain or leg pain. These are all symptoms of sciatica.

However, the pain does not derive from any injury in the hip, leg or back.

It is a result of a compressed sciatic nerve and may be triggered by a herniated disk, a bone spur or spinal stenosis.

How Does CBD Help With this It?

When it comes to pain management, CBD is extremely helpful for sciatica patients.

To understand how does CBD oil help sciatica, you have to understand CBD’s relationship with the ECS (endocannabinoid system).

The ECS is a regulatory network that consists of transmitters and receptors.

These help the body in maintaining internal balance throughout all biological functions including immune communication, brain function, pain perception and so much more.

Also, the performance of the central nervous system is controlled by the ECS.

The three primary components of ECS that help in metabolizing cannabinoids are:

Endocannabinoids
Cannabinoid receptors
Enzymes.

CB1 and CB2 are the two main cannabinoid receptors of ECS:

CB1 receptors – They are the most abundant in the spinal cord, brain and tissues.
CB2 receptors – They occur in the peripheral nervous system and the immune system cells.

Endocannabinoids are the native chemical messengers of the body that bind to cannabinoid receptors and help the ECS in maintaining the body’s internal balance.

However, cannabinoids are not exclusive to humans and they’re also found in plants.

Plant-derived cannabinoids are known as phytocannabinoids and can be found in cannabis (both hemp and marijuana).

When CBD and ECS interact, it indirectly interacts with CB2 or CB1 receptors.

Thanks to this interaction, CBD can manifest its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.

Moreover, CBD oil and its products block the release of glutamate that helps in fighting neuropathic pain, which is quite common in sciatica patients.

CBD oil for sciatica released anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the body to ease the nerve pain that most people suffering from this condition experience.

What are the CBD Products for Sciatica?

Shopping for CBD for sciatica can be quite confusing as there are so many products available.

Mainly, the majority of products available are CBD in a carrier oil and the common forms are:

CBD oils;
CBD gummies;
CBD creams, balms and massage oils;
CBD gels and salves;
CBD tinctures;
CBD capsules.

How Should You Use it for Treatment?

The different forms of CBD are used differently. We have explained below how to use each of them:

CBD topical products – Using CBD topical products is quite self-explanatory. If you are using CBD lotions, CBD balms or CBD cream for sciatica, you simply have to rub it like how you would your favorite lotion or moisturizer. Just rub it on the area where you are experiencing pain and wait for a while to allow the effects to kick in. These help to ease localized discomfort.

CBD edibles – CBD edibles like, gummies are known for their simplicity. You just have to eat it.

CBD capsules – You have to swallow the CBD capsules. CBD oils and tinctures – Tinctures and CBD oil for sciatica come in a little dropper vial. Some of them come with measurements on the droppers while others are plain. There’s no need to panic if you do not see measurements. Just know that one drop is equal to 0.05 millimeters and you can also check the label for how to use CBD oil for sciatica.

After you have measured it yourself, you need to tilt your head back and empty the dropper under your tongue. Before swallowing, hold the tincture or oil for 60 – 90 seconds.

CBD oils and tinctures work faster than other forms of CBD because it quickly mixes with the blood and you should feel the effect within fifteen to thirty minutes.

In addition to these, you will also find CBD vapes that are great for people who want fast relief. This CBD form delivers the highest amount of CBD to the body and within minutes after inhalation, the CBD starts to take effect. But, the effects last for only about two to three hours.

Dosage for Sciatica

There is no standardized or approved CBD dosage. When trying to figure out the optimal dosage of CBD for your situation, you can take a look at the dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer or brand of the CBD product.

You will find this information on the product’s label. CBD capsules and CBD-infused gummies are oral products that are usually provided with a pre-measured dose of CBD in every piece.

You don’t have to worry about measuring the dosage and they’re very easy to take it on the go.

However, the effects of these oral CBD products take longer and you may have to wait for 90 minutes to get relief..

On average, you can start with 20 to 40 mg of CBD.

You can slowly increase the dose after you’ve used it for a week and feel that the CBD dose for sciatica needs to be more.

You need to remember here that every person’s body is different. So, you need to find the dosage that works best for you.