The sciatica pain is caused due to issues with the sciatica nerve, which runs along the lower back and legs. Some of the causes for it are bone spurs in the spine, herniated discs, nerve damage due to trauma, etc. The pain is managed using painkillers and OTC medications, but they are only so effective. So, some people look for alternative treatments that have fewer side effects like using cannabidiol (CBD). Read on to know how CBD can be useful for treating sciatica pain.
What Is Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica pain is a painful sensation that radiates from the sciatic nerve which originates at the lower back and branches into lower parts like the buttocks, hips, and legs. Issues with this nerve cause back pain, hip pain, or leg pain. These symptoms develop only on one side of the body.
The sciatica pain can make the legs and feet feel weak, and this makes regular motion feel more difficult. In most cases this pain is temporary, i.e., it lasts between four to six weeks. However, sometimes, this can last for a long time.
How Can CBD Be Used For Treating The Symptoms Of Sciatica?
Sciatica pain is caused due to inflammation, irritation, or neural tissue compression. This results in both neuropathic and nociceptive pain, and cannabidiol (CBD)can be used for treating them.
CBD for sciatica pain is useful because cannabidiol produces its physiological effects by stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Research has shown that CBD has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and this can be useful for treating sciatica pain. Also, its anti-inflammatory effect may combat the inflammatory response causing sciatica pain. Having said that, you must keep in mind that CBD cannot cure sciatica pain.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using CBD For Sciatica Pain?
Pros:
- CBD is safe even at higher daily doses like 1,500mg.
- It is easy to administer or consume CBD products.
- CBD is legal at the federal level, especially after the US Farm Act of 2018.
Cons:
- There is the risk of CBD interacting with medications.
- CBD may produce mild side effects like fatigue, dry mouth, change in appetite, etc.
These are some of the important points that you must know before using CBD for sciatica pain, and we hope that the details shared above were useful for you.