CBD for Arthritis Relief
Arthritis can be a real pain in the neck. And the wrists. And the fingers. And the knees. The unfortunate reality of arthritis is that joint pain is a regular presence in the lives of those afflicted by this disease. Although there are a variety of treatment options, there is no medical cure for arthritis, so coming up with safe, healthy, and effective plans for reducing and managing arthritis pain is important. For anyone who suffers from arthritis, it is important to work with a physician to lay out a plan to treat the symptoms, and part of that plan just might be the anti-inflammatory and pain reducing qualities of CBD. CBD has a variety of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory qualities and pain relief. So, let’s take a closer look at how CBD could be a safe and healthy way to manage arthritis.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis, put very simply, is inflammation of the joints. This inflammation can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. There are a variety of causes for this joint inflammation, from general wear and tear to underlying diseases. Typically, there are three main kinds of arthritis that people may suffer from.
This is the most common type of arthritis, and it is caused be overuse of joints. The joints that are most vulnerable to osteoarthritis are those that bear large amounts of weight, like knees, hips, feet, and the spine. Because it is caused be wear and tear, it is typically seen in older individuals but can also be seen in people who suffer joint injuries, those with occupations that stress the affected joints, or people with weight problems.
Rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis because its main cause is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are a type of illness where the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking its own body. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, these attacks are typically focused on the tissues of the knuckles, hands, wrists, and knees but in more severe cases can even affect organ tissues like the eyes, lungs, and heart. These autoimmune attacks can cause such severe swelling and pain that even simple tasks can become too painful to perform. To make matters worse, doctors are still not clear on what causes rheumatoid arthritis, although some belief it can be caused previous viruses or infections or even certain chemical presences in the body. The upside is that early and active treatment, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be reduced and managed, and sometimes can even go into remission completely.
Psoriatic arthritis is joint swelling that results from the underlying disease of psoriasis. Psoriasis is an immune system disease that causes skin cells to replicate at too high of a rate, resulting in scaly red patches of skin that can itch and burn. Approximately one third of people with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes painful swelling of the joints particularly in the knuckles of the fingers and the toes. This type of arthritis typically affects people between the ages of 30 and 50.
Treating Arthritis
Because arthritis is not curable, developing a treatment plan is important so that the negative symptoms like pain and swelling can be reduced and managed as effectively as possible. If arthritis is having a negative impact on your life, it is important to consult a physician. Depending on the type of arthritis you’re dealing with, treatment options can vary. These treatments include
- Oral pain relievers
- Topical pain relievers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
Unfortunately, persistent and prolonged use of medications like oral pain relievers and NSAIDs can also have significant negative side-effects, like stomach irritation, ulcers, liver and kidney damage, and even heart failure.
Adding CBD to your treatment plan can help reduce the dependency you have on these types of pain relievers, and thus reduce the likelihood of experiencing these adverse effects. So let’s learn a little more about the therapeutic effects of CBD.
CBD and Pain Relief
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that is extracted from hemp and interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). What do all those big words mean? Essentially this. Your body has a system of receptors (ECS) designed to interact with these chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. There are many different types of cannabinoids, and they occur naturally in various plants as well as are naturally produced within the human body. When the system gets off balance, taking CBD products can help right the ship and provide a variety of therapeutic effects. If you want a more in-depth explanation, you can learn all about CBD and your ECS here.
We already established that arthritis is inflammation in the joints that causes pain and swelling. Your skin, bones, and connective tissues all have ECS receptors in them known as C1 and C2 receptors. High-quality CBD derived from reputable sources has been established to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as pain relieving properties by interacting with these receptors at the problem areas. Application of CBD products can provide a safer, more natural relief of the negative symptoms of arthritis than that provided solely by more traditional medications. We even have advice for making sure that your selected CBD treatment is working for you here.
Green Roads and The Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those who suffer from arthritis by providing resources, access to care, funding research, and advancing the science and treatment of the disease. They recently announced that they would be teaming up with Green Roads, a leading CBD wellness brand to champion research into how CBD can be utilized to best help those with arthritis pain.
The Arthritis Foundation’s Vice President of Development and Community, Katie Bobin, said of their relationship with Green Roads, “We know arthritis relief is personal for Green Roads. Their support will help fuel the fight to conquer arthritis through the scientific advancements, advocacy, patient education, and community of support and connections the Arthritis Foundation is known for.”
Arthritis relief is indeed personal for Green Roads. One of their employees, Steve Michaels, has suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis for years. “I joined Green Roads in 2018 because of the impact this brand had already had on my life,” Michaels said. “It’s an incredible moment for me to be able to help my arthritis community.”
The Arthritis Foundation has sponsored a new product that Steve Michaels helped develop at Green Roads, the Green Roads Arthritis Pain Relief Roll-On. It is an over-the-counter roll developed by a team of pharmacists, and it combines 1500 milligrams of CBD with natural ingredients like camphor and menthol that are known to provide arthritis relief. This revolutionary new product can be purchased here at The Green Dragon CBD to help any looking for additional support in their battle against arthritis.
Wrapping it all Up
Living life with arthritis can be frustrating and painful but, with the right plan and the right tools, the burden can be lifted. Educating yourself, consulting a trusted physician, and creating a plan are important steps in reducing the impact of arthritis symptoms. Adding CBD to your treatment plan is a great, natural way to live pain free.
No. CBD is not psychoactive and you won't feel high from taking CBD products.
CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found naturally in plants like hemp. CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your ECS helps to maintain healthy functioning of your nervous system, organs, immune system, and more.
CBD cannot stand alone in curing your ailments, but can definitely help reduce painful symptoms. Talk to your doctor for your personal treatment plans.
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce swelling in joints as well as pain relieving qualities that can naturally ease pain caused by arthritis.
