Is CBD Oil Effective for Sciatic Pain?

If you’ve been walking around, clutching your lower back or finding it difficult to stand for even short periods of time, you could be experiencing sciatica. But what is sciatica you ask? It’s pain affecting the back, hip and outer side of your leg caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

So what do you do when you’re facing such unbearable pain that you’re too scared to even sneeze? Research suggests that using Cannabidiol (CBD) can contribute to an overall feeling of relaxation and pain relief. We’re here to break down all the details on how effective CBD oil is for sciatica.

What causes sciatic pain?

Simply put, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and runs down the length of your legs from the lower back. It helps you feel sensations in your legs and feet and also helps you move when you’re running, walking and even standing. 

Pain in the sciatic nerve is usually caused when it gets pinched, compressed or inflamed. People that are more likely to experience sciatica include those that live a sedentary lifestyle, have diabetes, are pregnant or have lower back injuries close to the sciatic nerve. 

You may experience the following symptoms in your back or legs:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Burning sensations
• Sharp or shooting pain
• Tingling sensations

Does CBD help sciatica?

CBD has been studied by medical professionals and researchers alike for decades. Its natural and therapeutic properties have drawn interest as the list of CBD benefits keeps growing. Statistics show that 33% of Americans have used CBD at least once, and the most common reason is for pain management.

CBD likely won’t cure your sciatica, but it will help you manage the symptoms so that they don’t negatively impact your daily life. So if you find yourself in a lot of pain, CBD can help reduce it. Everyone has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) that is responsible for many functions in the body. Two of these functions include pain management and inflammation. The ECS produce natural cannabinoids, much like the ones found in CBD. It is thought that CBD interacts with the ECS in the same way that the natural cannabinoids do, and also helps to boost the activity of the natural cannabinoids. 

It has been well documented in scientific studies that CBD reduces inflammation and as a result, reduces pain. One study, conducted in animals, discovered that topical application of CBD could reduce inflammation while another study conducted in humans noted that CBD was able to reduce the sensation of pain by removing its unpleasantness. 

Because one of the causes of sciatica is inflammation, CBD can help you manage sciatic pain by reducing inflammation in the sciatic nerve.

What is the best way to use CBD for sciatica pain?

CBD can be taken in many forms, but one of the most effective ways is as an oil. A pure CBD oil will have a good concentration of CBD to give you maximum benefit. You can consume a CBD oil orally, add a few drops of it to your food, or apply it topically to the affected area. We would suggest taking the CBD oil orally, by placing a few drops under your tongue, waiting for a few seconds and then swallowing, because it will interact directly with the ECS. 

CBD oils also contain carrier oils that can have added health benefits and quick absorption. For example, the most common carrier oil is a Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) oil which is usually coconut or palm kernel oil and offers added benefits for skin and hair health as well as containing antimicrobial properties. 

Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your food is a good way to get your daily dosage in, especially if you want to disguise the nutty taste of CBD. However, it might take a bit longer to feel the effects of CBD because it will have to pass through the digestive system first before it reaches your ECS. 

You can also find CBD topical creams that you can apply to your lower back to help reduce inflammation and pain. Applying CBD topically, whether you use CBD oil or cream, may not have as much of an effect as taking it orally because sciatica often occurs deep inside the body and the CBD may not be able to reach anywhere near enough to have a full effect.

How long does the effect last?

Typically, CBD should last for a few hours but this doesn’t always have to be the case. Everyone’s ECS functions differently so the effects of CBD may seem to last longer with certain people compared to others. There are also different factors that can come into play, for example, the concentration and dose of CBD. the stronger the concentration and the higher the dose, the longer you’re likely to feel the effects. 

You may also find that different methods of delivery can have different effects. If you take a few drops of CBD oil orally, you may feel the effects for a longer period than if you were to put them in your food. 

It’s best to monitor how you’re feeling with each dose so that you can adjust them accordingly for the best results.

The takeaway

While CBD may not cure your sciatica, it can help you manage the symptoms. CBD is known to reduce inflammation, one of the main causes of sciatic pain. We recommend you add CBD oil to your daily routine to help give yourself a better quality lifestyle. 

Remember to consult a doctor if you are already on any treatments as CBD may have interactions with certain medications.