Using CBD Oil for Sciatica Nerve Pain in Athletes

Managing sciatica pain is not easy, and that is where CBD comes in, thanks to its anxiolytic properties, which help relieve pain and relieve muscles. Athletes are the most affected and can utilize CBD through vaping, topical application, edibles, or capsules.   

Individuals are aware that athletes always have a team of medical personnel with them. Their bodies are always under pressure, which can lead to pain in most cases. Whether the pain is short-lived or chronic, they always need some form of pain relief. Athletes are susceptible to several physical conditions which induce aches and pain, such as sciatica. Sciatica is indiscriminative, but it is common in athletes. Besides the great pain it causes the body; sciatica can also interfere with the performance of athletes. Painkillers are often used to deal with these kinds of pain. However, CBD can also come in handy in alleviating sciatica-related pain, and it has no side effects.

What is Sciatica    

The term sciatica is related to the sciatic nerve. According to Shaikh et al. (2020), the sciatica nerve is the greatest in the body by merging 5 nerve roots from the lower spine. This nerve goes through the buttock down the back of the thigh down to the heel and sole. Most people who experience sciatica nerve pain report back pains that emulate the areas where the sciatic nerve passes through.

Sciatica nerve pain is linked to mild pain and muscle aches that often cause a tingling sensation. This pain can lead to absolute immobilization and thus affecting the athlete’s performance. Wei et al. (2021) stated that Sciatica nerve pain could result from several things, but in most cases, it results from a slipped disk in the vertebrae. It is denoted by the disk sticking out of the spinal column and pressing against the sciatic nerve. Sciatica nerve pain can also be caused by acute injuries or strained nerves, especially around where the sciatic nerve passes through. Intense physical activity may bring about sciatic pain, which is why this type of pain is usually prone to athletes due to the strenuous activities they indulge in. If an athlete encounters pain that impacts the lower back, it might likely be sciatica. Learn more about can you mix cbd oil with e-liquid?

Managing sciatica pain with CBD oil 

There are numerous long-established methods of dealing with sciatica pain. Several people integrate physiotherapy, yoga, stretching, and the use of a hot or cold pack in mild cases. However, some still opt for potent painkillers as a more reliable and faster method of dealing with sciatica nerve pain. Ilfeld et al. (2022) stated that Sciatica nerve pain might be severe to the point where one might require surgery. However, in less acute cases, natural alternatives are more popular in alleviating sciatica pain, and CBD oil is one of the alternatives. CBD has been in the limelight lately because of its health and wellness benefits, and one of the well-known benefits is offering pain relief to its users. Learn more about how to take cbd oil drops?

CBD Oil to Alleviate Sciatica pain in Athletes 

Athletes indulge in strenuous activities during training and in their sporting activities. As a result, they are always at the risk of sciatica nerve pain since they push their bodies to the maximum; and sometimes to the point where the body cannot handle it anymore. It makes the athlete experience pain and muscle aches. Athletes are advised to use painkillers such as opioids and NSAIDs to deal with this pain. The downside of these medications is that they can cause side effects like addiction.

CBD hemp oil offers potent pain relief without any adverse side effects that narcotics may bring about. CBD hemp oil can potentially be beneficial in managing pain compared to other forms of treatment such as chiropractic, oxycodone, acupuncture, steroid injections, and physiotherapy. CBD users have ever since reported that CBD provides effective and long-term pain relief. 

How CBD Oil Works to Treat Sciatica Nerve pain in Athletes        

Nothing goes unsaid about CBD and the human body without the mention of the endocannabinoid system. CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid system in the body to provide its effects. The endocannabinoid system, commonly known as ECS, is a biological system in the body that helps regulate and balance important body functions such as homeostasis. According to Muller et al. (2020), CBD is claimed to activate the endocannabinoid system by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors. The endocannabinoid system is linked to the central nervous system, which is affected by injury and is why one feels pain. When the body encounters pain due to injury or chronic overuse, the ECS is impacted, and the body's system is thrown off balance. CBD can reduce pain and return the body's initial balance by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors. CBD can also impact the natural cannabinoids in the bodywork without necessarily activating them. Through this, the body can also provide pain relief through its natural cannabinoids.

Ways of Taking CBD Oil 

There are different ways in which one can utilize CBD oil. The method of CBD intake will depend on the desired effects. The intake method will also influence the effectiveness and the time taken for the effects to kick in.   

Topicals 

It is the main way athletes can utilize CBD, especially for muscle and joint aches. This method deploys the use of balms and creams. 

Vaping  

Vaping utilizes CBD through inhalation. It involves using a special liquid known as vape juice which is heated up into vapor by an electric device known as a vape pen. Through vaping, the effects of CBD reach a peak faster but are short-lived. 

Sublingually

Sublingual intake of CBD involves using tinctures or CBD drops placed under the tongue and then held in the mouth for about one minute to be absorbed in the body. The upside of this method is that it evades the digestive system, so CBD maintains its potency and is more effective; furthermore, the effects of CBD kick in faster.  

Capsules  

Capsules are doses of CBD in tablet form. One can take the capsules or mix them with food to avoid their taste. Capsules are suitable for CBD beginners.

Edibles

Edibles are Cannabis based foods, but in this case, the edibles contain CBD. Edibles are foods cooked or baked with CBD oil, including cakes, gummies, cookies, brownies, and candy. It is the most convenient and discreet method of taking CBD, as you can pop a gummy anywhere you feel like.

Oils 

Using CBD oil in its oil form is more effective than any other method since CBD is more concentrated, potent, and pure in its oil form than when mixed with other substances.  

Conclusion  

The sciatica nerve is the greatest and longest nerve in the body that is linked to the spine and runs down through the thigh to the heel of the foot. Athletes are mostly affected by sciatica nerves due to the exercise they indulge in and the stretching of muscles. Dealing with this pain is not easy, and that is where CBD comes in, thanks to its anxiolytic properties, which help in pain relief and soothing the muscles. There are different methods of taking CBD to deal with Sciatica nerve pain.

References  

Ilfeld, B. M., Plunkett, A., Vijjeswarapu, A. M., Hackworth, R., Dhanjal, S., Turan, A., ... & PAINfRE Investigators. (2022). Secondary outcomes from a multicenter, randomized, randomized, controlled pilot study are percutaneous neuromodulation of the brachial plexus and sciatic nerve for treating acute pain following surgery. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface.

Muller, C., & Reggio, P. H. (2020). An analysis of the putative CBD binding site in the ionotropic cannabinoid receptors. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 14, 615811.

Shaikh, N., & Alam, H. (2020). Effect of Hijama (Wet Cupping Therapy) In Sciatica Pain Management. International Journal of Health Sciences, 6(1), 1-7. 

Wei, F. L., Li, T., Song, Y., Bai, L. Y., Yuan, Y., Zhou, C., ... & Yan, X. (2021). Sciatic herpes zoster suspected of lumbar disc herniation: an infrequent case report and literature review. Frontiers in Surgery, 8, 663740.