If you’re someone who struggles with pain in the joints on a regular basis, you may be suffering from arthritis. Arthritis is a surprisingly common condition that affects millions of Americans, and while it’s often associated with the elderly, it can affect people of any age.
Arthritis can be quite detrimental to one’s overall quality of life, as it causes not just chronic pain, but a lack of mobility that can make it difficult to simply get around throughout the day. There are some treatment options for arthritis available, but we’ll be focusing on the most holistic one that’s out there: CBD.
CBD has fascinating properties that make it unique from other plant derivatives, and as you’ll see, the nature of the way in which it interacts with the body makes it absolutely worth trying. But first, let’s take a closer look at what arthritis is and how it’s caused.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the body, and can affect a single joint, multiple joints or just about every joint. The joints are points where two bones meet, and they allow movement to occur. But, they can wear down, which can lead to inflammation that can be extremely painful, and prevent movement from occurring.
My husband has arthritis in his shoulders and has trouble raising his arms over his head. The topical salve has enabled him to raise his arms higher than he has in years.
Arthritis Types
There are two types of arthritis, which we will be explaining below.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint tissue, causing extreme inflammation to occur throughout the body. This is a chronic condition that is caused by an underlying problem with the immune system.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis refers to the degeneration of the cartilage within the joints that protects the bones at the point of connection. This leads to pain and causes inflammation within the joint tissue.
Causes of Arthritis
Now, let’s look at the main causes of arthritis that can impact most people’s day-to-day lives.
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear is inevitable, and occurs due to the overuse of certain joints during one’s lifetime. For instance, we use our knee joints daily to walk, so it’s natural that after a while, those joints will begin to break down.
A Weakened Immune System
Arthritis can develop or become more severe due to a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system will produce a more pronounced inflammation response within the joints, causing symptoms to become potentially severe. Rheumatoid arthritis can be directly caused by a weak immune system, while osteoarthritis can lead to severe inflammation due to an inappropriate inflammation response caused by a weakened immune system.
Being Injured
An injury can physically damage the cartilage of the joints, which causes arthritis to occur as a result.
Age
Age is a common arthritis factor. As we age, our joints begin to wear down, and the body slows down its ability to repair itself.
Stress
Believe it or not, stress can impact arthritis, as stress causes inflammation to take place throughout the body, including the joints.
Genetics
It’s believed that those whose parents had arthritis are more at risk of developing the condition themselves.
Poor Lifestyle Factors
There are certain lifestyle factors that can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis, including overexertion, poor diet and poor posture.
Treatments for Arthritis
So, how is arthritis treated? Well, it depends on the severity of the condition, and the type of arthritis that it is. For example, if a person has arthritis caused by an injury, painkillers may be enough to keep pain at bay when it occurs. For rheumatoid arthritis, specific drugs for autoimmune disorders may be necessary. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to repair the damaged joints.
CBD and Arthritis
Now, let’s talk about the potential relationship between CBD and arthritis. CBD is a plant-based compound that comes from hemp, which is a member of the cannabis family. But hemp is different from marijuana in that it’s not psychoactive, and it’s also federally legal.
CBD is a cannabinoid, which is a class of compounds that are naturally prominent in all cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are highly unique in the way in which they are utilized by the body. Unlike any other type of compound out there, cannabinoids directly support the endocannabinoid system that’s in the body. Taking CBD gives the endocannabinoid system what it needs to regulate important bodily processes that keep us in general good health. The endocannabinoid system sends cannabinoids to cannabinoid receptors found in every area of the body, including the joints. This forces regulatory actions to take place that can do everything from bring down inflammation levels to change the way in which the nerves send pain signals to the brain.
CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, thanks to numerous studies in recent years.
- Study #1: CBD’s effects on arthritis
- Study #2: It seems that CBD may be able to not only help with pain, but also regulate the way in which the immune system manages the inflammatory response.
- Study #3: Interestingly, research has also shown that arthritic dogs found relief after taking CBD daily.
Taking CBD for Arthritis
Now, we can talk about how to take CBD for arthritis specifically so that you can get the most out of your hemp routine. The first thing that you need to do is talk to your doctor. He or she needs to know what you are taking in an attempt to treat a condition, and they may be able to guide you along the process of setting up an effective routine.
It’s also crucial that you go with a CBD company that produces high-quality products and offers lab reports to customers that verify the purity from an unbiased lab facility. Choose a milligram strength that reflects the level of pain that you are in, as higher milligram strengths mean more potency per dose.
Take your CBD daily, as this supports the endocannabinoid system in the most efficient manner. Also, we recommend taking an internal method like a tincture or an edible, along with a topical solution for specific problem areas, on a daily basis.
Final Thoughts
Arthritis is a potentially crippling ailment that can get worse as a person gets older. If you wish to try a natural approach, consider CBD. This natural plant-based product comes in a wide variety of potency levels, delivery methods and more, meaning that you can easily develop a CBD routine that works for your specific needs and goals.