CBD for back pain: a natural approach with potential

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide. According to a survey by the German Pain Society, almost one in three adults regularly suffers from back pain. Causes such as lack of exercise, poor posture at work, slipped discs or muscular imbalances not only lead to physical limitations, but also massively impair the quality of life of many people.

Particularly problematic: if acute back pain is not treated adequately, there is a risk that it will become chronic. Traditional painkillers often only provide short-term relief and can cause side effects such as stomach problems or addiction if taken over a longer period of time. This is why many people are turning to natural alternatives such as CBD for back pain.

If you are looking for high-quality products that provide holistic support for back pain, we recommend the following CBD products: 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates important bodily functions such as pain perception, inflammatory reactions, sleep and mood. CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS and can thus inhibit inflammatory processes, relieve muscle tension and influence the sensation of pain (Russo, 2008).

In combination with herbal aromatic substances (terpenes), the so-called entourage effect is created, in which the effects of individual components of the cannabis plant reinforce each other. Terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene (anti-inflammatory) or myrcene (muscle relaxant) in particular can enhance the effect of CBD and thus help to relieve back pain.

An animal study by the University of Kentucky showed that CBD as a transdermal gel significantly reduced both pain and inflammatory markers in the back area (Hammell et al., 2016).

CBD is particularly suitable for treating muscular causes such as muscle tension, but also for inflammatory processes, for example in connection with herniated discs or rheumatic complaints. It can also inhibit the transmission of stimuli at nerve endings, which can be helpful for neuropathic back pain.

For acute back pain, CBD oil is suitable for systemic ingestion. Just a few drops under the tongue can bring relief within 30-60 minutes. Alternatively, CBD can also be applied locally as an ointment to the affected areas. This is particularly effective for back tension or pain in the spine.

The recommended dosage varies depending on body weight, pain intensity and individual metabolism. A starting dose of 5-10 mg twice a day is often recommended. An average daily dose for back pain is between 20-40 mg. In the case of chronic back pain, continuous intake over several weeks is often necessary until the full effect develops.

The effect depends on the dosage form and pain condition. CBD oil usually takes effect after 30-60 minutes, creams within 15-30 minutes locally. If taken continuously, it can take 5-10 days before a lasting improvement is noticeable. Many sufferers report gradual relief of their symptoms in everyday life.

Clinical experience and testimonials show that many people with chronic back pain have been able to reduce their dose of painkillers with CBD or do without them altogether. The entourage effect enhances the effect through the interaction of several cannabinoids and terpenes. In contrast to traditional painkillers, CBD hardly causes any side effects. This is a clear advantage for prolonged use.

An observational study by the German Pain Society (2020) found that more than 60% of patients with back pain were able to reduce their medication after three months of CBD use.

The quality of CBD products varies greatly. Therefore, pay attention to the following points:

• Certificates of analysis from independent laboratories

• Herstellung aus EU-Nutzhanf mit < 0,3 % THC

• CO₂ extraction for gentle extraction of the active ingredient

• Full range of plants (for maximum entourage effect)

• Good ratings and transparent origin

Here you will find the best CBD products: 

CBD works best as part of a holistic health concept:

• Exercise: Daily mobilization, gentle back training

• Heat: heat packs or CBD baths to relax the muscles

• Diet: An anti-inflammatory diet supports the effect

• Sleep: CBD can improve the quality of sleep

• Stress reduction: yoga, meditation or mindfulness techniques complement the effect

• Hammell, D. C. et al. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818

• Russo, E. B. (2008). Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management. https://doi.org/10.2147/tcrm.s1928

• Häuser, W. et al (2019). Cannabinoids: Basics, efficacy and tolerability in chronic pain. German Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2019.0627

• German Pain Society e.V. (2020). Position paper on the use of cannabinoids in pain medicine. https://www.dgschmerzmedizin.de

• BfArM - Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (2022). Information on the use of cannabidiol (CBD). https://www.bfarm.de

• Shannon, S. et al (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente Journal. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041

• University of Leipzig (2021). CBD in pain therapy: meta-analysis of chronic back pain. Center for Pain Therapy Leipzig.

• Blessing, E. M. et al. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1