Our feet are pretty incredible; they keep us moving, balanced, and supported no matter what kind of activity we're doing.
But because they are quite literally the furthest thing from our minds, we may fail to address problems like foot pain, heel pain, and joint pain in a timely manner.
Chronic pain in the foot can have many causes. While pain caused by pressure or strained calf muscles are rarely a serious problem, some conditions can be particularly debilitating.
This is especially true for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the clinical term for heel pain caused by inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of our feet. It's the most common cause of foot pain and heel pain, with over 2 million Americans seeking treatment for plantar fasciitis every year.
Naturally, many of these patients are looking for a fast, safe, and effective treatment for plantar fasciitis pain -- if you or someone you know has tried everything from prescription medications, over the counter medications, or foot massage to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain yet still can't find relief, CBD oil may be your next best bet.
Today, our team at ALeaf is going to walk you through everything the experts are saying when it comes to using CBD oil for plantar fasciitis pain. Chronic pain doesn't have to remain a daily struggle, and we believe CBD oil will quickly become your new best friend on your pain management journey.
Without further ado, let's get into it!
Plantar fasciitis refers to the sharp, stabbing pain many people experience that increases with exercise or when getting out of bed first thing in the morning. It is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a long and tough band of tissue that lines the bottom heel and connects it to the front of the foot.
The plantar fascia is a thick band that is also stretchy, like a rubber band. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this band is stretched too far or becomes overused, causing pain and inflammation.
Some people develop a dull ache in their heels, while others experience radiating sharp pain from plantar fasciitis. People naturally differ in their pain threshold and anatomy, so pinpointing an exact event that leads a person to develop plantar fasciitis is tricky.
These treatments may be effective in treating foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis, but they not completely eliminate discomfort. That's why it may be time to try CBD oil for plantar fasciitis.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, one of the chemical constituents of marijuana. It is different from tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the psychoactive part of cannabis that makes people high. CBD products are formulated to have little to no amount of THC, so things like CBD oil won't get you high. Many CBD products are, in fact, hemp derived CBD products for this very reason, since the hemp plant naturally contains low amounts of THC.
CBD works by regulating our body's endocannabinoid system, a series of receptors and molecules that interact with other internal systems and -- among other useful things -- modify the body's natural response to pain and inflammation. This means that while CBD oil and CBD products cannot treat the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis, it is a helpful and fast-acting tool for managing the pain.
In short, CBD regulates our pain perception by interacting with our central nervous system while not necessarily treating the cause. That's the job of a licensed clinician, who may advise you on using CBD oil for plantar fasciitis based on your unique circumstances.
Within the last decade, multiple studies have been done on CBD oil and its anti inflammatory properties, including one that found it can suppress chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain by modifying glycine receptor sensitivity. This is a huge finding especially for patients with persistent neuropathic pain, such as those suffering from diabetic neuropathy.
CBD's power to reduce inflammation is part of why it is so effective for treating pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Taking CBD oil for plantar fasciitis is now easier than ever with how popular CBD products have become in recent years. The most common ways to use CBD oils in pain management include:
Your method of using CBD oil matters. For example, drinking the product directly puts it immediately into your digestive system, where enzymes break down an appreciable amount of the substance before it has time to interact with your pain system. Alternatively, placing it under the tongue is much faster and allows more CBD to survive the journey to your receptors.
With all of these methods, you still need to consider an appropriate dosage, as the CBD oil can only provide relief at an adequate dose. Dosing may take some trial and error, but we are confident that CBD oil's anti-inflammatory effects will become obvious once you get it right.
Always keep a healthcare professional informed of your dosage and frequency of use, especially if you are taking other prescription medications.
Plantar fasciitis pain can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be a constant thorn in your side. There are many ways to alleviate pain due to plantar fasciitis, and CBD oil may just be another powerful tool in your pain relief arsenal.
