Is it just us, or is CBD all the rage these days? This cannabis derivative seems to be everywhere — in body oils, in supplement form and even infused into food and drinks. CBD products are taking the market by storm, and for a good reason — when done safely, using CBD can have many positive benefits, including pain management.

If you’re considering using CBD to manage various aches and pains, including sciatica back pain, you likely have some questions. Well, lucky for you, we gathered up (most of) the answers.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about using CBD for sciatic nerve pain below.

Question number one: What exactly is CBD? Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a derivative of the cannabis plant, AKA the marijuana or hemp plant. But don’t get it twisted — these hemp-derived compounds aren’t exactly the same. 

Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive drug that causes the trademark high associated with marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, contains no THC — in other words, no high.

CBD might not get you high, but it does reportedly have some wellness benefits related to relaxation and stress relief. Because CBD interacts with receptors in your body’s natural endocannabinoid system, it can have many helpful benefits.

As of right now, the use of CBD has only been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for one purpose: the treatment of a few severe epilepsy conditions, including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

However, some research has shown that it may be beneficial in the treatment of other conditions, including:

Although research on using CBD to treat these conditions is preliminary, it is promising. The thought of being able to apply topical CBD as an analgesic and find relief from chronic pain conditions like arthritis and sciatica is hugely exciting, especially if you’ve been dealing with it for a while. 

But just how effective is CBD for treating sciatica and other similar conditions? Let’s talk about it.

If you’ve had sciatica in the past, you’re likely intimately familiar with this type of nerve pain. But if you’re new here, let’s spend a second reviewing.

Sciatica is pain that runs through the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. The sciatic nerve runs down your lower back, through your hips and butt, and down each leg as far south as your calf muscle. You can develop sciatica when a herniated disc or other cause puts unusual pressure on the nerve, causing inflammation, tingling, numbness, and other symptoms.

What sciatica pain feels like often varies from person to person. Some people may experience it as a sharp or burning pain, while others feel it more as an ache. Usually (although not always), it only affects one side of the body.

One thing is certain: Sciatica pain certainly falls into the category of neuropathic pain that CBD is often very useful at soothing. In fact, many studies have demonstrated links between CBD use and reduced pain, making it a potentially highly effective pain management option for conditions including sciatica and other types of back pain.

If you choose to use CBD to manage your sciatica, you’ll have a number of different types of CBD products to choose from.

You can buy CBD in the form of:

Each form of CBD varies in levels of potency, the time it takes to affect your nervous system, and pain-relieving efficacy.

Each CBD product has its own pros and cons, and we highly recommend discussing sciatica treatment options with your doctor before choosing the best CBD products for sciatica pain.

The ideal product for you may depend on your own personal habits and preferences — are you more likely to stick to a pain management schedule if the CBD comes in the form of a gummy? Or would you prefer to massage a topical product like CBD oil into the affected area?

You may also have to experiment with dosage to find the product that is most effective for you. Everyone has slightly different tolerances and preferences when it comes to CBD — just because a product works well for one person doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you.

However useful CBD may be for relieving sciatica pain, it’s important to note that this does not include sciatica triggered by pregnancy. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, which can be caused by a herniated disc, a bone spur, or a condition such as diabetes — or pregnancy.

Pregnancy is well-known for all its ups and downs. But, while you may have picked up our Swell Relief Duo and Belly Oil for your swollen legs and stretch marks, it’s hard to plan for sciatica.

There are a few things to know as you’re deciding whether or not to use CBD during pregnancy. Number one, there’s not a lot of research on the long-term effects of CBD on a developing fetus. Number two, there are some side effects associated with CBD, and science has yet to nail down the specifics. 

If you’re experiencing sciatica because of diabetes or a herniated disc, taking a CBD supplement or using CBD oil may be the perfect solution for you. If you’re pregnant, there are a few extra factors to consider — but since you’re about to welcome your new little one into the world, considering extra factors is about to become the new norm.

The good thing about sciatica caused by pregnancy is that it won’t last forever — as soon as your little one has arrived, that pressure on your sciatic nerve should ease, and so will your pain. But in the meantime, what’s a mama-to-be to do? If you decide not to use CBD, what other pain management options do you have for pregnancy-induced sciatica?

The short answer: Plenty. Pain management options for sciatica pain during pregnancy include physical therapy and stretching, massage therapy, non-weight-bearing exercise (such as swimming), and over-the-counter pain medication. 

Step one to managing your sciatica is talking to your doctor about your symptoms. They’ll be able to help assess your pain and determine the best treatment plan for your individual circumstances. 

They might recommend that you see a physical therapist, or perhaps they’ll prescribe specific stretches or exercises to help strengthen your back muscles, hips, pelvic floor, and the region around your sciatic nerve.

They may also recommend over-the-counter medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs). These can help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with sciatic pain and are proven remedies for pregnant women.

Other treatment options for the symptoms of sciatica include chiropractic care — a chiropractor may be able to realign your vertebrae and help you find pain relief — or prenatal massage, which can be both relaxing and therapeutic. 

If you seek a prenatal massage to help manage your pain, consider a licensed massage therapist, preferably one specializing in prenatal massage and pain management. There are certain safety precautions your massage therapist must take when giving prenatal massages, and a specialist should know all of these. 

For temporary relief (and some much-needed TLC), try a warm bath with our Belly & Body Bath Soak. This soak doesn’t contain CBD, but it can help promote relaxation and might help you forget about your pain for a little while.

Okay, we’ve covered a lot of ground, so let’s review. CBD is an extract from the cannabis plant, but it doesn’t contain any THC, meaning it doesn’t get you high the way marijuana does. Preliminary research shows it may be effective at treating a variety of ailments, including insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain, such as sciatica. 

If you’re considering using CBD for your pregnancy-induced sciatica, it’s worth doing the research to make an informed decision and find the right product. Alternative solutions could include over-the-counter pain management, physical therapy, stretching, seeing a chiropractor, or getting a prenatal massage. 

CBD might not be for everyone, and we definitely recommend talking to your healthcare provider before using this chemical compound to soothe your sciatica, as well as if you have further questions about CBD use that we haven’t answered. When used safely and effectively, it can be a great way to relieve chronic pain.

Sources:

CBD: Safe and effective? | Mayo Clinic

Cannabidiol (CBD): What we know and what we don’t | Harvard Health

Sciatica – Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic

Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment | PMC

What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding | FDA

Sciatica Pregnancy: Stretches for Pain | Healthline

Pregnancy Sciatica: 5 Natural Ways to Find Pain Relief Without Drugs | Healthline