Neuropathic pain, or neuropathy, is pain that is caused by damaged nerves. Nerves send signals to different parts of the body, and when nerves are damaged it can create pain, numbness and tingling sensations in various part of the body.
Pain is categorised into two types, neuropathic pain and nociceptive pain, and there are some key difference between the two.
Nociceptive vs Neuropathic pain
- Nociceptive pain – all of us will have experienced this kind of pain at times. Nociceptive pain is felt when damage is caused to the tissues, such as an injury, cut or burn. When we are physically injured, the nerve endings become damaged, sending a message to the brain that is felt as pain. The pain is often sharp or throbbing. Nociceptive pain is usually well treated by pain-relief medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, or stronger, prescribed painkillers.
- Neuropathic pain – rather than nerves telling the brain about damage to a specific part of the body through an injury, neuropathic pain is caused by a problem with the nerves themselves. This means they do not function properly, and send pain messages to the brain. Neuropathic pain feels different to nociceptive pain, and may be present as sudden shooting pains, burning or aching. Also, neuropathic pain tends to be chronic, whereas nociceptive pain will get better as the injured part repairs itself. Traditional painkillers are not as effective in treating neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain can be felt anywhere in the body, but common types of neuropathic pain are:
- peripheral neuropathy, which is widespread damage to the nerves
- entrapment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- some types of cancer pain
- phantom limb pain after an amputation
- pain that occurs after an infection such as shingles
- Diabetic neuropathy
Traditional Treatment Options for Neuropathic Pain
As neuropathic pain does not respond well to normal pain relief medications, other types of medication are used instead. This includes antidepressant medications, anticonvulsants, opiate painkillers, or a combination of these medications. As neuropathic pain can be chronic, these medication may be needed for lengthy amounts of time, and this can bring its own side-effect and health issues.
Physiotherapy is also a traditional treatment for neuropathic pain. Other physical treatment such as acupuncture, TENS machines, or local anaesthetic injections can also help to manage pain.
Pain perception may be heighted by conditions such as depression and anxiety, so may be felt more acutely. Treatment for anxiety and depression may also relieve neuropathic pain for some people where the conditions exist together.
Keeping stress to a minimum and living a healthy lifestyle contributes to overall health and wellness, and may also help to reduce neuropathic pain. Useful supplement include vitamin B12, shown to help protect the nerves and reduce further damage. For those looking for a natural alternative to pain medications, CBD oil has been shown to be effective.
CBD Oil for Neuropathic Pain
CBD is a cannabinoid extracted from hemp, a plant from the cannabis family. Unlike its cousin, marijuana, hemp does not have the quantities of the cannabinoid THC that make marijuana users high. THC is present in hemp, but the levels are extremely low. CBD is safe to use, even at high doses.
Cannabinoids work by interacting with the endocannabinoid system the body, a recently discovered system that uses cannabinoids for a variety of therapeutic effects. Interest in CBD oil is growing as it is showing to bring many benefits to health and also proving effective in helping to treat many conditions, including neuropathic pain.
Many people use CBD oil for pain, and it is a good alternative to pain medications, or may reduce the amount needed for pain to be managed. CBD has been shown to relieve moderate, chronic pain, including neuropathic pain. This article from the Harvard Health Blog1 states that, “CBD may offer an option for treating different types of chronic pain. A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat.”
Even though current research into CBD and pain are at an early stage, the evidence shows promise. Plus there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence in people using CBD of chronic pain management. In addition, CBD has also show other qualities that are beneficial for neuropathic pain, such as being a natural antiinflammatory and neuro protector.
The best CBD oil for pain is always from a reputable supplier. It is important to find a brand that offer complete transparency about their manufacturing practices, where and how the hemp is grown, how the CBD is extracted, and provides laboratory analysis so customers know exactly what is in the product they are buying. This is to ensure that you get a high quality oil for the best therapeutic effects.
CBD dosage is another grey area when using it to manage pain. There is no one-size-fits-all dosage of hemp oil for pain. Factors such as a weight, height, sex, and age should all be considered, as well as the severity of the symptoms. For example, CBD oil for back pain may require a higher or lower dosage than CBD oil for joint pain, it all depends on the individual’s response to the cannabinoid.
Our CBD dosage calculator help you to find the best starting dosage of CBD, so you can make an immediate start with getting the help you need. Just add a few details into the form, and your personalised result will be displayed in minutes.
CBD is an effective way to help relieve many types of pain, and it can also support overall health and well-being. It is a useful supplement that we are only just beginning to understand, and it has enormous potential in providing further treatments for chronic pain and other health problems.
What you need to know about CBD oil and Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nerves. It is a shooting, tingling, or aching sensation that can affect any part of the body. Neuropathic pain examples are some forms of diabetic pain, pain cause by trapped nerves, after an infection such as shingles, some forms of cancer pain, and phantom limb pain.
Neuropathic pain does not usually respond well to traditional pain medications. Instead, stronger opiate based pain relief may be required. Antidepressants are also used to treat neuropathic pain, as is physical intervention such as physiotherapy, acupuncture and more.
There is much evidence of the effectiveness of CBD as a pain reliever, including for moderate, chronic pain. CBD can also benefit those with neuropathic pain through its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.
Many people look for information on how to use CBD for pain relief, however there is no standard dosage that works for everyone. The best way to find the best dosage for your needs is to use our CBD calculator. By inputting some details about yourself, you get a recommended CBD dosage displayed on your screen.