Unlike ingested orally, CBD lotions, creams, and topicals are intended to deliver CBD to a specific body part or area. “Anecdotally, I have patients who swear by topical CBD application for underlying joint pain and tendinopathy,” says Boston-based sports dermatologist Robin Travers, MD. The goal is to address site-specific inflammation rather than attempt to lower the body’s overall inflammatory process.
Sports podiatrist Charlton Woodly, of Fort Worth, Texas, says, “It just makes sense that if I have pain in my Achilles tendon I would apply something to my Achilles tendon instead of taking something orally, especially when you are able to manipulate that cream on a muscle or joint, increasing blood flow and breaking up a little bit of scar tissue with a light massage.”
Apply a CBD cream for pain wherever you’re having particular issues. We saw much more benefit when we consistently apply CBD cream two or three times a day—say, after showering and before going to bed—than once.
Why Buy CBD Topical Creams?
Let’s step back a bit and consider a basic question: How do any topical solutions, whether or not they contain CBD, work?
There’s no doubt that some topical applications can help with internal inflammation. Prescription-only patches and gels containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are increasingly popular, given concerns about the effect of traditional anti-inflammatories on internal organs. Later in this chapter, we’ll look at the matter of CBD’s bioavailability— that is, how much of what you take ultimately wind up in your bloodstream. The best CBD cream
theoretically bypass this issue by not first going through your gastrointestinal system. So if CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, the right kind of topical should help with site-specific inflammation.
The first, obvious requirement of an effective topical solution is that the active ingredients penetrate the skin. “An oil or cream is likely to penetrate the skin better than a petroleum-based topical,” says sports podiatrist Brian Fullem, of Clearwater, Florida. The overwhelming majority of CBD topicals marketed to athletes meet these criteria. Most include ingredients, such as beeswax or eucalyptus oil, that help the solution get through to deeper tissue levels so that the CBD can enter the bloodstream and/or work directly on the targeted soft tissue, such as a tendon.
Next, consider the application site. Flow much gets ab¬sorbed varies by body part. “The skin can be considered a multilayered biological membrane, with specific absorption characteristics at various layers,” says Travers. “Dry skin will have different absorption characteristics than well-hydrated skin. Thick calloused skin has a thick external layer that differs from smooth, thinner skin, such as on the face. Diseased skin (such as from eczema or psoriasis) will have different absorption abilities than intact skin.”
Travers cites some research that has found greater bioavailability of CBD via affordable CBD cream than oral solutions. “It remains unclear whether the improvements in underlying joint pain are by direct transfer of the CBD from the skin to the cannabinoid receptors in the underlying joint, or through systemic vascular absorption and delivery through the normal blood supply to the joint,” she says.
There’s a second big factor involved in any topical solution’s effectiveness. As Fullem says, a popular product probably doesn’t get past the surficial skin layers. Yet it certainly feels like something is happening, and many people swear by a rapid recovery cream for short-term pain relief. What’s going on?
“I think the placebo effect is very much in play,” Scott Palmer, MD, a team physician for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls, says. “They can have fragrances and consistencies that make you think that this is going to help. You get a warm, tingly feeling when you put it on a joint. It’s probably doing nothing for the inflammation, but it’s helping your brain make it like you’re feeling better.” Justin Young, who develops products for Floyd’s of Leadville, says, “Why do they have ingredients like lavender or mint? The aroma tells your brain that something different is going on. It distracts your mind from the pain. There’s definitely a placebo effect going on.”
Young isn’t admitting that healing cream don’t “work” in the sense of lowering inflammation. It’s pretty clear that, with the right formulation, CBD can penetrate deeply enough to work its anti-inflammatory magic. As we’ll see in a bit, when Palmer, Young, and others talk about the placebo effect, they mean something different—and more positive— than most of us do.
Lotions and creams are a great choice for athletes. For many of us, they’re an add-on to regular oral CBD consumption, applied on an as-needed basis. For others, topicals are the only form of CBD they use. That can be so for a variety of reasons: these athletes want help with chronic sore spots but feel they don’t need to take something to improve sleep and recovery or reduce anxiety; they don’t like the idea of taking supplements, no matter how natural; and/or they’re concerned about consuming trace amounts of THC.
How to Use the CBD cream products?
The key difference between capsules and oils versus topical CBD creams for pain is how and where your body absorbs the CBD compound. Best CBD creams for pain are going to be applied externally to the skin directly focused on the localized area with pain or discomfort. CBD oils and capsules are internally absorbed for use by your whole system.
It is always a good idea to inform your primary health care professional about your intention to start using any topical CBD products. They ask about the existing medication you are taking before starting a new treatment every time, and CBD pain cream is no exception. Always store away from animals or children and in a cool, dark place. Our staff is knowledgeable and always happy to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to ask about any of our top CBD topical products.
Buy CBD Products Online
With our base of satisfied and interested customers growing exponentially by the day, we have invested extensive time and effort towards making online purchasing and direct delivery fast and easy. You can browse and order our best CBD products without leaving home and we are ready to ship to your door as quickly as possible.
cbd pain relief cream
We do not offer full spectrum CBD cream for pain but sell all broad-spectrum CBD creams, lotions instead. Because every cannabidiol CBD product contains absolutely no trace of the psychoactive THC compound, we are legally able to ship our best products on the market to every state in the U.S. Our total compliance with federal regulations means you can get our topical CBD products with the same ease as any other online purchase.
