If, like many active people, you suffer from knee pain -- acute or chronic, a result of injury, arthritis, overuse, or disease -- you may be wondering about cannabidiol (CBD) to help alleviate the discomfort. While additional well-designed clinical studies are needed to establish regimens for safe and effective therapeutic CBD regimens for treatment of pain in humans, a growing body of evidence suggests that CBD might be a promising approach for reducing pain and stiffness and maintaining function and mobility.
Anatomy of the knee, in brief
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities, such as lifting and kneeling, and from high-impact activities, such as sports, running and other exercise. The knee is formed by the following parts:
- Tibia. This is the shin bone or larger bone of the lower leg.
- Femur. This is the thighbone or upper leg bone.
- Patella. This is the kneecap.
Each bone end is covered with a layer of cartilage that absorbs shock and protects the knee. Basically, the knee is comprised of two long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. [1]
Causes of knee pain
Knee pain is a debilitating issue that may arise from a variety of sources. While injury and age may be contributing factors, there are many conditions that can result in pain, stiffness, and limitations on mobility in the joint and surrounding supportive cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
- Osteoarthritis
- Traumatic injury (sprained/strained/torn ligaments or cartilage, fractures, dislocations)
- Degenerative disease
- Overuse/repeated stress
- Infection
- Tendinitis/bursitis
- Post surgical rehab
Diagnosing a knee problem or injury includes a medical examination and typically the use of diagnostic imaging or procedures such as x-ray, MRI, CT scan, nuclear bone scan, or arthroscopy. Both non-operative (medical/pharmacological) and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition.
How can CBD help with knee pain?
It's no surprise that many of the conventional medication options to treat pain and inflammation come with undesirable side effects, including intolerance, GI upset, mood alteration, and even addiction. Together with your medical care team, you may find that CBD offers an alternative that may provide a variety of benefits, including reduced pain from inflammation, lessened anxiety, and improved sleep.
The National Institutes of Health have weighed in concerning the potential utility of CBD for addressing pain and inflammation resulting from arthritis:
Currently recommended pharmacologic treatment options for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), low-dose steroids, and viscosupplementation. However, each of these modalities is fraught with side effects when used for long periods of time, and given the insidious time course of osteoarthritis, CBD may prove a useful drug for those with an aversion to other therapies. Additionally, the evidence for viscosupplementation relies on the results of controversial, randomized-controlled trials, and intra-articular preparations have notable contraindications to therapy. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest that CBD is a safe, useful alternative or adjunct for the treatment of neuropathic joint pain due to secondary osteoarthritis. [2]
How does CBD work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 100 chemical compounds unique to the cannabis sativa or hemp plant. These compounds are referred to as cannabinoids. You likely have heard of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid most commonly associated with marijuana. However, unlike THC, CBD is non psychoactive and has been shown to offer a myriad of wellness benefits without the "high" effect of THC. Research and experiential evidence shows that CBD may be helpful in promoting calm, addressing pain and inflammation, and supporting the GI, nervous, and immune systems, among other useful applications. Adding to these benefits, CBD is non psychoactive, non habit-forming, and well tolerated, making it a potentially desirable supplement choice for your addressing your knee pain.
Cannabinoids are naturally effective in our bodies because, throughout our evolutionary development, we have been hardwired to gain the benefits of the cannabis sativa plant through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex signaling network within the mammalian body that functions as a lock and key mechanism when cannabinoids are present or introduced into the bloodstream. These receptors exist throughout the body -- nervous, musculoskeletal, digestive, immune, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, and other systems -- and are the reason why cannabinoids can have such diverse and profound effects. [3] All mammals, including humans and companion animals, have an ECS, and the body produces "endo" (internal) cannabinoids (naturally occurring substances such as anandamide) that operate to keep the body's systems in balance. [4] However, when an external force such as injury, illness, or stress is introduced, our body's own endocannabinoids may be depleted, resulting in an interruption to homeostasis that can manifest as anxiety, pain, inflammation, sleep disturbance, compromised immune function, and more. CBD and related "phyto" (plant) cannabinoids are natural compounds that can supplement the body's own cannabinoids and lock into cannabinoid receptors to address the imbalance and restore homeostasis. [5] In addition, research suggests that CBD may also interact in potentially beneficial ways with other neurotransmitter systems and receptors that support normal levels of other "feel good" brain chemicals such as serotonin. [6] [7]
How can Trove CBD help address my knee pain?
If you are seeking systemic relief, you may want to consider an ingestible tincture or capsule. A daily dose of Trove CBD Oil 750 taken under the tongue will help enhance calm and mental focus, while also providing relief from pain and inflammation throughout the body, assisting in your mobility regimen, and often aiding in a restful and restorative sleep. Trove CBD Capsules 25 offer similar benefits in a convenient capsule form. The specific dosage regimen will vary from person to person, and also depends upon the nature of the issue you are seeking to address. Once you, along with your healthcare provider, determine the amount and frequency of supplementation that works best for you, you can develop your own Trove CBD wellness routine.
Trove CBD Balm 750 is a natural way to target a specific area, making it a great choice for soft tissue injury, aches, and specific areas of pain or inflammation. It is not uncommon to feel relief within minutes following topical application, and results will often last from two to four hours, allowing for greater comfort, increased mobility, and improved mental focus.
The bottom line
If, along with your medical team, you are considering a CBD product as part of your regimen to address knee pain, choose a product that has been independently tested for purity, quality, and potency. CBD should be a part of an overall pain management plan that includes lifestyle options such as exercise and mental health support. Establish realistic goals, monitor progress and improvement, and adjust CBD dosage to the lowest dose that provides desirable results. If certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or related conditions, are implicated in your knee pain, be sure to consult your care team prior to modifying any prescribed medications as they may be providing important protection against future joint damage.
Trove CBD is triple tested, THC free, and offers a full line of premium products that taste great, feel luxurious, smell delightful. . .and they work! Read more about "Why Trove CBD" [here]
Copyright © 2022 Deborah Carter All rights reserved
[1] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/knee-pain-and problems
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7176325/
[3] Lutz, B et al. The endocannabinoid system in guarding against fear, anxiety and stress, Nat Rev Neurosci. 2015;16(12): 705-718
[4] Hillard, CJ. Stress regulates endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor signaling. Seminars in Immunology, 26(5), 2014, 380-388
[5] Bluet, RJ et al. Central anandamide deficiency predicts stress-induced anxiety: behavioral reversal through endocannabinoid augmentation. Translational Psychiatry (2014) vol 4, e408
[6] Bedse, Guarav et al. Therapeutic endocannabinoid augmentation for mood and anxiety disorders: comparative profiling of FAAH, MAGI, and dual inhibitors. Translational Psychiatry (2018) vol 8, 1 92