Alleviating Discomfort: CBD for Knee Ache Management

If you’re experiencing moderate knee discomfort, you might be looking for ways to manage it from home. If you’ve turned to CBD before, you might be wondering if you can use CBD for knee pain relief after physical exertion or exercise, too.

While scientists are still closely studying the potential CBD oil benefits for managing aches and soreness, early evidence suggests that this powerful cannabinoid could provide relief for some people experiencing moderate discomfort.

In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about CBD, knee discomfort and things to consider while seeking joint pain relief. We’ll also offer some helpful tips for dealing with knee aches that might help you improve your overall comfort level.

What Is CBD?

Before you start considering CBD products for relief, you should understand some CBD basics to get a full picture of its potential:

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major cannabinoid — a distinct compound present in the Cannabis sativa plant.
CBD was first isolated in a research facility in the mid-1960s, and clinical interest in CBD and other cannabinoids has gradually increased ever since.
CBD, unlike its close relative THC, doesn’t produce psychoactive effects (i.e., you won’t get high from using CBD).

Another critical aspect of the CBD conversation is legality. Before you purchase any CBD products, consider that:

CBD is federally legal – It’s currently legal to possess and purchase CBD in the US. You won’t face any federal legal consequences if you use CBD.
Some states have their own CBD regulations – While it’s federally legal, states may still enforce CBD-related policies — review these carefully before starting your CBD journey.
Only a few CBD products are regulated by the FDA – While there are some FDA-approved CBD-based drugs on the pharmaceuticals market, cannabis products as a whole remain unregulated. However, many CBD retailers choose to perform independent testing to ensure quality and purity.

From a scientific standpoint, CBD is still being closely studied — new information about CBD is still over the horizon, and it’s difficult to make definitive claims about it without more data.

From a legal standpoint, most adults who choose to consume CBD are protected by federal law.

CBD vs. Marijuana

If you’re a newcomer to the cannabis conversation, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between CBD and marijuana?

“Marijuana” is another word for the Cannabis sativa plant — a plant that’s been cultivated into numerous strains.

Cannabinoids like CBD and THC are present in every marijuana plant, but some strains have been specifically cultivated to increase the concentrations of specific cannabinoids (more on this in the next section).

In short, CBD is found in marijuana plants; but the terms “CBD” and “marijuana” aren’t interchangeable.

CBD vs. Hemp

What about CBD and hemp? Are these terms the same? Let’s break down the relationship between CBD and hemp.

Hemp is a type of marijuana plant – “Hemp” describes any strain of the marijuana plant that’s been specifically cultivated for its highconcentration of CBD and very low concentration of THC.
Many CBD products are derived from hemp – While manufacturers can isolate CBD from various strains, many of today’s CBD oils are sourced from hemp products since they have high concentrations of the cannabinoid. So, you might come across products like CBD hemp oil for sale. If you are still trying to navigate what the best CBD oil products are, you can refer to our helpful guide to help you explore your options,
Hemp and CBD aren’t interchangeable, but they’re similar – CBD is a compound found in hemp (and other marijuana plants), but CBD isn’t hemp, and vice-versa. If you see a product listing for hemp pills, you can assume that this product has a high concentration of CBD and a negligible concentration of THC.

Put simply, CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in various strains of the marijuana plant, including hemp.

Can CBD Help with Knee Discomfort?

So, can you use CBD for knee pain caused by exercise or an active lifestyle? As long as CBD doesn’t interact with any medications you’re taking, you can certainly try it.

Early studies have demonstrated that CBD may:

Reduce levels of discomfort
Help modulate inflammation
Ease irritation associated with some medical conditions

In this context, exploring CBD for inflammation could be a useful addition to your management strategy for knee discomfort, as it may offer some benefits in addressing the underlying inflammation.

Even though CBD has been studied for decades, researchers are still investigating how:

CBD administration methods impact effectiveness – Different methods of taking CBD (e.g., eating edibles, drinking tinctures, using topicals) can produce different results for patients, and scientists aren’t quite sure why.
Dosing relates to patient experiences – It’s hard to say how much CBD you should use because researchers are still exploring important considerations like body composition and tolerance.
CBD use impacts the body long-term – Researchers don’t yet have a clear picture of how CBD might affect the body long-term.

All that said, scientists believe that CBD could help patients relieve discomfort because of its interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors and pathways that interacts with cannabinoids to send signals throughout the body. Early conclusions seem to indicate a connection between the ECS and discomfort management, but there are still many stones left unturned in scientific literature.

Using CBD for Knee Discomfort Management: Key Considerations

Let’s explore three factors to consider as you navigate your knee discomfort with CBD.

Taking More Serious Conditions to the Pros

For the purposes of this article, we’re exploring knee pain related to exercise or everyday activities. In other words, mild to moderate discomfort that’s mostly manageable.

This means that you may want to talk to a licensed healthcare provider if your knee soreness is due to issues like:

Injuries
Work or automobile accidents
Genetic or degenerative conditions
Ongoing mobility challenges

While CBD could support a healthy lifestyle while you recover from a major injury or live with a medical condition, it’s not a replacement for professional medical care.

At Zebra CBD, we care about your health and wellness — that’s why we recommend leaving medical issues to the experts and only experimenting with CBD for minor ailments or moderate discomfort.

Treating Your Soreness vs. Adjusting Your Routine

Think about the root cause of your knee aches. Do you experience discomfort after:

Working out?
Changing your exercise routine?
Performing specific exercises or movements?

If the answer to any of the above is “Yes,” it’s important to consider how you can adjust the underlying cause of your discomfort. Consider:

Taking it easy at the gym – If you’re pushing your body too hard, you’re bound to feel mild to moderate discomfort. If this discomfort starts to interfere with your daily life, it might be worth scaling back your routine.
Staying consistent – If you exercise infrequently and only experience discomfort when you occasionally work out, inconsistency might be a contributing factor. While achiness can keep us from working out, staying consistent can help your body adjust to moderate exercise over time.
Tailoring your routine for your body – If you experience chronic knee pain or soreness, consider choosing exercises that accommodate these limitations (or any others). This might be opting for lower-impact leg exercises or trying bodyweight workouts, for instance.

While CBD treatment could help you find some relief, don’t forget to address the circumstances that are causing your discomfort whenever possible.

Finding the Method That Works for You

If you choose to experiment with CBD for joint pain relief, remember that incorporating CBD into your lifestyle is a journey: you’ll need to explore different options to find a method that works for you.

Throughout your journey, try out various:

Products and administration methods – When it comes to CBD use, you have so many products to choose from, including CBD topicals, edibles, tinctures and even smokables.
Concentrations – Cannabinoid concentrations should be listed on every cannabis product label — they’re expressed as a percentage. While we recommend starting with a low percentage, test out different concentrations to find your sweet spot.
Amounts – Different products offer different quantities of CBD. Again, we recommend starting small and slowly increasing your usual amount until you get the results you’re looking for.

Tips for Managing Knee Discomfort

Whether or not you choose to try CBD for knee discomfort, here are some tips that might help you navigate your soreness and find relief:

Prioritize rest – Whether you’re pushing yourself too hard in the gym or you just got back from a backpacking trip, soreness is to be expected when we challenge our bodies. Don’t forget to take time to rest and let your body recover from high-demand situations.
Keep taking prescribed medications – Unless directed to stop by your healthcare provider, keep taking your prescribed medications. If you’re concerned about your medications impacting your level of discomfort, talk through any questions with your provider.
Use any over-the-counter treatments (including CBD) consistently – Whether you opt for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve or find CBD gummies for sale, try to establish a consistent routine to stay ahead of your discomfort. This will also help you track your results more accurately.
Talk to an exercise or mobility professional – If you’re struggling to find a workout routine that’s compatible with your physical limitations, talk to a pro like a personal trainer, physical therapist or mobility expert. They can help you discover exercises that build strength without sacrificing long-term comfort.

Discover the Zebra CBD Difference

So, can you use CBD for knee discomfort? While we still need more scientific evidence to understand whether or not CBD is effective for managing aches and soreness, early studies suggest that it could help some patients struggling with discomfort.

When it’s time to find a reputable source for CBD online, turn to Zebra CBD: your trusted CBD partner. We offer a wide variety of CBD products you’re sure to love.

Plus, every CBD product of ours is tested for purity and content by independent labs. That means when you choose Zebra CBD, you always know what you’re getting.

Explore our inventory of CBD products, and start your journey with CBD today.

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