CBD oil offers a slew of mental and physical benefits, including relief from aches and pains. If you’ve ever suffered from plantar fasciitis, well, you’ll know all about pain. This common condition is characterised by a sharp or dull ache on the bottom of the foot and affects around 10% of the UK population at some point during their lives.
Naturally, many plantar fasciitis sufferers are turning to cannabidiol (CBD) oil in an attempt to help with pain management. Made from hemp plants, CBD is a natural and well-tolerated substance that offers wellness benefits without psychoactive effects. Since CBD rarely causes side effects (and on the rare occasions they occur, they are mild), the plant compound is becoming an increasingly popular remedy.
In this article, we’ll explore CBD for plantar fasciitis, how CBD oil provides pain relief and the types of CBD-infused products that are best suited to treating foot pain.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition caused by the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, under the skin between the heel and the middle of the foot. The plantar fascia acts like a shock absorber, absorbing the impact of your steps as you walk or run. With overuse, it can tear, causing pain and inflammation.
Plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful, making it difficult to walk or even stand. It can affect one or both feet. The condition is most commonly seen in middle-aged adults, but it can affect people of any age. Quick and effective treatment is necessary to avoid further complications.
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
People with plantar fasciitis usually report pain on the bottom of their foot, often in the heel area. The muscles in the foot may feel tight, and the condition is usually most painful after getting out of bed or when walking or standing. In more severe cases of plantar fasciitis, pain may persist even at rest.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis develops when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and suffers from several microtraumas. This can be caused by several different factors, including:
- Overuse – e.g. a sudden increase in walking or running
- Inappropriate footwear
- Certain types of terrain
- Foot structure
- Obesity
- Tightness of the Achilles tendon
Can CBD Oil Help Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Pain?
Studies that focus on the impact of CBD on pain and inflammation – the main components of plantar fasciitis - are in the relatively early stages, but so far, they have delivered encouraging results. Most research to date has been carried out on animals. For instance, a 2015 study concluded that CBD oil reduced inflammation and pain-related behaviour without side effects in rats suffering from arthritis.
Researchers in a 2018 review of studies spanning four decades also concluded that cannabis (containing both CBD and THC) can be effective in the overall management of chronic pain.
There are many anecdotal reports supporting the theory that CBD can help pain and inflammation, including foot pain such as plantar fasciitis.
Consequently, CBD oil could be well worth trying as a natural and effective treatment for symptoms of plantar fasciitis. We would recommend using CBD for foot pain alongside rest, icing and regular stretching. If symptoms continue or worsen with use, consult your GP.
CBD for Foot Pain: Does It Work?
Let’s take a closer look at the science behind CBD’s interaction with the human body and how it is capable of easing symptoms of pain and inflammation. When we take or apply CBD oil, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). If you take CBD oil sublingually, for instance, it absorbs into the bloodstream rapidly, where it is transported around the body and stimulates two receptors of the ECS: CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The main function of the ECS is to maintain homeostasis and regulate pain, sleep, mood, metabolism and more. As cannabidiol enters the body and stimulates the receptors of the ECS, certain hormones are triggered to generate changes in the body, such as anti-inflammatory effects, pain relief, improved mood, etc. Furthermore, as inflammation is lessened, the associated pain typically reduces too.
The Best Types of CBD for Plantar Fasciitis
You can take CBD oil or CBD oil-infused products for plantar fasciitis pain. CBD oil is typically administered under the tongue, where it is held for 60 seconds to encourage absorption through a thin mucous layer into the bloodstream. CBD oil is a popular choice for pain relief since the effects are felt much more quickly than products that must travel through the digestive system before reaching the bloodstream, such as CBD gummies. We recommend Relief + CBD Oil, which is infused with premium broad-spectrum CBD alongside turmeric, black pepper and limonene to provide powerful anti-inflammatory effects and alleviate pain.
Alternatively, you might try a CBD topical, such as a CBD gel for plantar fasciitis, that can be applied externally to the affected area of the foot. This concentrates the CBD to a localised area, and some feel this is more effective for reducing symptoms. If a CBD cream for plantar fasciitis appeals to you, check out the highly effective Relief + CBD Joint and Muscle Cream, infused with 1000mg CBD, arnica, camphor and peppermint to provide pain relief and reduce swelling.
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How to Use CBD Oil for Plantar Fasciitis
How you use your CBD oil for foot pain depends on the type of product you choose, the severity of the pain and your biochemistry. Firstly, there are no specific guidelines on the dosage of CBD for plantar fasciitis. The general advice is for healthy adults to take no more than 70mg daily. We recommend beginning with a small dose for a few days and slowly increasing it as you go along (if you need to).
If it’s a CBD oil or tincture you have, take a few drops under the tongue and hold them there for 60 seconds for the CBD to absorb. If using topical CBD, simply apply to the affected area and ensure it is rubbed in gently. Alternatively, you might chew a CBD gummy or take a CBD capsule. Always read the package instructions before use.
Choose a Quality Product
When it comes to CBD, doing your research and paying a little more for a quality product is generally good advice to follow. Check the brand before you buy – is it reputable? What are the reviews saying? Any manufacturer selling high-quality legal CBD oil or CBD-infused products in the UK should be able to show independent third-party lab reports to verify the purity of their products. Your product should contain less than 0.2% THC to comply with UK legislation.
The Takeaway
It’s early days in terms of the science but there’s a lot of promise surrounding CBD oil’s impact on pain and inflammation; the key components of plantar fasciitis. CBD has been shown in many preclinical studies to work with the mammalian endocannabinoid system and influence the production of certain hormones which have a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. Plantar fasciitis sufferers may wish to try CBD oil under the tongue for rapid relief, or topical CBD applied to the affected area. Always choose a high-quality CBD-infused product from a reputable manufacturer.
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