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Plantar fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is a common condition that affects the feet. It occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed due to overuse or strain. So, it is most likely to affect runners and highly active people. However, it can also affect sedentary people.
To understand what causes plantar fasciitis and how it affects you, let’s delve a bit into anatomy.
The plantar fascia is a strong fibrous tissue that runs from the toes to the heel. It stretches like a rubber band and connects the bones in the feet. It enables you to move dexterously and be stable while at it.
Generally, the feet are usually under lots of stress and strain. These forces are more pronounced in heavier people, making them prone to developing plantar fasciitis. Roughly one in ten people experience this condition in their lifetime. In the US, some 2 million people are treated for plantar fasciitis each year.
The good news is that it is treatable. With proper treatment, 80% of affected people improve within a year. The different treatment options are categorized into non-operative (e.g., injections, extracorporeal shock therapy, night splints, etc) and surgery.
But given the meteoric rise of CBD products, you may be wondering: does CBD salve help plantar fasciitis? Well, let’s see what the research says.
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Key Takeaways
- Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the feet. It’s caused by too much stress and strain on the plantar fascia.
- CBD salves are topical products that leverage CBD’s healing potential. They are thicker and more occlusive than creams and lotions.
- There is no evidence that CBD salves can treat plantar fasciitis. However, they may help with some symptoms like pain.
What Are CBD Salves?
If you haven’t heard about the insane buzz CBD has generated, you’re missing out. CBD is a mostly non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis. It belongs to the family of cannabis compounds called cannabinoids and is the second most abundant naturally occurring cannabinoid after tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Here’s more on the differences between CBD and THC.
CBD displays a broad range of effects and may offer relief for common conditions like pain, inflammation, and anxiety. As a result, it has become a popular ingredient for health supplements and skincare products. CBD salves are among the many methods of consuming this cannabinoid that people seek to harness the many health-impacting properties of CBD.
CBD salves are ointment-based topicals that penetrate more deeply into the skin. They tend to be greasy, heavy, and sticky and are generally designed to form a protective layer on the skin. Like creams and lotions, salves are designed for external use.
There are alternative methods of consumption as well, like capsules, oils, edibles, etc.
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Does CBD Salve Help Plantar Fasciitis?
There is no doubt that CBD possesses a myriad of qualities underlining its status as a top-notch therapeutic agent. But despite all the rave reviews it is getting, there is no research on CBD for plantar fasciitis.
However, don’t despair too soon. This cannabinoid has a range of potential health-benefiting qualities that might justify its use in managing plantar fasciitis.
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain, swelling (inflammation), stiffness, and tight tendons. Incidentally, CBD’s most well-studied attributes are its anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effects.
For example, a 2016 study showed that CBD lowered inflammation in rat models with arthritis. Further, in a 2017 experiment, the findings revealed that CBD treatment occasioned lower inflammation levels in rats with osteoarthritis.
However, it is not always straightforward as far as research on CBD for inflammation and pain is concerned. A 2021 study investigating CBD’s therapeutic effect on pain and inflammation found no significant difference between participants treated with CBD and those given a placebo.
Regardless, a 2018 review of CBD studies between 1975 and 2018 suggests that it could be effective in pain management. And the icing on the cake is that it didn’t cause significant side effects.
Now, back to the million-dollar question — can CBD salve help plantar fasciitis? We cannot provide a straight yes or no response. However, if the findings of scientific experiments are anything to go by, there’s a good chance CBD cream for plantar fasciitis could help. Pain and tissue inflammation are major symptoms of plantar fasciitis, and it happens that CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.
We suppose CBD topicals for plantar fasciitis are worth trying before reaching for the costlier conventional medications. They might just work for you!
How to Use CBD Salve for Plantar Fasciitis
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Using CBD salve for plantar fasciitis is easier now, owing to the growing popularity of CBD products. The most practical way to use CBD salve to manage pain and inflammation is by applying it directly to the affected area.
For better results, get hints from our complete guide on how to use CBD hand cream. Meanwhile, start by washing your hands, followed by the affected area. We recommend using warm water and soap to ensure the affected area is clean.
Next, apply a small amount of salve to the affected part. If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable to perform a spot test with a tiny amount of ointment. These products contain varying ingredients, some of which might irritate. Discontinue use if you feel itchy or get a rash or any other symptom after a day.
If no adverse symptoms occur, you use the CBD salve without worries. Apply a small amount to the affected area and massage gently. As always, a little goes a long way with CBD products. Also, keep in mind that these products are pricey, so be frugal.
Depending on the ingredients, the effects can be instantaneous. If not, give it time. CBD topicals generally kick in within minutes after application. Of course, other factors, such as potency, affect the efficacy of topical CBD products.
Overall, reaping the benefits of these products may call for consistency and patience. Apply the CBD salve at the exact times for a few weeks and assess the effects.
How CBD Aids Foot Pain
CBD’s arsenal against pain and inflammation is its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. But how does it exert these effects?
The key to CBD’s therapeutic effect on pain and inflammation is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS has receptors, i.eCB1 and CB2, through which it mediates various bodily functions such as pain perception, anti-inflammatory responses, sleep, reproduction, etc.
Other components of the ECS, like the endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and enzymes, also play various roles.
When you take cannabinoids via smoking, eating, or topical application, they activate these receptors. Their activation produces wide-ranging physiologic responses that ultimately restore body homeostasis.
CBD exerts its therapeutic effects by activating the CB2 receptors. These are mainly involved in inflammatory and other immune system processes. So, when you take CBD, it stimulates the ECS, which influences how you process pain. The science behind this is a bit intricate and comes down to CBD indirectly stimulating opioid receptors and inhibiting pain transporters.
It also turns out that pain and inflammation are more closely related than initially thought. Here’s the thing; when tissues are inflamed, they put pressure on pain sensors and activate them. These then send signals to the brain, which are interpreted as pain. In other words, CBD’s anti-inflammatory qualities may help reduce pain by minimizing inflammation.
There is a school of thought that CBD may alter how you process pain by stimulating the production of anandamide. Anandamide is involved in various physiologic processes, key among them emotion regulation. It modulates the brain’s reward circuit, thus elevating your sense of happiness and overall mental wellness.
Benefits of Using CBD Topically
Minimal Risks of Overdosing
One of the benefits of using CBD topically is that the risk of overdosing is minimal. While average CBD topicals can penetrate the skin, they generally don’t reach the circulatory system. Granted, the addition of penetration enhancers makes these products more penetrative. However, overdose by topical application is unheard of.
Help Alleviate Other Skin Conditions
Besides mitigating the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, topical CBD may also help with other skin conditions owing to its broad pharmacological profile. Studies indicate that CBD has antibiotic and antiviral properties that could be useful in dealing with fungal and viral infections.
Reduce Oxidative Stress
CBD skin care is a booming business and for good reason. This cannabinoid is rich in antioxidants which makes it potentially valuable for disrupting free radical chain reactions. Actually, a recent study compared CBD’s antioxidant activity to that of vitamins C and E. Free radical activity is associated with all things negative that affect the skin – uneven skin tone, wrinkles, dark spots, sagging skin, etc.
Relaxation
Sometimes discomfort can make you anxious and irritable and even affect your sleep. CBD possesses potential anxiolytic effects and may help calm you down during such times. So, as you care for your feet, remember to apply CBD salve to your scalp and temple. These areas have thin skin and easily absorb creams and lotions.
Skincare
Finally, CBD topicals may help moisturize and nourish the skin, depending on their composition. Most of these products are now made with extra ingredients to enhance not only their therapeutic effects but also their skincare properties.
CBD for Neuropathy Numbness in Feet
While plantar fasciitis is generally caused by tissue damage, foot neuropathy results from nerve damage, nerves are involved in relaying information between body parts and the brain, so when they are affected, they stop sending signals efficiently.
The effects are wide-ranging and can be life-altering over time.
While there is scarce research on CBD for neuropathy numbness, mounting evidence suggests it may help reduce some symptoms. The most common symptoms of sensory neuropathy are pain, numbness, tingling sensations, loss of balance, coordination, and feeling.
There is no evidence that CBD may improve neuropathy numbness, but several studies suggest it may alleviate pain. This is a good starting point considering pain can be quite disconcerting regardless of where it affects.
Where to Buy Topical CBD Online
It’s important to remember that CBD products are not marketed as medications but as supplements. So, if you’re on neuropathy drugs, we recommend consulting your doctor before starting on CBD. The good news is that topical CBD doesn’t exhibit significant drug interactions and is much safer. Now that we’ve looked into the question “does CBD salve help plantar fasciitis” you may want to try some products for yourself.
With that out of the way, here are our picks of CBD creams that may help with plantar fasciitis.
This product comes in a 2 oz. jar with 500mg of CBD. It’s enriched with cooling herbal extracts like mint, arnica, and eucalyptus to alleviate pain and discomfort quickly. The soothing lavender fragrance aids calm and relaxation.
This salve is formulated to provide magnificent heating and cooling effects thanks to a rich dose of full-spectrum CBD and a blend of ingredients that include herbal extracts, vitamins, and essential oils. It’s available in two strength levels (1000mg and 3000mg), so you can choose the dose that works for you!
Rejuvenate tired muscles with the EVN CBD Salve. This product delivers the healing power of 500mg of broad-spectrum CBD enriched with eucalyptus and lavender oils to cool and calms your senses.
For a more potent punch, go for this Relief CBD Salve with a whopping 1000mg of CBD in a 2 oz. jar. This CBD salve is infused with powerful herbals to enhance its efficacy and potency. Whatever your health needs, this product promises to deliver!
Because active people are prone to injuries, this sports cream is the ideal companion. With 1000mg of CBD and a premium blend of menthol and camphor, this cream provides deep, fasting-acting cooling and invigorating effects.
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission when you purchase products featured here. Please consult your doctor before starting any new supplement to see it is right for you.