CBD cream has been proclaimed as a cure-all for many ailments. Can it cure your foot pain?
Your foot consists of 26 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, all working together to keep you either upright or moving. So it’s understandable that your feet get tired and achy from time to time, considering all the work they do. In fact, a survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association revealed that 77 percent of adults age 18 and older have experienced foot pain. Yet only a third said they would seek medical attention for the discomfort.
Instead, many people experiencing foot pain explore alternative therapies, with CBD foot cream in particular emerging as a popular remedy lately. But do these hemp-based potions actually reduce foot pain? Let’s look at the facts.
What is CBD Foot Cream?
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of two active ingredients in cannabis. Unlike its counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana. It does, however, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors that control everything from sleep cycles to your response to pain. In simple terms, CBD boosts your body’s natural endocannabinoids so you’re less sensitive to pain caused by inflammation or overworked muscles.
CBD foot creams are produced when marijuana flowers are soaked in coconut or olive oil. The resulting lotion may also be infused with other pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory agents like capsaicin or lidocaine. However, at this time, no scientific evidence definitively proves topical CBD creams are better at reducing muscle pain than current popular over-the-counter lotions such Tiger Balm, Icy Hot, or BenGay.
Can CBD Creams Help Foot Pain?
Although CBD creams have been promoted as a cure for foot pain, many foot problems go deeper than the surface of the skin. The cream penetrates only 1 centimeter of the skin, which is not far enough to reach the sore muscle or damaged tissue causing many common foot disorders.
For example, rubbing CBD cream on your foot may offer only temporary relief from the pain of plantar fasciitis. A common foot pain complaint, plantar fasciitis develops when the tissue running along the bottom of your foot from your toes to your heel becomes inflamed due to working out without supportive footwear or from flat feet. There is no cure for plantar fasciitis, but the condition is typically treated by wearing supportive shoes or switching to low-impact activities such as swimming and cycling.
Injuries or degenerative conditions of the big toe are common, as well. Known medically as hallux disorders, your big toe (the hallux) can be affected by arthritis, bunions, or sesamoiditis (tendonitis centered at the bottom of the foot near the big toe). Depending upon the exact condition, therapies for those disorders range from orthodontics, pain medications, or surgery in the case of advanced bunions.
Morton’s Neuroma, or a pinched nerve in the foot, is another painful foot ailment. Wearing tight-fitting shoes can pinch the tissues between the third and fourth toes, resulting in pain, burning, and tingling sensations. Well-cushioned shoes, orthopedic inserts, massages, or steroid injections rank above topical creams as preferred treatments for Morton’s Neuroma.
CBD creams are currently unregulated, so if you buy a CBD product, carefully check the ingredients for any toxins. In many instances, the temporary relief you feel from the cream may not be due to CBD, but other pain relievers contained in the product, such as menthol, capsaicin, camphor, or lemongrass.
Be Free of Foot Pain
The staff at Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group specializes in foot disorders. If your foot pain interferes with your daily activities, we can help you enjoy life again with pain-free steps. Contact us today for a consultation.
