There are lots of reasons you may be experiencing wrist pain. Today, we’re taking a look at some of those causes, plus how CBD may help relieve some of your wrist discomfort symptoms.
What Causes Wrist Pain?
Your wrists are a complex design of moving parts; bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and that small space where the carpal tunnel accommodates the median nerve. With so many integral parts, your wrists can have a number of issues, generating anything from mild discomfort to mobility issues to acute or chronic pain.
Wrist pain, discomfort, or neuropathy can affect your daily activities such as getting dressed, typing or driving. Some wrist conditions can also cause numbness in your hands and fingers making it more difficult for you to hold and use implements such as a hairbrush, a cell phone, or a pair of scissors. So, if you find yourself dropping the soap in the shower, rubbing your numb fingers, or wearing a wrist brace to keep down your wrist pain, it may be time to see a doctor and find out what’s causing all that discomfort.
Here are some of the common causes of pain in the wrists, which can stem from genetics, underlying health conditions, repetitive activities, injury, and occupational hazards:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, median nerve damage or injury
- Overuse syndrome
- Neuropathic pain and nerve pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Arthritis pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Widespread joint pain that also affects the wrists
- Inflammation
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendinitis
- Wrist injury
- Exercise-induced inflammation
When you have wrist pain, whether it’s severe pain or mild discomfort, you want immediate relief. There are OTC pain relievers and medications your doctor can prescribe for you, but don’t forget about some of the supportive measures you can take at home to help relieve your symptoms. You may find that using one effective treatment or a combination of treatments provides immediate and long-term relief.
Examples:
- RICE: Rest, ice (to reduce inflammation), compression, elevation. Because wrist pain is often a result of joint inflammation, doctors may recommend you R.I.C.E. your wrists, especially in the days or weeks following an injury (or a flare-up of an old injury). This method focuses on reducing inflammation (since pain and inflammation are often connected). Reduce inflammation and relieve the pain.
- Wrist braces can offer support and stabilize mobility, allowing those intricate wrist parts to rest and repair. It’s helpful to wear these to bed for some wrist conditions like overuse syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ask your doctor if wrist braces may help your condition.
- A Tens unit may help with neuropathic and nerve pain.
- Warm or cool compresses.
- Ergonomic desk and kitchen implements to reduce tension and strain on the wrists and hands.
- Avoiding activities that may contribute to your wrist issues.
- Quality CBD products —Yes, CBD oil and CBD topical creams make a great alternative treatment to other medications, or in addition to OTC or prescription medications. (Check with your doctor to be sure CBD is okay with what you are taking.)
Let’s take a look at hemp-derived CBD products and how they may be of help.
Wondering “Is CBD legal?” — Read more about that here.
Can CBD Help Wrist Pain?
If you’ve suffered from wrist pain, then you know how debilitating and cumbersome that pain can be. This brings us to the question: Can CBD help with wrist pain?
Many people testify that yes, it can help with localized and widespread pain.
There are over 100 different cannabinoids (cannabis compounds) in the cannabis plant, a combination of which can help with soreness and discomfort within your body. Many people find pain relief by using CBD oil topically, orally, or both. Some of the cannabinoids have been touted as a great homeopathic pathway to pain management, relief from inflammation, and as a way to experience a calmer demeanor, improve sleep, and minimize our pain experience.
It’s important to acknowledge that to date, scientific evidence has proven CBD oil’s efficacy in the treatment of seizures but the evidence is still lacking to substantiate other claims. This doesn’t mean that it does not help, can’t help, or that people’s experiences with noticeable pain relief and CBD aren’t valid, only that it has not yet been proven through scientific study.
Because of the strong anecdotal evidence, CBD has fast become a popular way to either replace or aid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other common pharmaceuticals, like pain relievers, to relieve symptoms of pain and swelling in the wrists and other joints, regardless of the cause. Prescription medications also require a medical doctor to prescribe them, and CBD oil tinctures do not.
Using CBD to Relieve Wrist Discomfort and Pain
There are three ways you can use CBD products for your wrist pain relief:
- Use a topical CBD product to relieve pain. CBD creams and gels are applied to the skin for targeted relief at the source of the discomfort, in this case on the forearms, hands, and wrists to relieve wrist pain.
- Use oral CBD products to relieve widespread discomfort, including in your wrists. A CBD tincture comes in full-spectrum CBD formulas (with THC in them) and broad-spectrum CBD oil products that do not have THC in them. (THC and CBD edibles would also be considered oral forms of CBD.)
- Use a combination of CBD topical products and oral CBD tinctures or CBD capsules for a more complete pain management plan.
Our Recommendations for Your Wrist Pain and Inflammation
First, see your doctor and any specialists they may recommend for you. Ask about any activities you need to avoid and what home care products you may use in addition to the prescriptions they may give you. Because your doctor knows your overall health and all the medications you take, they can let you know if you’re a good candidate for any cannabis derivatives, like CBD oil.
Once you get the all-clear, we recommend a two-part strategy for finding more calm and better sleep, both of which can relieve discomfort.
Oral CBD Oils
CBD affects your endocannabinoid system when used internally, delivering those helpful CBD benefits to your whole body, including your pained wrists. Our oral CBD product choice for wrist pain and inflammation is Asé Pure Naturals Full Spectrum Hemp Extract. It comes in a small glass bottle with a dropper for measuring out the CBD tincture drops.
Helpful tip: If you are brand new to CBD, begin using a half dose and work your way up to a full dose to allow your tummy to get used to the product.
We recommend the full spectrum variety of CBD oil for your overall pain management plan because the THC in full spectrum contributes to the entourage effect, which is a fancy way of saying that the cannabis compounds work even better in tandem, and with THC in the mix. This means even more calm and even better sleep — which, again, are so important for your healing. So if you don’t mind that tiny bit of THC in your formula that is just enough to help, use the full spectrum. If you don’t want the THC or would rather try CBD oil without it first, then begin your journey to relief with a broad spectrum formula.
Topical CBD Creams
In addition to a daily CBD formula, we recommend a topical CBD for carpal tunnel and other wrist pain that’s applied right to the skin. We cannot rave enough about the instant relief of Asé Pure Naturals Muscle Roll-On Gel. Roll it onto your wrists, forearms, and hands when you’re feeling discomfort for a cooling relief that’s quick and lasting. You can use it as often as you need it.
The Muscle Roll-On Gel contains natural analgesics Capsicum Oleoresin and Roman Chamomile Oil, and is scented with a fresh minty smell that won’t leave you smelling medicinal. Topical CBD products like this versatile roll-on CBD cream are a convenient and easy way to wrap your wrists in comfort so you can stay active, especially on the go. Grab one for your home and one to take in your bag so wrist pain doesn’t have to dampen your active lifestyle.
For more great CBD tincture and CBD cream tips, stay tuned to our wellness lifestyle blog, where we focus on living that CBD life of freedom you’ve always wanted. If you have any questions, we’re here to help!