If you’ve searched for information about CBD and arthritis, you’re far from alone.
CBD creams, balms, and other topicals have become increasingly visible in the wellness market, particularly among consumers interested in products they can apply directly to areas such as their hands, knees, shoulders, and back.
But there is an important distinction between consumer interest in CBD and evidence that a CBD product can treat a medical condition.
Here’s what to understand before adding a CBD topical to your wellness routine.
Why Are People Searching for CBD for Arthritis?
People living with persistent joint discomfort often explore a wide variety of products and wellness practices.
That can include stretching, exercise, massage, hot or cold therapy, lifestyle changes, and topical products.
CBD has increasingly entered that conversation.
Topical CBD is particularly interesting to some consumers because it can be applied to a specific area rather than consumed like a gummy, capsule, or tincture.
However, interest in a product shouldn’t be confused with proof that it treats arthritis.
Can CBD Cream Treat Arthritis?
Consumers should be skeptical of any over-the-counter CBD company promising that its cream will cure or treat arthritis.
CBD products shouldn’t be presented as substitutes for appropriate medical care.
Instead, consumers interested in CBD topicals should think about them within the broader context of their personal wellness routines.
If arthritis or persistent joint discomfort is affecting your daily life, talk with a healthcare professional about appropriate treatment options and whether CBD is suitable for you.
Why Choose a Topical CBD Product?
For consumers who decide to explore CBD, topicals offer a few practical advantages.
They’re easy to incorporate into an existing routine and can be applied to a particular area.
For example, someone might incorporate a topical into a massage or evening wellness routine focused on their hands or knees.
That localized application is fundamentally different from consuming CBD in a gummy or tincture.
What Should You Look for?
The CBD marketplace can be confusing.
Before choosing a topical, look for a company that clearly tells you:
· How much CBD the product contains
· Whether it uses full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate CBD
· What additional ingredients are included
· How the product should be used
· Whether independent laboratory testing is available
One particularly useful document is the Certificate of Analysis, often abbreviated as COA.
A COA provides laboratory information about a product and can help you verify whether its cannabinoid content matches what is advertised.
Don’t Ignore the Rest of Your Wellness Routine
No cream replaces the fundamentals of taking care of your body.
Movement, appropriate exercise, recovery, nutrition, sleep, and medical care when needed remain important components of long-term wellness.
Think of any CBD product you choose to use as one component of that larger picture, rather than a miracle solution.
The Bottom Line
There is significant consumer interest in CBD and joint wellness, but marketing hype shouldn’t determine what you put on your body.
Research the product. Read the label. Look for independent testing. Understand what CBD can and cannot be claimed to do.
And if you’re managing arthritis or another medical condition, involve a qualified healthcare professional in the conversation.
Interested in adding a topical to your wellness routine? Explore our CBD creams and topicals and review the ingredients, CBD concentration, and product testing before deciding which option is right for you.
This article is educational and is not intended as medical advice. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent arthritis or any other disease.