CBD For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you’ve experienced tingling, numbness, or weakness in your wrist, hand, or fingers, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. You would also not be alone. This nerve disorder affects between 4 to 10 million Americans. While it’s regarded as generally treatable, it can have a major effect on your day-to-day life. To better understand carpal tunnel syndrome, we’ll dig deep into the science behind it, its causes and symptoms, and how CBD, the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis, can help. 

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And What Are Its Symptoms? 

The carpal tunnel is a small passageway on the palm side of your hand that is surrounded by bones and ligaments. Through this passageway runs the median nerve. As the nerve becomes compressed you may begin to experience the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Typically, the symptoms – pain in the hand and arm with numbness or tingling – start in the fingers, although not the pinky, as what feels like an electric jolt. The sensations can also move from your fingers, through the wrist, and into your forearm. They can be painful and distracting, to the point of waking you up when you’re asleep. 

Weakness in the hands is another symptom. You may find yourself dropping coffee mugs or other small objects, often due to numbness in the hand. 

What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 

When looking at the common causes– heredity, repetitive hand use, hand and wrist position – they vary from fixable to unpreventable. Other causes include inflammatory conditions like arthritis, nerve-damaging conditions like diabetes, and obesity. Depending on the underlying cause, sometimes surgery is recommended as a treatment. 

What Are The Benefits of CBD Treatments? 

When looking at how CBD can help those with carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s essential to remember the anti-inflammatory properties of this cannabinoid. A bevy of recent research has indicated that these properties may provide pain relief, especially in cases of underlying health conditions like arthritis.  

So, CBD may be an effective treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when compared to common treatments like NSAIDs. NSAIDs, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause distressing side effects, such as stomach pain, heartburn, and dizziness.  If you’re struggling with the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s essential to discuss the situation with your doctor before taking CBD. Your doctor can best assess the underlying causes and work with you to determine the best treatment options that fit your needs and lifestyle.