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Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequent cause of peripheral nerve pain (nerve damage). It produces a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as tingling in the fingers, hands, and arms.
Unfortunately, effective carpal tunnel treatments are severely limited. While some therapies may assist patients in controlling their symptoms, they frequently come with a high potential for adverse effects. Furthermore, they merely address the symptoms rather than the true source of discomfort.
Medical cannabis has been used to treat a variety of ailments for thousands of years. In recent years, cannabis-based medicines such as marijuana and CBD oil have shown promise in the treatment of neurological pain. Is cannabis effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome? We look into it further.
Best Medical Cannabis Strains for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Whether an individual wants to use THC or CBD for carpal tunnel, there is most likely a strain that would work for them.
The following are some of the most popular high THC strains for carpal tunnel. They have not been evaluated in clinical trials, but anecdotal evidence suggests that they can help with pain and sleep.
- Blue Dream
- Northern Lights
- Purple Kush
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Granddaddy Purple
Individuals who are seeking a product with a higher CBD concentration while keeping the THC at bay should consider the following strains:
- Cannatonic
- ACDC
- Ringo’s Gift
- Charlotte’s Web
- Harle-Tsu
For the best of both worlds, try a strain like Harlequin. With an almost 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, this sativa-dominant hybrid provides a mild and manageable high.
Medical Cannabis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves are damaged. It works by modulating the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complicated network of cell receptors and chemical messengers known as endocannabinoids. They function as a kind of signaling mechanism throughout the body, together with the ECS. They’re involved in memory, mood, movement, and hunger just to name a few of their many roles.
The ECS also plays a role in the transmission of pain signals. CB1 is a cannabinoid receptor that may be found throughout the nervous system and brain. Endocannabinoids are thought to block the release of neurotransmitters, preventing painful messages from getting through.
Medical cannabis is also an effective anti-inflammatory. It’s where the painkilling power of cannabis comes from. THC, one of the chemicals in marijuana, has a similar chemical structure to our endocannabinoids. Its format allows it to bind with CB1 receptors and produce a comparable impact.
The human body, on the other hand, breaks down THC at a significantly slower rate than our natural endocannabinoids. As a result, the effects of medical cannabis can last considerably longer. Medical cannabis’s strong activation of CB1 receptors explains why it produces such a intense feeling.
Unfortunately, the pleasurable effects of cannabis are off-putting for some people. In a study published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2018, researchers found that cannabis helps nerves heal more quickly.
According to a recent study, individuals who use medical cannabis are more likely to drop out of clinical trials than those who take a placebo. They cited neurological and psychiatric adverse effects as the main cause. Nonetheless, the review did discover that cannabis-based medicines were associated with improvements in pain at least 50%.
Fortunately, if you want to use cannabis for carpal tunnel without getting high, there are several choices.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
A narrow passageway in the wrist is known as the carpal tunnel. It allows the median nerve to go from the forearm to the hand via this passageway. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your palm, thumb, and first three fingers.
If the carpal tunnel swells, it might press on the nerve, causing unusual sensations and discomfort. Carpal tunnel syndrome is what we call this occurrence.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are caused by the anatomy surrounding the median nerve pressing on it.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is an entrapment neuropathy. This phrase refers to carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a kind of nerve pain that does not originate from the nerve fibers themselves. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are caused by the surrounding anatomy pressing on the median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms generally develop gradually and worsen with time. The patient’s dominant hand is typically the first to be afflicted, but the non-dominant side can also be affected.
Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include:
- Tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and fingers
- Aching hands, fingers, and forearms
- Weakened grip
- Fingers that feel swollen but without visible swelling
The hands are often swollen, painful, and numb. Most individuals suffering from this illness have aching hands with tingly pins and needles or frozen hands that feel like they’re asleep. It’s common for patients to wake up with pains in the thumb, index finger, or middle finger.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the narrow passageway between the arm and hand. It may happen for a variety of reasons, including the ones listed below:
- Wrist injury
- Repetitive overuse of the wrist
- Use of vibrating machinery
- Holding the wrist in an unnatural position for long periods
- Cysts or tumors
The risk of carpal tunnel syndrome is higher among those who are overweight or pregnant. It might also be linked to certain medical problems, including:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Underactive thyroid gland
- Overactive pituitary gland
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects approximately 1% of the population. Women are three times more likely to have it than males. People who work in assembly lines or similar environments are at a threefold higher risk.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
In many situations, rest and a ban on aggravating activities will aid in the cure of carpal tunnel syndrome. People who have this condition can improve their recovery by:
- Wearing a wrist splint at night for at least four weeks
- Performing hand and wrist exercises
- Using over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Applying cold packs to combat heat and swelling
- Trying alternative therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, or chiropractic treatment
If the above treatments do not work, a corticosteroid injection might be advised. The goal is to decrease inflammation and squeeze pressure on the median nerve. These injections, on occasion, merely provide momentary relief; however, repeated use can lead to new problems.
Surgery is an alternative, although it is usually a last resort. Due to the risks of surgery, doctors only advocate it in extreme situations. That said, carpal tunnel repair remains one of the most prevalent operations in the United States.
Those wanting a more natural treatment may find that medical cannabis and CBD may provide some relief.
Medical Cannabis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that occurs when nerves are damaged. It works by modulating the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complicated network of cell receptors and chemical messengers known as endocannabinoids. They function as a kind of signaling mechanism throughout the body, together with the ECS. They’re involved in memory, mood, movement, and hunger just to name a few of their many roles.
The ECS also plays a role in the transmission of pain signals. CB1 is a cannabinoid receptor that may be found throughout the nervous system and brain. Endocannabinoids are thought to block the release of neurotransmitters, preventing painful messages from getting through.
Medical cannabis is also an effective anti-inflammatory. It’s where the painkilling power of cannabis comes from. THC, one of the chemicals in marijuana, has a similar chemical structure to our endocannabinoids. Its format allows it to bind with CB1 receptors and produce a comparable impact.
The human body, on the other hand, breaks down THC at a significantly slower rate than our natural endocannabinoids. As a result, the effects of cannabis can last considerably longer. Marijuana’s strong activation of CB1 receptors explains why it produces such a intense feeling.
Unfortunately, the pleasurable effects of cannabis are off-putting for some people. In a study published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2018, researchers found that cannabis helps nerves heal more quickly.
According to a recent study, individuals who use cannabis are more likely to drop out of clinical trials than those who take a placebo. They cited neurological and psychiatric adverse effects as the main cause. Nonetheless, the review did discover that cannabis-based medicines were associated with improvements in pain at least 50%.
Fortunately, if you want to use cannabis for carpal tunnel without getting high, there are several choices.
CBD for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The psychoactive chemical THC has dominated current research on cannabis and pain. More recent studies, however, have focused on the non-intoxicating counterpart, CBD.
CBD does not bind to cannabinoid receptors in the same way as THC does, yet it has a similar impact on the ECS. It appears to slow down the breakdown of endocannabinoids, which means they have a longer duration of action.
Cannabidiol (CBD) also interacts with a number of other bodily systems. The family of transient receptor potential cation vanilloid (TRPV) receptors is one of them. These receptors are important for sensory perception, including pain.
CBD has also been shown to have immunomodulatory properties, which means it has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. CBD appears to have immunosuppressive qualities and may help with a number of inflammatory conditions, according on study.
How to Use CBD for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Most people consume CBD oil in the form of a few drops under their tongue. By doing so, the cannabinoid is absorbed directly into the circulation without going via the digestive system.
Although there are currently no legal restrictions in place, some states have passed legislation prohibiting the sale and use of cannabis-derived CBD. Other methods of consuming CBD, on the other side, have emerged as its popularity has grown. Capsules and edibles make it easier to take CBD, while e-vaporization delivers faster effects.
Another option for utilizing CBD is topical applications. They allow consumers to apply the cannabinoid to areas of the body where it is most needed. As a result, those using topical CBD for carpal tunnel may massage it directly onto their wrists.
When purchasing a CBD product, look for one that is high in whole-spectrum CBD.
When selecting a CBD product, look for one that is full-spectrum. Terpenes are another kind of chemical present in these goods.
There are a large number of chemicals that can have anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effects on their own. Furthermore, some researchers believe that certain compounds operate together synergistically in what is known as the “entourage effect.”
Another thing to keep an eye out for is third-party lab reports. These documents verify that a product contains all of the elements it should and nothing more. These reports are an excellent indication that a company is trustworthy and sure in the quality of its CBD products.
Finally, choose a product that is capable of meeting your demands. The precise CBD dosage for carpal tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, varies from person to person and is determined by numerous variables.
Final Thoughts on Medical Cannabis and CBD for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Medical marijuana or CBD may help you if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Although cannabis and carpal tunnel syndrome have not been extensively studied, it may be beneficial for all types of pain. With so few other effective therapies for carpal tunnel available, it’s worth a shot.
Medical cannabis and CBD, on the other hand, should only be used under the supervision of a physician. It is always necessary to follow your state’s specific rules and to use these drugs responsibly.
