Chronic pain is a common condition that deserves more attention. In the UK alone, around 12% of the population are living with high-impact chronic pain, and around 22% of the population are living with low-impact chronic pain.
Those suffering with constant pain are often left to fend for themselves, finding coping strategies that make sense for them. While short-term pain might be well catered for, there isn’t currently a pain medication available that is suitable for long-term use.
One method for finding pain relief without ibuprofen would be through the use of CBD pain relief gels – specifically, hot muscle gel and cold muscle gel.
This is a unique approach to pain relief that employs the principles of hot and cold therapy along with the less-explored field of CBD pain relief.
CBD is considered a safe ingredient, provided the user follows the instructions for use and does not exceed the recommended daily limit.
It’s also worth noting that any adverse side effects associated with CBD are linked to oils, vapes and gummies. Topical CBD is generally very well tolerated and presents very low risks to the user. This is why it could offer patients with chronic pain a long-term solution.
The Problem with Oral Painkillers
Whether you reach for paracetamol, ibuprofen or something stronger, you’re going to face limits on how long you can safely keep popping these pills.
Medical professionals are aware of this, which is why prescriptions for long-term pain medication like Naproxen will often come with a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor to prevent damage to your stomach.
This isn’t the only issue with oral painkillers. These are also associated with other nasty side effects, including:
- Liver and kidney damage
- Addiction
- Heart problems
- Allergic reactions
- Stomach ulcers
- Deadly blood clots
The risks increase the longer you take painkillers, and the analgesic effect will often diminish.
So, what is the solution for chronic pain?
The answer is often not in a single magic pill, but in a holistic approach that takes into consideration the whole human. And this is where hemp-derived CBD products can offer relief through anti-inflammatory benefits.
Finding Pain Relief without Ibuprofen
If you're living with sore muscles, arthritis pain, joint pain or nerve pain, you've likely tried everything to find relief. Conventional pain relief available over the counter will offer short-term relief and long-term issues.
In order to find pain relief without ibuprofen and other medications, we have to look at the source of the pain.
Pain is commonly caused by inflammation, which is a natural process designed to protect the body and repair following injury. It can also be entirely unhelpful, and may even be triggered incorrectly as a result of an autoimmune condition.
Ibuprofen is often used to reduce inflammation in the short-term, but for long-term relief, we need to get more holistic. Topical pain relief is often a far better solution for chronic pain such as muscular, joint pain and even nerve pain.
We can also employ the principles of hot and cold therapy to deliver targeted relief. By using natural botanicals that deliver a heating or cooling effect, it’s possible to replicate the effects of a warm sauna or an ice plunge from anywhere with no equipment.
Another benefit of this approach is that it will bypass the digestive tract and the liver, which reduces the risk of adverse side effects and toxicity.
Benefits of CBD for Pain
The pain relieving effects of the cannabis plant are well-documented. But cannabis is a controlled substance in the UK, and access to medical cannabis is carefully controlled.
Not to mention, there are plenty of unwanted side-effects to cannabis use because of the THC content – and most people don’t want to trade their pain for a euphoric high.
Thankfully, THC is not the only useful molecule in the cannabis plant. It also contains a multitude of compounds known as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
Not all of these elicit a high, and many of them can be beneficial for the human body – and specifically for modulating the inflammatory response.
Cannabinoids are known to interact with the human endocannabinoid system, or the ECS, for short. This system is widespread and complex, and we don’t yet fully understand how it works. But what we do know is that the ECS is essential for sending messages between cells, and these messages can contain information related to inflammation response.
You can take CBD as an oral supplement, you can inhale it as a vape liquid, or you can apply it to your skin. Oral CBD is one of the most widely studied, but even this research has been limited in scope. One of the biggest complaints is that it simply doesn't include enough human studies to satisfy healthcare professionals.
This is why we commonly rely on customer reviews and testimonials to support our claims around CBD for pain. Topical CBD is widely regarded to be very safe, even for those with sensitive skin. And the very fact that the UK CBD industry is worth an estimated £700 million tells us that customers are finding relief in CBD products.
Hot Muscle Gel Vs Ice Muscle Gel: Which is Right for Me?
You don’t have to choose between hot muscle gel and cold muscle gel – the biggest benefits are found when they are combined. While hot muscle gel can help to ease pain related to stiff joints and sore muscles, cold muscle gel helps to deflate inflammation and promote recovery.
These products serve a cross-section of the population that includes those dealing with chronic pain, and those living a very active lifestyle. Both groups can benefit from better mobility, reduced inflammation and improved rest.
With both the HEMPE Hot and Ice Gels, CBD is enhanced with the presence of traditional, botanical ingredients. Essential oils like menthol and eucalyptus have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. These are just some of the benefits of essential oils in our products:
- Clove oil helps to improve blood circulation, which supports healing
- Menthol delivers a cooling effect, which helps to ease inflammation
- Pinus sylvestris oil (aka pine needle oil) helps to increase circulation and offers cortisone-like effects
As you can see, you don’t have to reach for over the counter pain medication to enjoy pain relief.
Introducing HEMPE Hot & Ice Gel Combo to Your Routine
Our combo deal offers benefits for both your body and your wallet. The combination of hot and cold therapy can help to enhance and maximise the effects of each product, while the combo deal offers savings over buying each product individually.
It’s also worth noting that a little bit goes a long way with these products.
The timing of when you use the products is important, as it will deliver different effects depending on when and how you apply it.
How to use HEMPE Hot Muscle & Joint Gel
The HEMPE Hot Muscle Gel is best applied as a warm-up gel to help ease stiffness and promote better movement. This can help to prepare your body for exercise, or reduce some of the pain associated with inactivity overnight.
Apply it around 30 minutes before you plan to start exercising, or after you wake up.
You can apply the product directly to the source of pain, focusing on the muscles and joints that are giving you the most trouble.
- Gently massage a small amount of the product onto clean and dry skin.
- Leave the area uncovered until it is touch dry, and then continue dressing.
- You should feel a gentle heat start to radiate from the area. This will build gradually, but should not become uncomfortable.
- You can re-apply the HEMPE Hot Muscle & Joint Gel up to 4 times per day.
How to use HEMPE Ice Muscle & Joint Gel
We always recommend using the HEMPE Ice Muscle & Joint Gel following exercise to help reduce inflammation. You could also use it at the end of the day before bed, as this will help to promote restful sleep.
- Make sure the area is clean and dry and then massage the product into your skin.
- Leave the area uncovered if possible, as this will increase airflow which will increase the cooling sensation.
- You can apply the Ice Gel up to 4 times per day.
- Ideally, make sure that you apply the Ice Gel within 30 minutes of finishing any intense exercise, as this will deliver the cooling sensation when you need it the most.
Why Choose HEMPE?
There’s no shortage of pain relief gels on the market, so why would you bother with HEMPE? Our customers love our products for a number of reasons, not least because they are reliably consistent.
A common issue with CBD products on the whole is that they are not properly standardised, which can lead to significant discrepancies between batches. Our products are carefully manufactured for consistency, so you can feel confident that you’re getting the same formulation every time.
Our products are also third-party tested for purity and concentration. We’re even NSF Certified for Sport, which is a badge of honour that means it is a safe and effective supplement to use in sport.
We’re also really passionate about research and development within our product range. No ingredient in our Hot and Ice Gels is there by accident, so you can be confident you’re enjoying a product that has been specifically formulated for your needs.
Final Thoughts on CBD Pain Relief Gel
While CBD muscle gel might not be your only form of pain relief, it can help to reduce your reliance on oral medication, which can reduce the risks associated with long-term usage. An important thing to remember about CBD pain relief gel is that it is designed to help get you moving.
A common issue with chronic pain is that the pain leads to inactivity, and this can further aggravate the condition. By adding CBD pain relief gel into your daily routine, you can overcome the pain barrier that is preventing you from getting up and moving around.
In the search for a strong pain relief gel, you might be drawn to household names that are widely available in Boots and other pharmacies. While these might offer some benefits, there is a better way, and it involves natural ingredients and better formulations.
Including CBD in pain relief gel is a simple yet effective way to increase its efficacy. These products do not contain any ibuprofen or other NSAIDs that need to be used with caution. So if you are taking oral medication, you don’t have to worry about doubling up your dosage when using our topical pain relief gel.
If you’re on the fence about CBD pain gels, we recommend trying a sample size to experience the benefits for yourself. We’re confident you’re going to want to upgrade to a full-sized product or the combo deal soon after.