Back pain is surprisingly common in the UK. It affects between 60-80% of people at some point in their lives, and nearly 73% of adults report daily, weekly or monthly back pain. This makes it one of the leading causes of disability and absence from work.
This type of musculoskeletal condition presents as a long-term or chronic problem, leaving patients with few options for pain relief. Many pain relief options available are not suited to long-term use, making them ineffective and potentially dangerous for chronic pain sufferers.
With long waiting times and limited options available for treatment, many patients take matters into their own hands. According to one study, around 60% of people with back pain will turn to exercise to help ease their discomfort.
We’re also seeing a rise in people looking for natural and topical pain relief as an alternative to options like ibuprofen and stronger pain relief such as codeine. A holistic approach could be just the thing you need to tackle your back pain, as it will help to ease you into movement, paving the way for better muscle and joint function.
Why Topical Relief is Often Better Than Oral Painkiller
For chronic pain conditions, using oral pain medication is often ineffective, and could even be dangerous. You might be accustomed to reaching for paracetamol and ibuprofen for short-term conditions like a headache or muscle strain, but advice is often to avoid taking these for longer than 3 days.
With stronger, prescription-strength painkillers, there is a risk of dependency, so these are often capped at 2 weeks. For those living with long-term pain conditions, this is clearly a dead end.
The main risks associated with long-term pain medication include damage to the stomach lining which can lead to ulcers. There is also the risk of dependency for stronger medication, including opioids. Liver and kidney damage can also occur in long-term use.
Topical pain relief is different as this bypasses the liver, meaning there is no risk of damage to the organs and the risk of dependency is eliminated. Topical ibuprofen is an option, but these products often carry a pungent and heavily medicated smell. They’re also formulated with a petroleum-derived base, which means they might not be suitable for all skin types.
For those taking the holistic route towards a pain-free life, choosing natural products will always be better. So it’s high time we look to nature for a solution to back pain.
What Are CBD-Infused Gels – And How Do They Help With Back Pain?
CBD-infused gels are growing in popularity as a practical and long-term solution for back pain and other joint or muscle pain. It’s vital to choose a product that offers a CBD plus approach, as this will harness the power of natural botanicals to deliver the best possible outcome.
CBD is a compound found in the cannabis and hemp plant that is able to support the endocannabinoid system. This is a complex system present throughout your body that sends messages between different types of cells. It’s essential for maintaining homeostasis, or a state of balance for bodily functions.
CBD applied to the skin interacts with endocannabinoid receptors, offering anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits. The true benefits come when this is combined with other botanicals to provide a cooling or warming effect.
Hot and cold therapy are highly effective for tackling pain, particularly linked to muscle and joint aches, but carrying around ice packs and a hot water bottle isn’t exactly practical. By replicating the sensations of heating and cooling with ingredients like menthol and clove, you can enjoy the benefits of hot and cold therapy without the fuss.
Heating sensations are beneficial for warming up muscles and easing muscle spasms, while cooling sensations can be particularly effective for reducing inflammation.
The Power of HEMPE Hot & Ice Gels: Multi-Action Pain Relief
This powerhouse pair offers all of the benefits of hot and ice therapy with the added convenience of being able to use it on the go. There is a natural synergy between the ingredients in each CBD-infused gel, allowing you to lean on the best nature has to offer for relieving pain and improving movement.
In the HEMPE Hot Muscle and Joint Gel, you’ll find ingredients like clove oil, menthol and eucalyptus oil. These ingredients help to stimulate blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing while also easing muscle tension. If your back is stiff and uncomfortable when you wake up in the morning, this is the ideal CBD-infused gel to get you moving.
With the HEMPE Ice Muscle and Joint Gel, you’ll find cooling ingredients like menthol, peppermint oil and pinus sylvestris oil. This combination helps to soothe inflammation and helps with muscle fatigue. It’s perfect for the end of the day, or after strenuous exercise, to help ease pain and discomfort.
CBD for Lower Back Pain, Sciatica and More
Not sure if this product combination could be right for you? Here are some of the most common types of back pain and neck pain that may be relieved with the help of HEMPE Hot And Ice CBD Gels.
- Lower back tightness – often caused by poor posture or extended periods of sitting down, tightness in the lower back can limit mobility and make it difficult to complete everyday activities.
- Sciatica pain – this is pain linked to the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the body, from the mid-spine to the feet. Compression of this nerve can result in a sharp shooting pain. Rest and gentle exercise are recommended to help relieve this type of pain.
- Exercise-related injuries or overuse – the back is prone to injury when lifting or carrying out complex movements. When this happens, the pain can leave you sedentary. CBD-infused gel can help to keep you active so you can recover quickly.
- Postural pain from sitting at a desk – this type of pain can manifest as lower back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain. It can also lead individuals to become sedentary, which is counterproductive when the best way to counter this type of pain is with gentle movement.
Why HEMPE is Different: Clean, Proven, and Trusted
Search for CBD infused gel and you’ll be inundated with options, but not all CBD gels are created equal. Adding CBD to a product doesn’t make it instantly effective, as it is often the combination of botanicals that will enhance the efficacy. It’s also essential to ensure the product is clean and safe.
Contamination in the CBD industry is a widespread problem, with low quality CBD often being added to topical products without much concern for the end user. This can lead to contamination from pesticides, heavy metals, allergens and even controlled substances such as THC.
Our HEMPE CBD muscle gel is cruelty-free, non-GMO, vegan and formulated from over 30 years of cannabinoid research. In trials, 53% of users found a reduction in pain in just 3 days, while 90.4% reported an increase in their quality of life. [Source?] Reviews also indicate positive outcomes for our customers – see for yourself.
“Ordered recently from Boots online. Both the Hempe hot and ice gels have been fantastic sorting out sporadic lower back pain, not to mention other aches and pains in legs and shoulders. Far superior to more established brands on the market”
“Excellent product, I find both CBD ice and CBD hot really soothes back pain and can thoroughly recommend.”
“Very happy repeat buyer as the hot and cold CBD gels help with chronic back and hip pain I've been experiencing as a middle-aged runner!”
How to Use HEMPE Hot and Ice Gels for Back Pain
To maximise the results from the first use, we recommend applying these products after showering or bathing, as this will ensure a clean base with no barriers to absorption.
The HEMPE Hot Muscle & Joint Gel is best applied in the morning or before exercise. It’s also perfect for tackling muscle spasms throughout the day.
The HEMPE Ice Muscle & Joint Gel is highly effective as a post-exercise cool down, or before bed. It helps to reduce inflammation and soothe aching muscles, providing the perfect conditions for restful sleep.
You can apply both the Hot and Ice gel repeatedly throughout the day, but it’s recommended to limit this to 3-4 applications per day. This is not a safety concern, but rather an efficacy concern. You may become accustomed to the heating or cooling sensation, making it feel less effective with over-use.
Alternating between cooling and warming sensations is often recommended, as this helps to replicate the benefits of hot and cold therapy. Heat helps to increase blood flow, triggering healing mechanisms in the process. While cold helps to block pain signals and reduce inflammation.
It’s natural to be nervous about investing in new products, which is why we recommend getting started with the sample size sachets. It’s the perfect low risk way to find out if this product could work for your pain before you invest in a larger size like the 50ml bottle or even the excellent value 150ml bottle.
Final Thoughts On CBD For Back Pain
If you’re looking for a smart and modern solution for back pain relief, it might be time to explore topical solutions like the HEMPE Hot & Ice Combo Deal. This collection is formulated with real-life in mind, allowing you to find relief from discomfort when you need it the most.
The best solution for back pain is often gentle exercise and functional movement, but to get there, you need to find relief from the aches and the stiffness. With the help of HEMPE’s collection of heating and cooling gels, you can prioritise movement and fast-track the road to recovery.
Not sure if this collection is right for you? Explore our blog to learn more about condition specific support, or read more about the history of HEMPE to find out how we got started.