CBD Salve and Ointment: What CBD Topicals Can Do for Sore Muscles and Joints

A CBD salve or ointment is a topical, a balm or cream you rub on the skin, that delivers CBD right where it hurts, and it's mostly used for local inflammation, sore muscles and joint pain. It won't get you high, and it's become a go-to for athletes and people with arthritis. CBD oil is showing up in more and more health products thanks to its wide range of uses. With studies suggesting it may help people dealing with anxiety, seizures, addiction, Parkinson's and even the side effects of cancer treatment, CBD oil has become a popular ally for all kinds of conditions. It can go into products you swallow (edibles), inhale (vapes) and even CBD topicals, like creams meant to ease inflammation.

CBD topicals are especially popular with athletes, who use cooling gels and soothing creams on sore muscles and joints after a hard workout. But anyone who's ever had a sore or injured muscle, dealt with arthritis pain or struggled with another inflammatory condition could find CBD creams worth a try.

So what exactly is CBD, and how does it work? Is it all hype, or is it getting popular for a good reason?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid, a compound found in both marijuana and hemp plants. It interacts with our own endocannabinoid system (ECS), which makes similar compounds of its own. Cannabinoid receptors throughout the body (with CB1 concentrated in the brain and nervous system) respond to the cannabis we inhale, eat or absorb, and trigger a range of responses. The ECS plays a big role in regulating sleep, pain response, appetite and even the immune system. Research suggests CBD may:

Reduce inflammation

Provide meaningful pain relief

Ease joint discomfort and arthritis

Help stabilize mood

Help with nausea and appetite (important for people going through cancer treatment or living with digestive conditions that make it hard to eat regularly)

Help reduce certain types of seizures

Support people dealing with addiction

And plenty more.

As a natural alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers and AEDs (antiepileptic drugs), it's no surprise CBD oil is in such high demand. And unlike smoking or eating cannabis flower, CBD oil won't get you high or impair you. The most common side effects, if you get any, tend to be drowsiness, changes in weight and possibly diarrhea.

Compared with the long list of side effects that come with many prescription drugs (some of which can include heart attack, stroke and other far more serious problems), it's an option many people with chronic pain find worth considering with their doctor. CBD oil made from hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, and CBD is generally well tolerated, though it can interact with some medications.

Most of us are more familiar with CBD working through inhalation and ingestion, where the compound enters the bloodstream directly. But how does it work when it's absorbed through the skin? Can CBD topicals really be that effective? Many users say yes, and early research backs them up. The benefits of CBD cream tend to center on easing local inflammation, which can be incredibly useful for:

Athletes recovering from injuries, muscle inflammation, joint pain and other musculoskeletal problems

People living with arthritis pain

People with pain and inflammation linked to nutritional deficiencies

Anyone dealing with painful inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions

These days you can find CBD creams on the market, but if you'd rather make your own at home with simple ingredients, here's the step-by-step guide. 

As always, check with your doctor before adding CBD to your routine, especially if you take other medications.