Does CBD Oil Ease Carpal Tunnel Pain?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when tissues surrounding the median nerve, stretching from the palm to the elbow, becomes chronically inflamed. According to CFAH, carpal tunnel usually happens after working in an industry requiring extended periods of repetitive hand movements. Pressure from inflammation on the median nerve hampers oxygen and blood flow, causing pain, tingling, itching, and a burning sensation. Some medical conditions that cause inflammation can trigger CTS, including rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, diabetes, and high blood pressure (per Hackensack Meridian Health). 

It may not be easy to find relief from CTS symptoms if it is caused or aggravated by your work. But wearing a splint, applying warmth or cold to the affected area, steroid injections, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or surgery could help ease symptoms. Cannabidiol (CBD) can also relieve pain, but does CBD oil ease carpal tunnel pain? 

While no research has been done using CBD to specifically target carpal tunnel pain, many studies show CBD oil can help reduce pain and neuropathy similar to carpal tunnel symptoms (via Healthline).

A 2020 study in Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology showed that applying topical CBD oil significantly improved pain and other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. The CBD treatments were well tolerated by all participants, and researchers concluded CBD oil "may provide a more effective alternative compared to other current therapies in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy." Mayo Clinic notes that a growing body of evidence supports the use of CBD oil to treat many conditions, including chronic pain, without the risk of opioid addiction — an increasing concern in the U.S. 

CBD is a derivative of the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC-based plant derivatives, CBD alone does not have any psychoactive effects and provides safe, clear-headed relief from pain and other symptoms of many medical conditions. CFAH recommends combining oral and topical CBD products for carpal tunnel pain. Experimenting with dosage amounts can help you find the best relief for your symptoms. 

Sublingual CBD oils and tinctures provide the fastest relief from inflammation. CBD capsules or edibles like CBD gummies provide longer-lasting relief, up to 10 hours, but can take up to 90 minutes to kick in. If you need more comfort than CBD alone provides, research suggests CBD products containing THC are more effective for neuropathic-type pain than CBD alone (per Healthline).