Is CBD a Possible Solution for Relieving Pain from Hyperextension?

It’s hard to believe, but a lot of us out there do take our joints for granted, especially when we’re young. The joints of the body have everything to do with our ability to perform even the most basic of tasks like walking, cooking and scrolling through social media. For many of us, it’s not until we injure a joint that we realize just how much we rely on it to get through each and every day.

There are various forms of joint injuries that can occur at any point in a person’s life. Today, we will be focusing on one specific type of injury, which’s hyperextension. This is an injury that results from overextending the joint, and it can affect any joint of the body.

Hyperextension injuries can range from mild to severe, with some of the more extreme cases requiring surgery. But, as you soon will discover, cannabidiol (CBD) may have a crucial role in helping a person manage the symptoms associated with a hyperextension injury, including the pain.

What are Hyperextension Injuries?

In essence, hyperextension occurs when a joint of the body is extended beyond its limits. We know that every joint has a set range of motion, meaning that we can only move the joint in so far in a certain direction before injury is inevitable. On top of this, the joints can only extend to a certain amount before the joint actually becomes damaged.

For example, think about a time when you’ve had to get something off of a shelf that was taller than your height. You hyperextended your shoulders in order to reach. But, sometimes, this action is too stressful on the ligaments of the joints, and so they become damaged. What results is inflammation that surrounds the joint area, and ligaments that need to be repaired.

Hyperextension can occur in any joint, including the knee, the shoulder, the neck, the wrist, the elbow, the finger and the ankle. Typically, a person can feel or hear a cracking or popping sensation or sound when they have hyperextended a muscle. The area may immediately hurt, and extension of the joint may seem impossible following an injury. Further, the area will likely become inflamed, with swelling or bruising fairly likely.

What Causes a Hyperextension Injury?

A hyperextension injury is, as we said, the result of overextending the joint. This can happen at any time – whether we are simply reaching for something just too far out of reach, or we are physically exerting ourselves and putting major stress on the joints during the process.

Athletes are, unsurprisingly, at a unique risk of this type of injury. Many athletes push their joints during training exercises, and those who engage in competitive games may hyperextend impulsively, to their detriment. This happens a lot in soccer and football, when athletes are programmed to try to catch or kick the ball without considering their body’s limits.

Dancers and yoga practitioners also tend to develop these types of injuries, as both of these practices involve stretching the body in order to create specific poses and lines. What we know is that hyperextension injuries are more likely among those who have weak muscles of the body. Typically, the muscles can support weight, but if they are lacking in strength, the joints feel the need to overcompensate. For instance, think about a time when you had to lift something heavy. If you didn’t have the body strength to support the weight, you may have relied on your shoulder and elbow joints to carry the burden, which could have caused them to hyperextend.

How is Hyperextension Usually Treated?

Hyperextension is treated according to the severity of the specific injury at hand. More minor injuries will heal themselves, and simply require some anti-inflammatories, ice and rest. This type of hyperextension injury means that the ligaments have not been damaged to the point that they require serious repair work and can repair themselves.

More severe hyperextension injuries can lead to severe pain, and so can take longer to heal. These levels of injuries may require prescription drugs aimed at helping with pain and bringing down inflammation. Some injuries might even be excruciating to the point that they require surgery because the ligaments are too damaged to repair themselves on their own.

CBD for Hyperextension: Is It Actually Effective?

Now, we can go into further details on CBD’s relationship to hyperextension injuries. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, and its job is to bind with cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) located with the tissue and various organs of the body. This binding procedure forces regulatory actions to take place that work together to produce a sense of equilibrium throughout the body’s various systems, which’s known as homeostasis.

CBD is specifically noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, and as we said, the main issue with hyperextension is the inflammation that causes the joints to swell and become painful. In fact, studies show that simply applying CBD topically to the affected area may be profoundly effective.

Additionally, CBD has unique analgesic properties which play a role in pain management by disrupting the communication between the nervous system and pain signals in the brain.

How to Use CBD for Hyperextension

Hyperextension injuries can be mild or severe, but in most cases, at least some level of pain is to be expected. So, if you’re dealing with a hyperextension injury, and are looking for a natural approach to relief, you might want give CBD a try. What we suggest first, however, is having a talk with your doctor/physician about taking it, especially if you’re presently on any sort of medication(s). They might be able to help you customize a routine based on the unique nature of your injury.

CBD can be administered orally (i.e., tinctures, gummies, capsules, etc.) or topically (i.e., creams, roll-ons, lotions, etc.). Each direct delivery method and sub-method product type may be uniquely effective in its own way, and it’s perfectly suitable to use both options simultaneously. Make sure that each product comes from a trusted company that provides lab reports to customers, and that each product has an adequate milligram strength for the severity of your condition.

We know that cannabinoids generally work most effectively when they accumulate in the body over a period of time. This is why we always also suggest that those using CBD for something specific make it part of their daily routine. How come? Well, because it may take up to two weeks for CBD to truly offer the level of effectiveness that you’re looking for.