Whether you suffer from the occasional bout of lower back pain or have chronic back pain that’s persisted for months or years, you might’ve heard about people using CBD oil for back pain.
Did you know that pain relief is the #1 reason people use CBD?1
It’s true.
According to a recent Gallup Poll report, 40% of CBD users in the US cite pain as the main reason they use CBD.
Consider this, almost 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their life and the number of people experiencing chronic back pain is on the rise. More than one in three adults claim their back pain negatively impacts everyday activities, including sleep.2
With more and more people looking towards natural alternatives to over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve, CBD seems to have taken the spotlight when it comes to relieving lower back pain and chronic back pain.
If you suffer from back pain and are looking for natural solutions, CBD could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Why Try CBD For Back Pain?
Several people have discovered that taking CBD oil for back pain offers the relief they need.
What exactly is CBD and why use it for back pain?
While you won’t find a lot of CBD oil tinctures or capsules made specifically for back pain, regularly taking a CBD oil tincture or capsule could help relieve chronic or lower back pain over time.
Why?
It’s simple. CBD and other cannabinoids show serious promise for managing both acute and chronic pain.3
CBD Cream For Back Pain?
Using a CBD cream for back pain is the most popular (and effective) way to manage back pain with CBD by far.
What exactly is CBD cream for back pain, though?
CBD cream for back pain is a topical solution made specifically with pain in mind. Typically blended with another proprietary, pain-fighting ingredients, CBD cream goes to work directly on the area it’s applied to provide quick and long-lasting relief.
Research shows serious promise for CBD as a treatment for acute and lower back pain4, and there are several CBD brands that make CBD cream packed with pain-relieving properties.
Determining the best CBD cream for back pain can be both time-consuming and confusing. There are a ton of CBD cream products on the market.
How do you choose the best one?
You let us do it for you.
At CBD School, part of our mission is to provide real information to our readers. We’re passionate about educating the masses about CBD and offering insight on the best CBD products you can find.
From CBD creams and other topical solutions to CBD oil, gummies, capsules, and more, we’ve tested and reviewed dozens of different CBD products and brands.
We’re no strangers to back pain, either. In a previous life, we snowboarded every day for a solid decade. Add another almost decade of working in front of a computer and needless to say, chronic back pain has become persistent.
The following are our top picks for the best CBD cream for back pain you can find.
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How We Chose the Best CBD Pain Cream For Back Pain
If you’re familiar with CBD, you’re well aware that not all CBD products are created equal. When choosing CBD topicals for back pain (or any CBD product), it’s imperative to choose transparent CBD brands dedicated to quality and safety.
Whether it comes to choosing the best CBD products for topical use or oral consumption, we always make sure to keep the following requirements in mind:
Reputable CBD Brands
We only choose transparent CBD brands with a solid reputation in the industry that is dedicated to providing quality products.
Discover: Joy Organics CBD Review
Natural/Non-GMO
Products must be made from all-natural, non-GMO hemp grown in the US. Natural ingredients are present in or produced by nature, produced using a limited amount of processing, and are extracted utilizing simple methods.
Non-GMO is defined as a product that is produced without genetic engineering and its ingredients aren’t developed from GMOs.
Third-Party Lab Test Results
Products must contain third-party lab test results to ensure the cannabinoid levels in the product match what is claimed on the label and there is no presence of heavy metals, molds, or pesticides.
Active and Inactive Ingredients
We look at all active and inactive ingredients to ensure you’re getting the highest quality CBD products available. When possible, we prefer to recommend natural products made without any artificial ingredients.
An active ingredient refers to an ingredient that contains CBD.
Potency
Different people have different needs and desires when it comes to using CBD and CBD pain cream. We look for products with different potencies to meet the needs of as many individuals as possible.
Some brands offer a wider selection of potency when it comes to their products, while others may offer only one or two potencies in the product. We try to use brands and products that offer multiple potencies, but sometimes that isn’t possible.
Variety of Price
We like to include a variety of products at various prices to meet the needs of anyone’s budget. When looking at the price of each product, keep in mind that they will vary depending on strength, serving size, volume, and any other added ingredients.
We attempt to give you all the needed information to allow you to make a decision that meets your specific desires and needs.
Extraction Method
We prefer to only recommend products that are created using clean, safe extraction methods. There are three common extraction methods when it comes to CBD extraction.
Solvent extraction utilizes butane, propane, ethanol, isopropyl, or alcohol to extract the CBD from the plant. It is the cheapest and quickest method of extraction. This is the most dangerous method of extraction.
The olive oil method of extraction was the first method to be utilized for extracting CBD from the plant. It is a clean and cost-effective method of extraction that heats the raw plant material to a temperature that activates the plant. The main issue with this method is that the olive oil that is now activated with CBD must be kept in a dark and cool area to stay fresh which is an issue with CBD producers.
The most common way of extracting CBD is the CO2 method which is the most expensive method due to the cost of the equipment. This extraction method produces a potent, safe, and chlorophyll-free product.
Keeping all this in mind, the following are CBD School’s picks for the best CBD pain creams available on the market.
Best CBD Topicals Reviewed
Best Potency Options
cbdMD : Premium CBD Recover Cream
POTENCY
300MG (2oz total), 750MG (4oz total), 1500MG (4oz total)
HEMP SOURCE
USA GROWN HEMP
ORGANIC
Yes
PRICING
$$
LAB REPORT
Certificate of Analysis can be found on the product page
The 1500mg Premium Recover Cream is the strongest CBD cream available from cbdMD and the best we’ve ever personally tried to relieve chronic lower back pain associated with old injuries.
Read More
While we know the cooling sensation of menthol is beneficial for pain relief, we don’t particularly care for it. This is a non-cooling formula perfect for those who aren’t interested in a cooling CBD cream for back pain. The histamine dihydrochloride offers a slight warming sensation instead that’s not at all overpowering.
You have the option of choosing the type of container, a tub, a squeeze or a pump.
Pros
Three different strength options.
Read More
We found it excellent for quickly relieving our own chronic back pain.
Cons
Not a suitable option for those interested in a cooling CBD cream.
Rich, moisturizing cream made with pain relieving histamine dihydrochloride, broad spectrum CBD and blend of other botanical ingredients.
Read More
Formulated specifically for muscle aches and joint pain.
Available in a tub or squeeze tube in 300mg, 750mg or 1500mg options.
Best Low Potency
CBDPure : CBD Infused Cream
Although it isn’t the strongest CBD cream, we found it to work well for lower back pain associated with our menstrual cycle.
Read More
It comes with a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
We personally found it worked well for lower back pain.
Read More
Made with full spectrum CBD, customers benefit from various compounds present in hemp.
Cons
Although CBDPure claims their products are third party tested, we couldn’t find lab test results on their website.
Designed especially for muscles and joints.
Read More
Made with 250mg full spectrum CBD combined with other natural ingredients like white willow bark and menthol to boost its effectiveness.
Cooling sensation that can help with chronic back pain.
Best Ingredients
Medterra : Pain Cream + CBD
POTENCY
500mg (1.7oz total), 1,000mg (1.7oz total)
HEMP SOURCE
USA GROWN HEMP
ORGANIC
Yes
PRICING
$$
LAB REPORT
Medterra is one of the most trusted names in the industry, and their Pain Cream + CBD has over 500 extremely positive reviews.
Pros
Made with all-natural ingredients.
Read More
Powerful CBD cream for back pain or pain in other areas of the body.
Cons
Because the product is made with CBD isolate, users won’t benefit from other cannabinoids and terpenes.
A combination of advanced natural ingredients known for their pain-fighting properties, including menthol and arnica.
Read More
Free of artificial preservatives and synthetic ingredients.
A convenient pump tube available in 500mg and 1000mg options.
Best for Sports Recovery
Joy Organics : CBD Sports Cream
Hands down, Joy Organics offers some of the most quality products we’ve ever tried, and their Premium CBD Sports Cream is no exception. Our chronic back pain melted away not long after application.
Read More
Third party lab test results are offered on the Joy Organics website. All customers need to do is locate the lot number on the bottom of their products and check the lab results page for their particular product.
Pros
Joy Organics is one of the most trusted names in the CBD industry.
Read More
Made with broad spectrum CBD and a blend of all-natural ingredients known for their pain-relieving properties. Contains zero artificial or synthetic colors or other ingredients.
Cons
Only available in a 400mg option.
Formulated to support healthy muscles.
Read More
Made with 400mg broad spectrum CBD in a convenient 4oz pump container.
Made to use before, during or after activity to help keep you moving throughout the day.
Made with menthol and camphor to provide a cooling effect.
Best Cooling Feeling
CBDfx : Muscle and Joint Pain Relief Cooling Formula
POTENCY
500mg (1.7oz total), 1,000mg (1.7oz total)
HEMP SOURCE
USA GROWN HEMP
ORGANIC
Yes
PRICING
$
LAB REPORT
With the CBD cream 1000mg option, people with serious chronic back pain can find relief with some of the strongest CBD cream available on the market.
Read More
CBDFX offers the ability to pay in installments over time.
Third party lab test results are available right on the product page.
Pros
Two different strength options.
Read More
Can be used for chronic back pain or pain associated with workouts.
Made with broad spectrum CBD.
Cons
Not everyone prefers a cooling formula.
A quick absorbing, cooling CBD cream designed for muscle and joint pain.
Read More
Made with a blend of all-natural ingredients proven to fight pain, including white willow bark, menthol, caffeine and more.
Available in 500mg or 1000mg in a convenient pump tube.
Best Isolate Formula
Green Roads : Muscle and Joint Pain Relief Cream
POTENCY
50mg (0.3oz total/travel size), 150mg (1oz total), 350mg (1oz total)
HEMP SOURCE
USA GROWN HEMP
ORGANIC
Yes
PRICING
$
LAB REPORT
Certificate of Analysis can be found on the product page
We found this non-greasy formula to be an ideal CBD cream for chronic back pain, as well as back pain we tend to experience after working in the garden.
Read More
The 50mg travel size option is perfect for taking with you wherever you go.
It is offered in a couple different strengths to suit the needs of mild to moderate pain.
Third-party lab reports on on the product page and can be accessed there.
Pros
No cooling or warming sensation. Just plain pain relief, perfect for those who don’t want a cooling or warming CBD cream for back pain.
Read More
Free of artificial ingredients.
Cons
Although Green Roads says the product is third party tested, we weren’t taken to anything when we clicked on the lab sheet tab on the product page.
Formulated with soothing botanical ingredients and CBD isolate to provide “on-the-spot support” in an easy pump applicator.
Read More
Available in 150mg or 350mg options. A 50mg travel size option is also available.
Designed specifically for sore muscles and joints.
How Much CBD Cream For Back Pain Should I Use?
How much CBD cream should you use for lower back pain, chronic back pain, and the like?
Honestly, it all depends.
When it comes to figuring out how much CBD cream to use and how often to use it, it’s different for everyone.
If not recommended by a doctor who tells you specifically how much cream to use, it’s best to start with a smaller amount (think dime-sized) and gradually increase it until you feel the effects you’re looking for.
CBD creams work differently than CBD oil that is consumed orally. CBD creams are applied topically and offer localized results with effects that are typically felt rapidly after application.
Your best bet is to apply a dime-quarter sized amount on the area you’re experiencing pain and wait 10-30 minutes to see how you feel.
Related: Using CBD Oil for Pain
If you don’t feel anything after an hour, you might then try to use a bit more.
The effects of CBD cream for back pain is different for everyone, but you might expect the effects to last anywhere from 1-3 hours.
How To Use CBD Oil For Back Pain?
When using CBD oil for back pain, your best bet is to stick with a CBD topical solution. As we mentioned, CBD creams and other topicals offer localized relief and many are designed with pain in mind.
If you don’t want to use a CBD cream to manage back pain, you can try a CBD oil for back pain, but the effects won’t typically be almost immediate like a CBD cream.
If you choose CBD oil tinctures or capsules for back pain, consider taking a specific serving size, once or twice daily for at least two weeks before expecting any results.
We highly recommend a CBD cream over a CBD oil tincture or capsule when looking to specifically manage back pain.
Is CBD Legal?
When CBD is sourced from the hemp plant and meets certain legal requirements, it is considered legal under federal law.5 According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.
CBD Safety and Side Effects
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), naturally occurring CBD is considered safe and well-tolerated in humans and animals.6
It’s always recommended to read the ingredient list of CBD creams, especially you’re prone to skin sensitivities when using creams or lotions. Many are made with active ingredients that may irritate the skin of some individuals.
Summary - The Best CBD Creams For Back Pain
CBD creams are a wildly popular solution for those interested in naturally managing chronic and acute back pain with CBD.
Whether you’re prone to back pain after a workout, suffer chronic back pain, or occasionally experience lower back pain, applying a CBD cream to the affected area could offer the pain relief you’re looking for.
Have you used CBD cream for back pain? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
References
1Brenan, M. (2019, August 7). 14% of Americans say they use CBD products. Gallup.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022
2Freburger, J. K., Holmes, G. M., Agans, R. P., Jackman, A. M., Darter, J. D., Wallace, A. S., Castel, L. D., Kalsbeek, W. D., & Carey, T. S. (2009). The rising prevalence of chronic low back pain. Archives of internal medicine, 169(3), 251–258. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2008.543
3Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 1259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259
4Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review. Journal of opioid management, 16(3), 215–218. https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2020.0570
5FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD), FDA.gov, 01/22/2021
6(n.d.). (rep.). Cannabidiol (CBD) Pre-Review Report Agenda Item 5.2 (Vol. Thirty-ninth Meeting, pp. November 6-November 10, 2017). Geneva.
