Muscle injuries are a common problem among people ardently in sports and athletes. Around 10% to 50% of the sports trauma directly or indirectly relates to skeletal muscle injuries. Although these injuries can affect anybody, people who say the field is their second home are more prone to muscle injuries. Muscle injuries can occur in any form, like laceration, contusion, strain, and degenerative diseases. However, primarily a muscle injury occurs due to the overuse of the particular muscle over a long period.
If the muscle injury is significantly painful, one must call the doctor, and it lasts for more than 24 hours. One must visit a hospital if one cannot walk, the swelling and pain are unbearable, or open cuts are present. There is physiotherapy too that one might get help from, and there is also an availability of many medicinal brands that sell ointments, creams, and oils for mild to acute pains (not severe cases). One such formulation available in the market is CBD Oil. No issues if you are hearing the name for the first time. We will guide you through what it is and the possible health benefits.
Know About CBD
Cannabidiol is the scientific name for CBD. It is a non-psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant and is primarily hemp-driven. The narrow leaves of the plant are put into use to extract them from the plant. Although research has few proven health benefits, people worldwide believe that this extract from the cannabis plant benefits pain management, relieving stress, anxiety, depression, and many other conditions.
Like any other cannabis-driven product, it produces intoxication on a mild level. The product is legal in the United Kingdom. Therefore, one should check the laws before buying them.
The Problem Of Foot Sprain
Foot sprain occurs when the foot lands awkwardly, causing ligaments to stretch and tear. Ligaments are tissues that connect or hold one bone to the other. This type of sprain typically occurs due to sporting activities because while playing, our upper body twists and pivots, but the foot stays in one place.
Foot sprains have three levels of injury. They are as follows :
- A small tear in the ligament leads to a Grade I injury. Usually, this type of injury is said to be a minor one.
- Moderate damage occurs when large tears happen in the ligament. This type of injury leads to a Grade II injury.
- Finally, the entire detachment of ligaments from the bones leads to critical or severe damage. This type of injury falls under the Grade III rating.
If a foot sprain occurs on-field, experts recommend immediately icing the foot for 20 minutes and keeping the foot raised to avoid swelling. Experts do not recommend using painkillers, but one might use them if the pain is unbearable. The victim must be sent to the hospital without delay if the sprain is moderate or severe. Getting in touch with a doctor is the best choice in case of a mild injury before doing anything independently.
Benefits Of CBD Oil In Foot Sprain
CBD Oil is known to have many potential health benefits. These benefits include pain relief, anxiety relief, anti-seizure properties, neuroprotective, etc. But, first, let’s discuss the benefits relevant to a sportsperson.
1. Helps To Relieve Pain
Our body produces endocannabinoids which bind to the cannabinoid receptors of our body. The specialized system called the endocannabinoid system in humans is involved in various functions like sleep induction, appetite management, the sensation of pain, and responses of the immune system. CBD may help in pain reduction by affecting the endocannabinoid receptor activity.
The pain-relieving property of CBD is of great benefit to an athlete. It may also reduce inflammation through the same process. It is also known to be effective on back pain and other chronic pains in the body.
2. Aids In A Faster Recovery
CBD oil improves sleep by promoting the calmness of one’s mind. Therefore, it may help a person with insomnia and a tired athlete who has to have a good night’s sleep to go to the training the following day. In addition, it may also reduce stress and relax one’s mind. Both of these properties will be very useful for an athlete because an athlete needs to be physically fit and mentally.
Research suggests that CBD may have neuroprotective properties. This property in the oil would highly benefit a sportsperson because neuroprotection means faster repairing of nerve tissues that get damaged due to an injury. Promoting cell regeneration would promote speedier healing of wounds, reduction in the amount of scarring, and overall muscle development as time passes.
3. Reduces Swelling And Helps In Relaxation
Some studies suggest that CBD oil can reduce inflammation in the same way as it reduces pain. It may act on the endocannabinoid receptor and influence it to reduce the inflammation and the pain that comes with it as a by-product. Research says cannabinoids may also be helpful with mild swelling and inflammation and more acute and severe ones. One needs to know the correct dosage of the extract for one’s body.
Like any other cannabis-driven product, CBD has some intoxication attached to it. But the extract is non-psychoactive, and the intoxication is mild. This property helps in the generation of a euphoric feeling which uplifts the mood and promotes relaxation of the mind. Mind relaxation helps with good sleep, keeps depression and anxiety away, and provides an overall fit life.
Is CBD Oil A Good Option For Athletes?
CBD oil may or may not be a good option for an athlete. Although CBD may have many health benefits, many side effects overshadow the benefits. The side effects include a dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, lethargy, an aggravating amount of anxiety, etc., while overdosing may lead to critical conditions and, in severe cases, death. Like any other cannabis-driven extract, Cannabidiol is addictive, and one with solid willpower should use it. The above side effects vary from person to person. Some people are said to have never faced any side effects, while there are reported cases of deaths from the side effects of CBD oil. One can make no one choice. What’s good for one athlete may bring disaster to another athlete’s life.
Takeaway
Current research shows very few promising results on the health benefits of CBD oil. People from all over the world are said to have benefited from CBD products and demand that governments should make CBD legal worldwide. The authorities in the United Kingdom want more positive results from clinical trials before it accepts that CBD may be helpful for medical purposes. So, until one gets positive results from studies, it is up to one if one wants to try out CBD oil or not.