Does CBD help with exercise-induced pain and inflammation? Here's what you need to know.
Whether you're a seasoned runner training for your next marathon or just pushed yourself a little too hard on your latest run, muscle soreness can put a damper on your progress.
The good news? There are effective ways to relieve those sore muscles and get back on your feet. In this blog, we’ll explore the causes of muscle soreness in runners and discuss new, exciting ways to alleviate the discomfort that comes with a high-impact sport like running.
So, whether you're an ultra-marathon enthusiast or simply love staying active, let's dive in!
Exploring the Causes of Muscle Soreness in Runners
For runners, muscle soreness is a common experience, whether you're pounding the pavement for miles or tackling steep inclines. One of the primary causes is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which typically occurs 24-48 hours after intense or unfamiliar physical activity. DOMS is especially common among runners who push their limits, either by increasing mileage, changing terrain, or intensifying their speed.
Overexertion during long runs or interval training can lead to tiny tears in muscle fibers, resulting in soreness, stiffness, and sometimes muscle spasms. While this muscle damage is part of the natural rebuilding process that helps make muscles stronger, it can be uncomfortable and limit training schedules.
Repetitive stress injuries are another frequent culprit for runners. The constant impact of feet hitting the ground during long-distance running puts stress on muscles, joints, and tendons. Common issues such as shin splints, IT band syndrome, and plantar fasciitis often result in lingering soreness and inflammation.
Beyond physical strain, poor running form or improper footwear can also lead to muscle imbalances and pain. Over time, these small issues can contribute to major discomfort, especially if they aren't addressed early on.
Even non-physical factors can play a role. Mental stress or anxiety before a race or a big training session can cause runners to tense their muscles, leading to tightness and increased risk of injury.
It’s also important to note that muscle soreness could be symptomatic of underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Lyme disease, which may mimic typical post-run soreness but require medical attention. If muscle pain persists or worsens, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial.
By understanding the common triggers of muscle soreness in running—whether it's overexertion, poor mechanics, or stress—you can take the right steps to prevent discomfort and recover faster.
Preventing Muscle Soreness for Runners: Simple Tips to Keep You Moving
For runners, muscle soreness is a part of the journey, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to derail your training. While medical attention is rarely needed for typical soreness, there are effective remedies runners can adopt to manage pain and recover more efficiently. Here are some practical tips to stop the pain before it even starts:
- Ice it: After a tough run, especially on new or challenging terrain, applying ice to sore muscles can reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Consider an ice bath or using ice packs on specific areas like quads, calves, or knees.
- Use compression gear: Compression sleeves, socks, or bandages help increase blood flow and support muscles, reducing soreness and fatigue during and after a run.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration is a common cause of cramping and increased soreness after long runs. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your run and afterward. Electrolyte drinks can also help replenish lost minerals.
- Rest and sleep: Recovery is key. Quality sleep helps your body repair and rebuild muscles after a hard workout. Include rest days in your training routine to give your muscles time to recover. If you struggle with sleep, consider trying our CBD+CBN Sleep Gummies!
- Fuel up with proper nutrition: Nutrition is critical for recovery. Incorporating protein-rich foods within 30 minutes post-run helps repair muscle fibers. Carbohydrates are also essential to replenish glycogen stores for your next run. And don’t forget healthy fats, which support overall recovery.
- Pace yourself: Gradual increases in intensity, distance, or speed prevent overexertion. Instead of running hard every day, vary your training with long, slow runs, tempo runs, and intervals to avoid overloading the same muscle groups.
- Focus on stretching and mobility: Regular stretching, foam rolling, and mobility exercises help keep your muscles and joints flexible and prevent tightness and injury.
- Limit alcohol consumption: While it might be tempting to unwind with a post-run beer, alcohol can slow down muscle recovery and contribute to dehydration. Cutting back on alcohol can help speed up recovery and minimize soreness.
By incorporating these strategies into your running routine, you’ll be better equipped to prevent soreness, recover quickly, and keep moving toward your goals.
The Growing Use of CBD Among Runners
In recent years, CBD has gained popularity among athletes, particularly runners, for its potential to support recovery and overall wellness. While many runners have traditionally relied on stretching, nutrition, and rest to aid in recovery, more are now turning to CBD as part of their routine. The rise in CBD's use stems from its natural origins and its increasing availability in various forms, including oils, topicals, and gummies.
For runners, who often face the challenges of muscle soreness and joint discomfort after intense training, incorporating CBD into their post-run regimen offers an additional way to support their recovery process. Athletes in the running community appreciate CBD for its versatility, allowing them to explore topical options like creams for targeted relief or ingestible forms to support their overall wellness routine.
As more runners share their positive experiences, the conversation around CBD continues to grow. While it’s important for each individual to understand how their body responds to new supplements, the rising interest in CBD suggests it may have a place in the evolving world of recovery for athletes.
CBD For Muscle Soreness
CBD, or cannabidiol, is an all-natural, plant-based solution that is gaining popularity for its numerous potential health benefits, including its ability to relieve muscle soreness. Unlike traditional solutions, such as over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication, CBD has few mild side effects and is generally well-tolerated by most people.
To understand how it is so well-tolerated we first need to understand the endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS. The ECS, is a complex cell-signaling system present in everyone that regulates various bodily functions, including the pain response and inflammation.
The ECS is composed of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes, the primary receptors are CB1 and CB2. While CB1 is found in the brain, CNS, liver, lungs, kidneys, and skin, CB2 is primarily located in the immune system.
CBD topicals may activate CB1 receptors. This can potentially offer a natural pain relief solution without producing psychoactive effects. Thus potentially reducing exercised-induced inflammation for those seeking an all-natural remedy.
Choosing lost range.® CBD to Help Soothe Sore Muscles
Using CBD to relieve muscle soreness can be administered in several ways, and a particularly effective method is by using a topical solution. At lost range.® we offer a variety of topical products that can be applied directly to the affected area for targeted relief.
These exceptional products are loaded with potential pain-relieving ingredients that include menthol, capsicum, camphor, and arnica, plus organic essential oils.
Here are a few products to consider:
Gold Buckle® CBD Muscle & Joint Rub
Our award-winning Gold Buckle® CBD Muscle & Joint Rub is designed to alleviate exercise-induced body aches, pains, muscle soreness, and inflammation. This rich salve contains four times the amount of CBD as our original formula, as well as essential oils and herbs to provide an immediate cooling and warming sensation for fast relief.
Voted America's #1 CBD Cream by CBD Cream Advisor, our 4000mg Gold Buckle Muscle & Joint Rub is handcrafted in small batches, and 100% THC-free. This rub is a powerful and safe option for those seeking relief from muscle and joint discomfort. To apply our highly effective CBD Muscle & Joint Rub, gently massage a thin layer onto any problematic areas experiencing pain or inflammation.
Our lost range.® CBD Muscle & Joint Rub is our flagship product that has helped thousands of pain-experiencing customers. Meticulously handcrafted in small batches with a proprietary blend of essential oils and herbs, this100% natural and THC-free salve contains menthol and camphor, which work together to bring immediate relief and a cooling/warming sensation to soothe body aches and muscle soreness. For optimal results, apply a thin layer of the rub onto the affected area and massage gently.
lost range.® CBD Massage Oil was designed by five star spa professionals to provide customers with a high potency CBD massage oil they can administer in the comfort of their own home. This oil is made with our proprietary herbal-infused grapeseed oil and delivers 250mg of CBD per ounce. This product is 100% THC Free. Avoid eyes, mouth, and open wounds.
Aroma Options:
- Unscented - For a fragrance-free experience
- Lavender - Provides more of a relaxing effect
- Citrus - Delivers an uplifting effect
- Cool Blue - Brings about a cooling & warming effect
- Eucalyptus - Provides an energizing and sinus stimulation effect
Looking to increase your CBD potential? Pair these topicals with our CBD oil tinctures for optimal results.
Why CBD Tinctures for Pain?
CBD tinctures are typically taken orally and are becoming popular among those looking for natural ways to support overall wellness. They come in different concentrations, allowing individuals to choose an amount that best suits their needs, whether it's for occasional use or more regular incorporation into their routine. Many runners and athletes are exploring tinctures as part of their post-exercise regimen, with the flexibility to adjust the dosage based on their personal preferences and recovery goals.
So if you're looking for an entire entourage effect of cannabinoids, try pairing a topical rub with a daily tincture.
Gold Buckle® Full Spectrum CBD Tincture
Our 4000mg lost range® Gold Buckle® Tincture is the ultimate solution for those seeking the most potent daily CBD supplement. This top-of-the-line tincture is formulated with our highest-potency Full-Spectrum CBD. This product is THC compliant with a content of less than 0.3%. When combined with our muscle rub, this powerful duo is guaranteed to provide optimal relief.
Our Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture is a top-notch item that is procured from hemp cultivated in Colorado. This tincture provides a diverse array of advantageous components, encompassing an assortment of cannabinoids besides CBD, along with naturally occurring terpenes, essential vitamins, fatty acids, and proteins.
With only two simple and natural ingredients, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) coconut oil and full-spectrum CBD, this tincture is available in both natural and organic peppermint flavors. This product also has a THC content of less than 0.3%, making it safe and legal to use.
If you're interested in our other line of CBD Oil Tincture products, see here. For all other premium, handcrafted CBD products, see here.
Final Thoughts
CBD can be a natural addition to your recovery routine, especially for runners dealing with post-run muscle soreness and fatigue. Whether you prefer topicals or tinctures, CBD offers versatile options to support muscle recovery and relaxation. At lost range.®, we offer a range of premium CBD topicals and muscle rubs, formulated to provide targeted relief with a gentle touch.
Our products are crafted with high-quality, all-natural ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals, making them a great choice for those who prioritize wellness and recovery. By incorporating lost range.® CBD into your routine, you can trust you're using a safe and effective option to help soothe muscle soreness and keep you moving toward your next goal—whether you're training for your next marathon or simply staying active.
Disclaimer:
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