How to Take CBD Oil for Carpal Tunnel

Co-authored by Joel Giffin, PT, DPT, CHT and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: January 30, 2023 References

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes chronic pain that might interfere with your daily life, so you likely want relief. CBD oil is a chemical extracted from hemp and marijuana plants that may relieve pain and inflammation without getting you high. You may be able to use CBD oil to treat carpal tunnel syndrome and relieve symptoms. To increase the effectiveness of CBD oil, make lifestyle changes to support your recovery. However, check with your doctor first and consult your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Administering CBD Oil for Carpal Tunnel

1
Use CBD in place of NSAIDs to relieve pain and inflammation. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically causes pain and swelling. Typically, you might use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) to treat these symptoms. However, these medications can cause side effects, so you might replace them with CBD products. Try CBD to see if it relieves your symptoms.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- There’s no scientific evidence that NSAIDs help improve carpal tunnel syndrome, though they may help manage your symptoms. ^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source} If it works for you, CBD oil may work similarly to NSAIDs.
- NSAIDs may cause side effects like bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Additionally, they might irritate your stomach lining, can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, and may damage your kidneys.^{[3]
  X
  Research source} Using CBD instead of NSAIDs may help you avoid these side effects.
2
Experiment to find the dose that works for you. CBD affects everyone differently, and there’s no recommended dosage amount for carpal tunnel syndrome. To find the right dose for you, start with 10 mg to see if that works. If it doesn't relieve your pain and swelling, increase your dose by 10 mg until you find one that works. Use the smallest dose that provides relief.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- There’s no upper threshold for CBD, so you won’t overdose. However, you might experience side effects like diarrhea and fatigue if you take a lot of it.
Advertisement
3
Apply topical CBD oil, cream, or salve directly to your wrist for pain. CBD oils, creams, and salves contain both CBD oil and a carrier, like coconut oil or beeswax. Topical CBD products treat pain at the site, so they’re a good option for managing carpal tunnel pain that’s in your wrist. Put the CBD oil, cream, or salve onto your fingertips, then massage it into your wrist using long strokes or circular motions.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If CBD works for you, your topical product might relieve your pain instantly. However, it could take as long as 30 minutes.
- You can find a CBD oil, cream, or salve at a drugstore, dispensary, or online. Choose the formula that you like best.
- If the first product you try doesn’t work, use a different brand to see if you get better results. Everyone is different, so you might need to experiment to find the right product for you.
Tip: You can use topical CBD products alongside other pain relievers and CBD products for additional pain relief.
4
Use a CBD tincture if you want fast pain and inflammation relief. If taken orally, CBD oil may relieve discomfort and inflammation throughout your body. A tincture is the fastest way to feel results orally. To use the tincture, use the eyedropper that came with your tincture to measure out 1-2 drops. Squeeze the drops under your tongue and hold them in place for 30 seconds before swallowing.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Expect your tincture to take effect in about 15-30 minutes if it works for you.
- Look for tinctures in different flavors for a tastier option.
- Some tinctures are sold in a spray bottle. To use it, apply 1 spritz to each cheek.
Variation: If you hate the taste of your tincture, squeeze 1-2 drops in your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Then, drink the entire glass quickly.
5
Take CBD oil capsules to relieve pain and inflammation with no mess. Capsules are the easiest way to use CBD oil, and you get a measured dose each time. Purchase capsules from a drugstore, dispensary, or online. Then, read the label and take your capsules as directed to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by your carpal tunnel syndrome.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If CBD works for you, expect to feel relief in as little as 30 minutes. However, it may take as long as 90 minutes.
6
Vape CBD oil if you need immediate pain relief. Smoking is the quickest way to ingest CBD, and a vape pen is the easiest and possibly the safest way to smoke it. Attach a CBD oil cartridge to a vape pen battery, then follow the instructions that came with your battery to inhale a puff of CBD. Start with 1 puff to see if it works for you.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You might feel relief in as little as 30 seconds after you use the vape pen.
- If you don’t feel results with 1 puff, increase to 2 puffs to see if it works for you.
- You can purchase a CBD oil cartridge and vape pen battery at a dispensary, smoke shop, or online. The battery is the base of the pen, while the cartridge is the part that holds the CBD oil.
Warning: Vaping might cause lung or respiratory system damage. Additionally, scientific evidence shows it may lead to shortness of breath or chest pain.^{[9]
X
Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
7
Experiment with CBD oil edibles to see if they work for you. While they’re easy, edibles usually aren’t the best option for treating carpal tunnel pain. Unfortunately, edibles typically take 2-4 hours to work and usually don’t provide consistent results. If you want to try CBD edibles to support your pain management plan, you might sample the wide array of candies and snacks available at your local drug store, grocery store, dispensary, or online. However, you may also need to use other CBD products or an over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve your symptoms.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- If you really prefer edibles, you might try consuming them every day at set times to help you find relief. For instance, you might eat a protein bar with CBD for breakfast and gummies as an afternoon snack. This might help control your pain before it starts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes to Support Your Recovery

1
Take frequent breaks during repetitive activities to rest your wrist. Repetitive activities commonly stress your wrist, triggering your carpal tunnel pain. To help manage your symptoms, take a 2-3 minute break every 30 minutes or when you feel pain. This might help you avoid carpal tunnel pain.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source
MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
Go to source}
- If possible, stop doing activities that are triggering your pain. For instance, don’t engage in a hobby that hurts your wrist.
2
Rotate your wrists then stretch your palm and fingers once an hour. Regularly stretching your wrists and hands may help reduce your carpal tunnel pain by relieving pressure on your nerves. Slowly rotate your wrists clockwise 10 times, then reverse and rotate them counterclockwise 10 times. After the rotations, make a fist with your hands, then open the fist and stretch your fingers. Repeat 5 times.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- These exercises might help, but there’s no proof they’ll work. It’s best to work with an occupational therapist to learn how to correctly exercise your wrist.^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
  Go to source}
3
Apply a cold compress to your wrist for 15 minutes if it hurts or swells. When your wrist starts to hurt, drape a towel over your skin and set a cold compress on top of it. Let the compress sit for up to 15 minutes. This may help reduce your pain and swelling.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- A cold compress can be an ice pack or a frozen washcloth.
- Don’t place the compress directly on your skin, as it might damage it.
4
Wear a wrist splint to immobilize your wrist, especially at night. A wrist splint keeps your wrist straight so that the nerve in your wrist is less likely to get compressed. Ask your doctor to recommend a wrist splint for you. Then, wear it according to your doctor’s recommendations.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Typically, you’ll wear the splint at night to keep your wrist straight while you sleep. Additionally, you might wear it during your workday or activities that trigger your pain if your doctor says it’s okay.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

When to Seek Medical Care for Carpal Tunnel

1
Check with your doctor before using CBD oil. While CBD is generally safe, it’s not right for everyone. It may interact with medications you’re taking or could worsen certain medical conditions. Talk to your doctor before you try CBD oil to treat your carpal tunnel to make sure it’s safe for you to use it.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Tell your doctor that you want to use CBD oil to help relieve your carpal tunnel symptoms. They may provide you additional advice for making it work for you.
2
Get a proper diagnosis before treating yourself for carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your wrist and palm, so you’ll likely recognize the symptoms. However, get checked by your doctor to rule out other possible causes and discuss your treatment options. Your doctor can confirm your diagnosis so you get the right treatment.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- If you don’t treat your carpal tunnel syndrome, your nerve might get permanently damaged. Work with your doctor to make sure you get proper treatment.
3
Talk to your doctor about other treatment options if CBD doesn’t help. While CBD may relieve pain and inflammation, it doesn’t work for everyone. Additionally, it only treats your pain, so it can’t cure your carpal tunnel syndrome. If CBD isn’t helping, discuss your other treatment options with your doctor. Your doctor might recommend 1 of the following treatments:^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) for pain and inflammation.
- Corticosteroids for extreme pain and inflammation. These may be taken orally or via an injection administered by your doctor.
- Surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve in very severe cases.
4
Consult your doctor if you have any CBD side effects. Side effects aren’t common with CBD, but you could develop mild side effects. You’re at a greater risk for side effects if you’re using a high dose of CBD. If you develop side effects, they’ll probably be mild and should go away quickly. However, check with your doctor to be safe if you have the following side effects:^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue

Warnings

CBD doesn’t work the same way for everyone, so it may not help your carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, it isn’t a cure for carpal tunnel, so you still need to see your doctor.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0