Recovery and Relief for Training Consistency: Using CBD to Relieve Sore Muscles and Aid in Recovery
This blog post was created in partnership with Healist Naturals. All the opinions expressed here are based upon personal experience and are entirely my own.
I sprained my ankle badly in high school. I jumped up for a rebound, and when I came down my ankle buckled and I went down...hard. After an x-ray to ensure it wasn’t broken, I walked out of the hospital on crutches, my ankle immobilized in an air cast. There was no physical therapy. No strengthening exercises. Just the instructions to stay off it and keep it immobile. I’m pretty sure every high school sport-induced ankle sprain in the 90’s was treated in this same manner.
So, if you’re a runner now and you’ve had an issue with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or peroneal tendonitis, you might have your high school ankle sprain to thank. I’ve dealt with both plantar fasciitis and peroneal tendonitis, and while they are resolved now, my right calf tends to be chronically tight after hard or long runs.
Since I can’t always book a massage or make it to the chiropractor when things flare-up, it’s critical that I stay ahead of potential injury with self-massage and pre-hab care. Using topical CBD products has recently become part of my recovery regimen.
CBD for Relief
CBD has become popular among athletes for relieving sore muscles. A recent study showed a significant reduction in DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) when participants in the study consumed a CBD solution. Topical use of CBD has also proved to be effective in reducing muscle soreness. My massage therapist recently switched to using a CBD oil and I noticed a huge difference in my ability to tolerate the pressure of her trigger-point massage. This higher pain tolerance meant she was better able to dig into the adhesions and trigger points to provide relief.
Running Recovery with Healist
I was first introduced to Healist’s line of CBD relief products not long after my DIY 50K. Despite mapping out a route on mostly dirt roads, my knees took a bit of a beating in the final downhill miles of the run. For several weeks post-run, despite adequate rest, my knees hadn’t quite recovered. I started applying Healist’s Relief Infused Patches to the tender areas and noticed immediate relief. What I loved about the patches is that I could apply them and carry on with my day, knowing that the CBD was doing its job. The patches contain 10mg of CBD and provide long-lasting relief for up to 24 hours.
More recently, I’ve been using their Sport Relief Roll-on Gel on my tight calf muscles. In the summer, I tend to hit the track for mid-week workouts and the trails on the weekends--which always take a toll on my cranky ankle. The Sport Relief Roll-on Gel provides post-workout relief and allows me to self-massage and foam roll in a more effective manner.
Benefits for Athletes
Getting that instant topical relief from either the Patch or the Roll-on Gel means I’m able to get back to my training the next day without feeling too beat up. Consistency in training is everything. If I can find relief and recover more efficiently the overall effect of my training will be far greater.
Healist’s rigorous testing and pact for total transparency ensure the quality of their products, essential for athletes training at a high level. All Healist products are triple-lab tested and the lab results are easily viewable online. This gives any athlete peace of mind knowing that the products they are using meet strict standards.
Want to give Healist Relief Products a try? Use code RUN20 at checkout to recieve 20% off your order.
-Sarah