VMCBD13-DIGITAL | Page 73

I would absolutely recommend it to anyone experiencing chronic pain .
I would absolutely recommend it to anyone experiencing chronic pain .

It s brilliant really

Seasoned runner Damian Carter had every intention of competing in the Great Manchester Run after its two-year pandemic hiatus . But his body had other ideas .
“ My doctor diagnosed that I was suffering from arthritis in the knuckle of my big toe a couple of years ago ,” the 54-year-old said .
“ But I didn ’ t really feel any effects until I started training again .
“ It was a strange sensation . After running for about 4K , the ball of my foot would begin to heat up and I could feel every line of the grid of my trainer sole on my foot . It was really uncomfortable .”
Damian blamed his new trainers at first , but then when he had the same problem with the next pair , he knew something else was at play .
“ I pushed through the pain but that began to lead onto other issues ,” he said .
“ I started to experience pain in my hamstring and glute on my right-hand side , probably because I was overcompensating and running almost on the balls of my feet .
“ In all honesty , training was leaving me in agony , I thought I ’ d have to pull out of the race .”
Damian tried everything to stem the pain , from painkillers and insoles to physio and acupuncture .
A friend recommended CBD oil . Damian admits he was dubious at first but he started to notice the benefits after about a week .
“ Previously , I would experience pain when I first put my shoes on because the knuckle of the toe was swollen – then one day I realised I hadn ’ t noticed any pain ,” he said .
“ From there , it has gradually got better and better as I ’ ve been taking it to the point where I ’ m hardly noticing any pain or discomfort at all now , even though I ’ m running greater distances .
“ I don ’ t think we will ever cure it , but it is far more than manageable now whereas before I was finding it so difficult .”
There is limited evidence that CBD can ease arthritis symptoms . Cannabinoids have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation that can result from the condition .
In a 2005 study , 31 patients were given Sativex and 27 given a placebo to take over the course of a month .
The CBD and THC spray is available on the NHS to treat muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis but not arthritis .
Compared to the placebo group , the Sativex patients experienced a notable reduction in pain , including during movement , and improved sleep .
Damian has noticed benefits in his day-to-day life , too . He is self-employed in a stressful job but even when he has big decisions to make , he feels calmer and more relaxed and fells that he ’ s taking it all in his stride .
“ I would absolutely recommend it to anyone experiencing chronic pain . It ’ s brilliant really ,” he said .
Then in the day of this year ’ s event , Damian lined up alongside 15,000 others for the 10-kilometre race across the streets of Manchester . He was delighted to have crossed the finish line under an hour .
“ I ’ m not going to say it wasn ’ t tough , but that ’ s more because the arthritis set back my training than because I was experiencing any pain ,” he said .
“ I had no problems with my toe , my foot or hamstrings , in fact I was pretty comfortable and managed a time of 55 minutes . Not my best , but it hasn ’ t been normal circumstances .
“ I loved every minute of it and I can ’ t wait to get back into training . Come on 2022 – you ’ re mine !”
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