I wouldn't consider myself a chronic pain sufferer, but have some experience and pointers.
There's a variety of different topicals and edibles that are CBD rich or have varying mixtures of CBD/THC, as well as some smokable varieties with a high CBD content (though afaik nothing you can smoke will have zero THC, not even industrial hemp, even if it isn't enough to get psychoactive effects from). As others have already hashed out above the CBD is what does a body good and THC is what gets you stoned.
My mom has suffered with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis for the better part of 20 years in her hands and forearms, and has been attempting to treat with pharmacy options from her GP and rheumatologist with very little success. Keep in mind prior to last year she claims she has never smoked or otherwise consumed any pot products, unlike her degenerate son (me). I live in Colorado which is a med/rec legal state, and while I do smoke and consume edibles periodically I don't generally volunteer it to family (it's expensive!), however I also use a CBD based lotion from Apothecanna (extra strength relieving creme) for when my back or hands hurt from work. She was in town with my dad and sister and was complaining about the pain in her hands, which likely had something to do with the travel time in the car and/or altitude change since they live in MN. Tried some of the extra strength creme and said it's worked better than anything else she's tried. She also got a roller-ball style oil dispenser which she said worked pretty well but I think she likes the lotion better.
My grandfather who is 80 and has some bad back/neck problems (2 fused vertebrae in upper C-spine) has gotten some CBD gummies courtesy of me and they make a huge difference in his mobility and associated attitude especially when he has been traveling in a car. He also uses the lotion for arthritis in his hands, likely brought on from a lifetime of working with them (wonder where I got it from)
Personally I like to smoke and sit in the hot tub, if my back is hurting from work I'll have the wife put some calming creme on it and then do so. Though it doesn't contain an appreciable amount (if any) of CBD I also use Malibu hemp lotion on my hands and feet when they are cracked and generally beat up and dry, seems to be better for dry skin than most and doesn't leave them feeling super oily and slippery like a lot of lotions do even a half hour after application (which I hate)
I get my stuff from Apothecanna thru a local dispensary. Their website here: all natural beauty + wellness | apothecanna
If you have any other questions I'll try my best to answer them