Chronic pain affects over 50 million adults in the United States alone. Pain has many causes, but they are often unclear. Many people struggle with different types of chronic pain including arthritic sort of discomfort, overall aches, neuropathic pain, and more.
People with severe diseases (i.e., cancer, dravet syndrome, multiple sclerosis, etc.) may also experience persisting pain. Other individuals with certain illnesses can also become more sensitive to pain.
The origin of all pain is through inflammation and the immune response that creates inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be treated through various methods like physical therapy and prescription drugs, but it can also be extremely stubborn to these!
The Types of Pain
Pain can be categorized into 4 types: nociceptive, inflammatory, functional, and neuropathic.
Nociceptive pain is when we feel when a part of our body is injured, and our brain receives the signal of discomfort. Inflammatory has to do with the elevated levels of swelling that can promote further discomfort. Functional does not particularly have a source and this is often common for chronic pain patients since discomfort is usually not localized. Neuropathic has to do with the nervous system and when certain nerves are injured or irritated, this leads to strong aches. However, these all lead back to inflammation.
Dealing With It
The food and drug administration have approved numerous pain relievers like Avinza, Belbuca, and more. These pain medicines are mostly used for those facing chronic discomfort, but bodies can become resistant over time requiring higher dosages. They can also be addictive and/or cause negative side effects.
This issue is something that affects people long-term leaving many exhausted and feeling like there’s nothing more they can do. People with chronic pain experience strong physical symptoms which can be so impactful that it can take a mental toll on many.
The stress of diagnosing people is also emotionally draining as it is very common to not have a clear diagnostic test. For example, fibromyalgia patients do not have a specific biological test that gives a clear indication of the condition. Instead, it is purely diagnosed based on perceived pain on various points on the body and other symptoms.
Taking away that peace of mind of pinning down what the problem is with a definitive diagnosis and treatment course can be extremely tough to deal with, so we empathize with you all.
The Nuances Between Patients
Treating chronic pain is not an easy feat. It takes a lot of trial and error to find a suitable regimen and lifestyle. Unlike other conditions that have a common pill and treatment course, this condition relies on healthcare professionals taking the time to approach each patient holistically. However, with so many patients and strict time limits, there isn’t enough dedication to chronic pain patients.
Many feel they are not seen, heard, or understood because the gravity of the situation and discomfort cannot be empathized with or captured. So, what is available to empower those that deal with this day-to-day?
There are several options to help lessen and manage the pain like prescription medication and physical therapy, but there are so many options that are not commonly visited.
While targeting physical pain can be out of reach, there are many aspects of our lives that we do have control over. Several lifestyle changes can be implemented that with consistency and effort can create a whole lot of positive change.
Fostering Change
Those with different types of pain should be mindful of movement. Exercise does help with boosting happiness and relaxation hormones but getting the motivation to start exercising in the first place can be a mission in itself. This is why it may be important to disregard the common trends of exercise.
You don’t have to stick with high impact workouts. In fact, you should be looking to do things you enjoy. Whether it’s a 30-minute walk with your loved ones, a yoga session, or a cathartic dance class, do anything that will move your body gently and with love.
Another thing often in our control that is extremely impactful is nutrition! While we may not all have the resources to get a dietitian and create a strict meal plan, that’s not entirely necessary. We are all capable of deciphering what our bodies like and don’t like.
This is the time to tap into your inner knowing and intelligence. We know better than anyone else what is good for us. See what types of foods help your body thrive and which ones bring you down. It’s a bit of trial and error, but you got this.
CBD: A New Approach
Cannabidiol, or CBD, oil is something we are all hearing a lot of. After years of cannabis stigmatization due to the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, social acceptance of cannabis’ positive medical impact has taken the word by a storm.
CBD products are nearly found everywhere nowadays, but what makes them so appealing?
The cannabis plant ages back to 2800 BC Chinese medicine where emperors used it for medicinal purposes. This plant has hundreds of cannabinoids and other plant compounds making it an abundant target of research. However, CBD was not even discovered until 1940.
Up to now, there have only been about 100 cannabinoids that have been isolated and identified from the cannabis plant two of them being CBD and THC.
What we know is that THC is very different from CBD. While THC is also very effective at reducing pain, it induces psychoactive effects that may be unsafe and unusable for pets and children.
The hype around CBD started because the FDA approved its first cannabinoid CBD drug for children called Epidiolex in attempt to treat and prevent seizures in children. With high efficacy, CBD became more sought out for to see what else it could help with.
Since CBD was only discovered in 1940, research is premature. However, many recent studies boost the plausibility of CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
One of the key findings in academic papers allude to CBD’s effects on inflammation. The reason why CBD may have such a strong effect on the body’s inflammation is due to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) we all have.
Every human and non-human animal is said to have an ECS. Just like a cardiovascular system, the ECS is also a system of receptors, messengers, moving parts, and more. Unlike most biological systems in charge of organ system specific things like the heart and blood vessels, the ECS affects the immune response, sleep rhythm, digestive system, and more.
We see that CBD may be an effective modulator of the immune system and since inflammation is a direct result of the immune response, there may a big connection.
It’s normal and good to have inflammation. Inflammation enables the body to send more helpful resources to an area that is in need of help and healing. However, excess inflammation can have detrimental effects on us including chronic pain.
The first step to lessening pain could be lessening inflammation, so CBD might be a good place to start. With so many CBD products out there, we understand it must be confusing to find one that feels right for you.
We recommend skipping the weaker concentrations of CBD and slow acting products and jump straight to the high strength potent products. These are the CBD oil tinctures! Tinctures are like medicine droppers, but with CBD instead of medicine. CBD can be taken alongside other vitamins, so having a tincture is easy to implement in your daily routine.
We recommend that those facing chronic pain should first start with taking a full dropper of CBD oil daily. The bottle should have a whole concentration of 1000mg of CBD or above for best effects. The reason we praise tinctures for you is because they are the fastest acting.
Tinctures must be dropped under the tongue in which the CBD oil enters the salivary glands and the bloodstream targeting signs of inflammation more effectively. Should you not like the earthy taste of CBD, opt for CBD capsules which are pre-dosed and packaged for your convenience.
Capsules are flavorless and easy to take alongside other vitamin capsules and gummies. They do take a bit longer to take effect due to having to past the digestive system first, but this is the second-best option. With CBD, consistency and patience is key. You really must listen to your body and see what your body needs more or less of.
Tune in and after 2 weeks see if you are noticing any changes. However, be sure to speak to your healthcare professional before starting a CBD regimen to ensure the CBD doesn’t counteract any of your other medications.
As always, we are here to help and offer guidance. Reach out if you have any questions at all.