ChiroCare of FloridaMillions of Americans suffer from a range of conditions causing chronic pain that affect their day-to-day lives.
Conditions like back pain, issues affecting the musculoskeletal system, and joint pains account for millions of people not being able to work or enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures every day.
Chiropractic care has long been one of the most effective forms of treatment for a wide range of these painful conditions.
Chiropractors have a range of approaches when treating an individual’s health issues. Some patients react to certain treatments better than others, however, so it’s often a case of exploring different treatments.
A relatively new form of treatment that is proving very effective for some patients is using CBD oil.
If you’re looking to try a new form of treatment or are interested in the benefits of CBD, here’s everything you need to know about this form of ‘alternative medicine’ and how it’s assisting chiropractic treatments:
Why Use CBD to Assist Chiropractic Treatment?
There are a variety of treatments a chiropractor can use. Some types of pain, specific injuries, and individuals respond to certain treatments better than others.
CBD is one such form of treatment that has risen in popularity in recent years.
If CBD is new to you, it’s one of more than 100 compounds (called cannabinoids) extracted from the cannabis plant.
The human body has what’s called an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system receives signals from cannabinoids. It also produces cannabinoids called endocannabinoids.
This system regulates important functions related to pain, inflammation, and even the immune system. In simple terms, this means CBD cannabinoids can affect how our brains process pain signals.
The first thing people usually ask when they hear it’s extracted from the cannabis plant is, “will I get high in any way?”
The answer to this is “no.” You will not feel any of the effects associated with the recreational use of the cannabis plant.
This is because CBD oil does not contain the cannabinoid found in cannabis that produces the ‘high.’ This compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which they remove from CBD products. Otherwise, it’s kept to a specified maximum.
CBD does, however, possess some powerful pain-relieving properties. Although not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CBD is gaining notoriety for pain management. Many promising studies and medical professionals proclaim its effectiveness.
The legality of using CBD oil does vary from state to state across the U.S. However, in Florida, doctors can use it for pain relief and some other health issues.
It was passed under Senate Bill 1030, known as the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. There are some stipulations around the amount of THC and CBD compounds, but it’s enough to effectively treat pain for some patients.
Proven Benefits of Using CBD Oil to Assist Chiropractic Treatment
One of the most up to date reports published on the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health’s site in April of 2020 concluded that;
“CBD presents an opportunity for the treatment of intractable chronic pain, for which primary treatments are insufficient or not possible.”
This means CBD offers some benefits that traditional treatments cannot achieve. In some cases, patients react more positively to CBD compared to an alternative treatment.
In these studies, several patients were given CBD under controlled studies. There were marked improvements noted in reducing inflammation, pain relief, and quality of sleep.
Like other treatments, the use of CBD is always going to be condition and patient-specific. However, here is a closer look at how it can help with specific types of pain:
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can be difficult to treat. Often, there is no obvious objective cause for the pain, making it hard to identify the cause.
Studies have shown that cannabinoids in CBD can target the glycine receptors in the body. This is something other forms of treatment do not do, and the result for a lot of patients is a reduction in pain and inflammation.
Neuropathic Pain
Damage to the nerves causes Neuropathic pain. A study carried out in 2017 concluded that “Selective cannabinoids provide a small analgesic benefit in patients with chronic NP.”
If you’re currently suffering from neuropathic pain and you’re not satisfied with your treatment, it’s worth considering using CBD oil.
Arthritis Pain
There have been a lot of studies exploring the effects of CBD in relieving pain associated with arthritis. MedicalNewsToday has cited various studies and concluded, “CBD oil can be an effective approach to managing the pain of arthritis.”
Possible Risks and Side Effects of CBD to Consider
As with any substance, you should always make sure you’re well aware of any risks or side effects of using CBD oil.
According to WebMD, the known side effects of CBD oil when taken by mouth include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
Some patients also experience diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite. It’s also important to be aware that taking CBD with other medications may affect how effective they are.
Always discuss your individual circumstances with a doctor before and during any treatments.
What kinds of CBD should I use?
CBD works, however, you need the right product. There are various oils available, so determining how to incorporate CBD into your regiment can be confusing.
It’s always best to discuss this with your chiropractor because he or she can recommend treatment based on your health condition.
However, something to keep in mind is that you will need a valid marijuana license or medical marijuana card (MMJ) here in most areas of the United States. Florida specifically requires one.
We’ve covered everything you need to know about how to get your medical marijuana card at ChiroCare of Florida in this post here
