How to Treat Pain With CBD

Pain exists in several forms and can wreak havoc on our day to day, as well as our long-term life plans. But, what exactly is pain? It is a signal from the nervous system that something may be wrong. The sensation of pain is unpleasant and can be delivered as aches, tingles, stings, pricks, and burns. Additionally, pain may vary in strength, from dull and manageable to sharp and excruciating. Even still, pain can arrive intermittently or remain chronically. Most importantly, pain may be indicative of a greater health issue, which is why it is critical to address with a medical professional upon arrival.

With so many pain treatments available today, many patients are turning to CBD in different formats, which is growing in popularity as a healthy, plant-based alternative. Can CBD help you treat pain? Read on to find out!

The Different Types of Pain

Before we discuss how CBD may be able to alleviate pain, it’s important to understand that pain exists in a few variations. The different types of pain to take into consideration include:

•   Acute pain, which is categorized as short term. It is brought on suddenly and is tied to a cause. Acute pain usually begins sharply and intensifies prior to decreasing. Some causes of acute pain include, but are not limited to, cuts and burns, surgery, dental work, broken bones, and childbirth.
•   Chronic pain, which is defined as pain that lasts for longer than six months. Unfortunately, chronic pain can last for years but can range in strength. Chronic pain is common among Americans. In fact, chronic pain impacts approximately 50 million adults in the U.S. Pain related to nerve damage, joints, back, headaches, and fibromyalgia are all categorized as chronic.
•   Neuropathic pain, which indicates nervous system dysfunction or damage. Due to misfiring pain signals, neuropathic pain may arrive from nowhere, instead of as a specific response. This type of pain can deliver feelings of burning, stabbing, freezing, numbness, tingling, electric shock feelings, and more. Those who experience neuropathic pain include diabetics, alcoholics, cancer patients, those with central nervous disorders, and patients diagnosed with HIV.
•   Nociceptive pain, which is the most common. It is stimulated by tissue injury and occurs when electrical pain signals are delivered to the brain. This form of pain can be chronic or acute and is also associated with inflammation. In addition, visceral pain, which is pain associated with the internal organs, and somatic pain, which occurs from the stimulation of the skin, joints, muscles, tissue, and bones, both fall under the nociceptive pain umbrella.

How to Define Pain

Any time you feel pain that concerns you, seek out medical attention. As mentioned above, pain may be an indicator of a more serious issue, so an early definition is critical to your long-term health and comfort. As you experience pain, take the time to define what you are feeling. First, try to pinpoint the length, frequency, and cause of your pain. Then, try to figure out which movements and/or activities worsen the pain, along with where exactly the pain is occurring. Is your pain localized (in one area), or spread throughout your body? Does your pain come in waves, or is it continuous? Next, take the time to jot down some words that describe the pain, like “shooting,” “stabbing,” “cramping,” “dull” and “prickly.” Consider maintaining a pain diary, which is a helpful tool in tracking your symptoms. Keep your diary simple so that you can be consistent with your journal.

How to Treat and Manage Pain

There are many ways to address pain, but most importantly, you must determine if they are safe and effective methods. Although medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) is popular for pain management, there are risks associated with consuming drugs. For example, anti-inflammatory NSAIDs warn against potential heart attacks, strokes, and stomach ulcers, while nerve-blocking medications can be unsuccessful, and at times, dangerous. Furthermore, the fact that the U.S. is undergoing a detrimental opioid crisis right now, should be strongly considered prior to filling a prescription.  

Moreover, many patients turn to physical therapy in search of pain management, which uses different exercises to encourage mobility and improve the mood. Massage therapy, which targets soft-tissue pain, is a short-term solution, but cannot heal chronic pain. Additionally, many progressive patients turn to acupuncture, a traditional Chinese therapy where thin needles are inserted into specific points of the skin. Acupuncture aims to restore balance with the release of endorphins, and some patients find that this treatment reduces the severity of pain, making it more manageable.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, on the other hand, is a natural remedy that may work to reduce pain. CBD is a cannabis-derived compound found in both the hemp and marijuana plant varieties and is one of many cannabinoids studied by doctors and scientists for its health benefits. When paired with other cannabinoids (like THC, CBDa, CBN, and CBG, to name just a few) in a Full Spectrum solution, CBD works synergistically to provide possible relief from pain and inflammation. The Tanasi patent-pending University developed formula of concentrations of CBDA/CBD has also resonated with many of our customers. 

How CBD Is Used to Treat Pain

It’s no secret that CBD oil has been touted as the newest cure-all, but does it really work? At Tanasi, our patent-pending formula developed by Middle Tennessee State University has a 1:1 ratio of CBD to CBDa (cannabidiolic acid), which promotes the “Entourage Effect” of cannabinoids working together to potentially fight against pain and other inflammatory diseases.

How are CBD consumers attempting to treat their pain? With several types of products, actually. CBD is available in the forms of:   

•   Tinctures: Taken sublingually, CBD oil tinctures are quick on the uptake and are one of the more bioavailable options. Tinctures infused with full-spectrum Tanasi CBD oil may work to provide pain relief, as well as mental relaxation associated with discomfort.
•   Edibles and ingestibles: Tanasi pills and drink mixes, along with gummies, candies, and cookies, are all consumed by mouth, but require the digestive system to kick in, which can take up to a few hours before you experience any possible signs of relief.
•   Topicals and transdermals: Salves and lotions from Tanasi, as well as lip balms, are all forms of CBD topicals, while patches and bath bombs are considered transdermals. However, since the skin has a lower absorption rate, potency is key. Fortunately, the body has the ability to absorb the potential benefits of cannabidiol over a long stretch of time, which is promising when attempting to treat lingering bouts of pain.
•   Vapes and inhalants: Smoking hemp flower or vaping a CBD pen may provide more immediate relief. Inhaling CBD is said to be the most bioavailable method of consumption, so if you are comfortable with smoking or vaping to treat inflammatory issues, consider this method.
•   Suppositories: For those seeking vaginal and/or anal relief, CBD suppositories are also an option. Consumers who use CBD suppository products are often attempting to treat sexual pain-related issues.

What Is the Best Pain Treatment Plan?

The ideal pain treatment or management plan is one that meets your personal needs, as well as your wellness regimen. If you are holistic by nature, properly tested and certified CBD products are a safe and organic avenue to explore. Additionally, CBD may be a top alternative to consider when learning how to treat pain if you have struggled with a substance abuse disorder or unfavorable side effects from medication in the past. Still, consider integrating CBD consumption into your current pain management strategy as a way to complement your treatment. For instance, a massage infused with Tanasi CBDA/CBD lotion or a physical therapy session accompanied by Tanasi CBDA/CBD salve may increase your chances of pain relief, versus undergoing treatment without cannabidiol-based additions.  

The Bottom Line

Experimenting with Tanasi CBDA/CBD products, which are backed by the highest levels of purity, potency, and biological activity may be a helpful supplement to your inflammation and pain issues. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, consult with your doctors and/or therapists prior to taking treatment into your own hands. It is also safe practice to discuss CBD prior to consumption with your doctor.