First of all, there are no quick fixes to manage and relieve pain, whether it is acute or chronic pain. This pain affects our daily activities and our overall quality of life, and of course, needs proper management. In this situation, what doctors do is addressing a holistic approach to pain relief or what they call a bio-psycho-social model. That means looking at all these elements to prepare an individualized treatment for the patient. This way the doctor is able to find out how bad the pain is and what is the overall impact.
A holistic approach to managing pain may help you sleep better, move better, and improve your life. People who experience pain feel the impact on day to day living, at work, with the children, in the relationship, on physical activity, and other activities of daily living. Pain is just the general term that we use to describe various uncomfortable sensations we feel in the body.
What is important to state here is that people have a different perception of pain. As a result, there are no two people who will experience the same pain. Understanding this fact, we come to the conclusion that a pain management plan that is working for someone, does not mean that it will work on someone else. So, being able to find your successful pain management plan may be a bit hard. It may take a lot of time, but with the right professionals, you will find a solution.
What types of pain do we have and what are the differences?
There are two groups of pain:
- acute pain – generally caused by an event, for instance, an injury. Manages to warn the body of damage, unlike chronic pain which does not. Acute pain may last from a few moments up to 6 months depending on the degree of injury. Resolves once the cause of the pain heals, focusing on treatment such as physiotherapy.
- chronic pain – not necessarily associated with an injury or disease. Does not warn the body of damage and has no foreseeable healing endpoint. Resolves by focusing on self-management like following a program by a physiologist.
Natural remedies on pain relief
Exercising of physical activity is very fundamental in treating pain. In fact, exercising should be part of any pain management plan for acute or chronic pain. That is because physical activity promotes various physical and psychological benefits. These benefits are widespread, but let us just mention some of them below. The benefits of exercise include:
- more energy and endorphins which are a natural painkiller
- more strength
- increase stability, control, and balance
- better movement, flexibility, and circulation
- less risk of chronic disease because helps manage weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- increase of self-esteem and confidence
- less stress and depression
- promote a sense of accomplishment
Hemp and CBD products role on pain relief
Hemp or industrial hemp and CBD are cannabis Sativa derivatives. When we think of Cannabis Sativa our thoughts may be all about marijuana and its side effects of addiction and the “high” feeling, but in recent years cannabis substances are gaining a lot of attention for their therapeutic properties. So, cannabis is enjoying a whole different approach because it has tremendous medical potential.
Hemp is very different from marijuana because it contains much less THC or no THC at all. While marijuana contains up to 30% THC, which is the cannabinoid with psychoactive effects on users, hemp may contain less than 0.3%. Under these circumstances cultivating hemp and using hemp extracts is legal by federal law. Hemp contains more than 20% CBD which is the well-known cannabinoid that besides being very beneficial does not cause any side effects, instead it fights issues such as addiction, caused by THC.
So, CBD products such as CBD oil with their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties fight pain. CBD oil is very well known for the positive effects on managing symptoms of pain, inflammation, and other discomforts. We will not get into any more details about CBD, but we recommend you look at it as an option to manage pain. If you, however, decide to use it, talk to your doctor for more information about the usage and dosage of CBD.
In conclusion, relieving or managing pain is not easy and requires a holistic approach. The best way to help you relieve symptoms of pain is by following a pain management plan. A well-prepared plan should include more exercise, healthy eating, better sleep, and a better week plan.