If you experience frequent pain during the activities necessary to live your daily life, you’re not alone. The CDC estimates that as many as 40% of people within the United States may experience chronic pain, making pain one of the most common reasons adults seek medical treatment. Often, however, people don’t seek treatment for pain until after they’ve tried alternate therapies like icing the area, using a heating pad, or experimented with several over-the-counter oral medications first.

After a meeting with a medical provider, a common next step in pain management is the stronger—generally more effective—pain pills available only by prescription. Oral pain medications are so common they’re considered the old standby—the go-to method of treating pain, often to the effect of ignoring other, potentially more effective, methods. However, since oral pain medications can cause issues for many people experiencing chronic pain, many doctors and pharmacists are now considering topical pain relief gels and creams as a viable alternative to traditional pain pills.

What Is Topical Pain Medication?

Whether administered orally or applied to the skin, most pain relievers (or analgesics) work to prevent your body’s chemicals from providing pain signals to your brain. These chemicals, known as prostaglandins, are hormones that can cause inflammation and cause the surrounding nerves in the area to transmit pain signals to your brain. While both oral and topical medications block the effects of prostaglandins, they do so differently.

There are several forms of topical pain medications in use today, most available as a compounded cream, a gel, or even as a pain-relieving patch, depending on the formulation. While the major method of pain relief in use includes interfering with prostaglandins, other methods can be used instead of—or in conjunction with—prostaglandin blocking. Types of topical pain medications include:

Benefits of Topical Pain Relievers

While some creams, gels, and patches contain only a single type of topical pain reliever, many compounded creams and gels contain salicylate or other NSAID in conjunction with a counterirritant. These topical pain relievers offer multiple benefits over common over-the-counter and prescription oral medications. We’ve compiled a list of benefits of topical pain relievers, but keep in mind that these benefits depend on the formulation and may not apply to some prescription-strength topical opioids and steroids.

Benefits include:

If you’re wary of pain pills and other oral pain medications for some of the reasons listed above, a quality topical pain reliever may be the best solution for you. These specially formulated medications can be useful for pain relief associated with conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, muscle pain, and more. Your pharmacist can speak with your doctor to determine which combination of active ingredients and which formulations—including compounded pain relief creams and compounded transdermal gels—may work best to relieve your pain long-term.

We get it, it’s hard to break bad habits. But when it comes to building healthy habits, small decisions add up over time.

Exercise physiologist Christopher Travers, MS, and dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, offers some diet, nutrition and fitness ideas that you can incorporate into your busy life to be healthier every day.

1. Use stairs and furniture as makeshift gym equipment

If you have stairs at your home or office, take them every chance you get. Don’t stop there, though. For a strong cardio workout, walk up and down the stairs repeatedly. Start with a limited number of repetitions and then increase them as you feel stronger.

Get even more creative by using wine bottles or a gallon of water as weights and your kitchen chairs for planks and tricep dip exercises. Why buy expensive equipment when you can utilize your furniture instead?

2. Drink 1 extra glass of water a day

It’s nothing new that there are health benefits to drinking more water. It helps keep your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues and gets rid of wastes through urination, sweat and bowel movements. Since 50 to 75% of your weight is water, drinking some plain old H2O is imperative in keeping your body working the best it can and staying hydrated. If plain water isn’t your favorite, you can add flavor to your water to help up your intake.

3. Replace diet soda with carbonated water

Research suggests the brain reacts to artificial sweeteners much like it does to sugary sweets.

“If you drink diet soda each day, use carbonated mineral water to help wean yourself off of it,” says Jeffers. “Ingesting them frequently can increase your desire for high-calorie foods and put you at risk for weight gain.”

If you’re not a fan of carbonated water, try drinking unflavored tea, coffee or fruit-infused plain water. Quitting cold turkey isn’t realistic but if you start decreasing the amount of diet soda and artificial sweeteners you ingest, you’ll be doing wonders for both your waistline and your health.

4. Take a 10-minute walk

“Even a 10-minute walk can help boost your cardiovascular health,” says Travers. “Take a walk during your lunch hour or to a store that is a block away to buy a gallon of milk — it’s all good for you.”

If you’re at work, walk to the furthest bathroom and take the stairs. While running errands, try to find the farthest parking spot and walk from there. Remember, even the smallest amount of steps still add up.

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate and the last thing you want to do is go outside when it’s snowing or windy, but don’t let cold weather deter you. You can often walk comfortably by dressing right: Start with a sweat-wicking layer next to your body, add insulating layers for warmth, and top them off with a waterproof shell.

5. Correct your posture

When you were a kid, have your parents ever yelled at you for having bad posture? Well, the bad news is that they were right. Having good posture can prevent aches and can also reduce stress on your ligaments. Not only that, but good posture prevents backache, fatigue and muscle pain.

“You can try to leave yourself a note to sit up straight until it becomes an unconscious habit,” says Travers. “Walking with your shoulders back and head held high can also make you feel good about yourself.”

While teaching yourself to have better posture isn’t something that can be fixed right away, reminding yourself to sit up straight has a positive effect on your overall health.

6. Go to bed ½ hour earlier

Do you sleep a solid seven or eight hours most nights? Many of us don’t but experts say this is a marker of good heart health. Solid sleep doesn’t just give you more energy, it can also help with healthy eating goals. When you’re short on sleep, it reduces your body’s production of hormones that suppress appetite, which can contribute to weight gain. You may have a higher risk of heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure if you suffer from untreated insomnia or sleep apnea, too.

Those seven to eight hours don’t have to be consecutive. If you’re feeling particularly tired, try to sneak in a short nap early in the day. Don’t overdo it, though. Limit your naps to 30 minutes to avoid falling asleep later than you should.

Try to head to bed ½ hour earlier than your usual time. Turn off your phone (we promise you won’t miss anything!) and wind down with a book. You’ll be falling asleep in no time.

7. Incorporate balance exercises into your routine

Balance on one leg for 10 seconds at a time, then switch to the other leg. Travers suggests incorporating this balance exercise into your routine, but it can also be done while brushing your teeth or standing in a line. It’s a part of neuromotor training, which helps you improve your balance, agility and mobility — all things you need in everyday movement and in other forms of exercise.

8. Weigh yourself every week

To keep your weight from creeping up on you, set a weekly maintenance or loss goal for yourself, write it down and check yourself against that goal. Weigh yourself each week on the same day and at the same time – and wearing the same amount of clothing for consistency. It’s important to be mindful of clothes fitting and scale measure.

Team up with your doctor or dietitian to create meal plans so you can reach your weight loss goals faster and in the healthiest way possible.

9. Start off your day with a healthy breakfast

Eat something high in fiber that includes protein to keep you full and energized. If you start the day out right, you tend to eat better overall and it helps lower your risk of diabetes and improves heart health. Not only that, but eating breakfast helps reduce brain fog, so you’ll be ready to go for those morning meetings.

Tired of the same bowl of oatmeal? Add different toppings to make it more exciting. Omelets don’t have to be boring, either. Throw your favorite salsa, cheese and eggs into a whole grain wrap for a quick and easy breakfast burrito. The options are endless.

10. Include greens and lettuce in your meals

Incorporate lettuce into your meals to add nutrients and water to your diet. The fiber in lettuce helps to fill you up and it does so at just 20 calories per serving. Lettuces that are dark green and reddish in color are the most nutritious and the most flavorful. But even the popular, pale iceberg lettuce provides water, fiber and folate.

11. Find creative substitutions for unhealthy foods

Work to eliminate foods and snacks that you buy regularly that are high in calories but low on their health benefit. Eat them less often as an occasional treat. Try using low-fat dairy, whole grains, healthy oils like avocado and olive oil and natural sweeteners like fruit instead of high fat or sugary alternatives.

“Remember that building new healthy habits can take some time and it’s OK to treat yourself to avoid feeling deprived,” says Jeffers. “Stay focused on your goal, and if you slip along the way, just start again.”

There are a wide variety of natural remedies to soothe your back, which can help reduce the intake of medications or provide an added benefit to your existing medical treatment.

Take a look at these natural pain-relieving strategies and find out what works best for you:

Read on to learn more about effective pain-relieving strategies for chronic back pain from natural methods.

1. Enjoy an anti-inflammatory drink every day

When you consume anti-inflammatory foods regularly, several antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer agents can build up in your blood. Over a period of time, these potent agents can play a significant role in reducing and/or eliminating inflammatory reactions in the body.

Consuming these healthy drinks on a regular basis may help reduce your back pain.

Turmeric milk

Turmeric, an Asian spice, contains antioxidant, anti-arthritic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

An easy method to consume turmeric is to mix a small quantity (1/2 teaspoon) of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. You can add honey or stevia to the milk if you prefer a sweet taste. Consume this drink, preferably just before bedtime to allow the anti-inflammatory process to work while you sleep.

Consuming dairy products may increase inflammation in some people. In such cases, trying plant-based milk, such as almond milk can be helpful.

Tart cherry juice

Cherries are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Cherry juice can help relieve muscle pain, which may be chronic or exercise-induced. Cherry juice is easily available to buy at grocery stores and commonly contains the tart cherry extract. Try drinking a glass of cherry juice on a daily basis and see if it has positive effects in relieving your back pain.

Ginger-green tea

You can also try infused-herbal drinks, such as ginger-green tea, which contains the pain-relieving benefits of both green tea and ginger. Ginger-green tea bags can be purchased from grocery stores and you can easily enjoy a cup either at work or at home.

Over a period of time, these anti-inflammatory agents can build up in your bloodstream, so including these drinks in your daily diet will help reduce overall inflammation and prevent new inflammatory pain.

2. Fall asleep faster and sleep longer

When you have a restful night’s sleep, your back will feel less sore during the day. A night of restorative sleep can have healing benefits and make you feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and less stressed.

Try these natural sleep aids, one at a time, to see which one works best for you:

• Vitamins C and B6. The natural steroids in your body control your metabolism and promote good sleep. Supplements of vitamins C and B6 are known to help the body produce and regulate natural steroid hormones.
• Melatonin. Your natural sleep hormone, melatonin can be taken as a supplement to improve your sleep cycle.
• L-theanine. An amino acid found in tea leaves, L-theanine may help some people feel relaxed and get better sleep.
• Valerian. Supplements made from the root of the valerian plant may help you sleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Another option is cherry juice or cherry extracts—cherries contain certain enzymes that help promote better sleep.

3. Avoid prolonged static posture

It is important to pay attention to the joints and muscles of your spine and hip. Prevent fatigue and stresses on these joints by following simple tips, such as:

• Avoid excessive sitting or consider using a standing desk while you work. When you sit for a long duration, the pressure on your spinal discs increase. Aim to get up every hour and walk a short distance to take the load off your discs.
• Check your posture and adjust your neck, shoulder, and back alignment to prevent stresses on your spine. Poor, unsupported posture can lead to several problems in your back, causing or increasing the pain.
• Rotate activities in order to avoid the same set of muscles and joints from getting over-fatigued. For example, if you have been standing and working for some time, consider changing to a different activity where you can sit down. You can go back to standing once the muscles and joints have had a chance to relax.

When you have a flare-up of symptoms, consider less exertive activities, such as reading a book, listening to music, or crafting. These activities can help divert your mind from the pain and let your back rest at the same time.

4. Gently stretch your joints and soft tissues through yoga

Yoga is an effective way to stretch your back, improve the health of muscles and joints, enhance distribution of healing nutrients through blood circulation, and increase the flexibility of the spine.

When you start, perform the stretches slowly and advance only if you feel comfortable without pain. Gradually, you will be able to add more stretches to your routine. An ideal time for yoga is early morning—to help loosen your spine and also reduce stiffness and aches in your back.

5. Try mindful meditation

Meditation is a great way to improve concentration, release feel-good hormones (endorphins), and decrease anxiety and stress. Through mindful meditation, you can control the way your body perceives pain.

Find a quiet, dark room and meditate for 5 to 10 minutes in the morning. You can also try meditating before bedtime or while you take a break at work. If you don’t like to meditate, try simple breathing exercises—take 10 deep, slow breaths in a row.

6. Support your body in a warm pool

The buoyancy of the water lets you enjoy the benefits of exercise with less pain. Exercising in water also helps regulate the functioning of nerves and muscles, relieving pain.

If you prefer warmer pools, look into water exercise classes and hydrotherapy pools. Water therapy exercises are often done in water that is about 83 degrees to 88 degrees. Hydrotherapy pool temperatures are often more than 90 degrees.

7. Keep a self-activating heat patch handy

Heat patches that activate when in contact with the body are a great tool to carry during long drives or keep in your office desk/bedside table drawer. These heat patches activate quickly, can be worn inside your clothing, and provide a continuous supply of heat to relieve your back pain. Follow the package instructions and avoid wearing the patch for long durations to prevent skin damage. Some heat patches are also infused with medications for more effective pain relief.

Bonus tip: Consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement

If your doctor agrees, consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement. Vitamin D is essential for bone, neuromuscular, and immune system function. Taking a vitamin D3 supplement can help reduce back pain by increasing the absorption of calcium in your body and improving bone strength.

Finding the perfect pain relief technique is usually a process of trial and error, making it worth exploring various approaches. Try these natural pain-relieving strategies for your back pain and see what works best for you. Severe pain that is not relieved by self-care must be evaluated by a health professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

By Tom Bowen
I’ve been living with chronic pain for more than a decade.

It began in 2009 with nerve damage after emergency groin surgery. Four years later, I fell and hit my head. That fall led to a constant headache, a whistling sound in my ear, back and hip pain, tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, electrical shocks in my legs, muscle soreness, and random pain and burning sensations throughout my body. Years later, after numerous doctor visits and tests, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, tinnitus, neuropathy, chronic fatigue, and depression.

I had a hard time adjusting to the pain. I let my symptoms control me. My quality of life suffered along with my physical conditioning.

Here are five things I wish I had known earlier in this journey, much of which I learned while attending a three-week outpatient program at the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center in 2012 and again in 2018. Each of these would have made my journey easier and might help others living with chronic pain.

Pain isn’t just physical. Chronic pain clearly affects the body, but it also affects emotions, relationships, and the mind. It can cause anxiety and depression which, in turn, can make pain worse.

At work, I couldn’t handle the stress. I had trouble concentrating, missed deadlines, and made mistakes. At home, I didn’t sleep well and was irritable. I was plagued by negative thoughts like, “Do I want to live like this the rest of my life?” When I reluctantly quit my job at the recommendation of my doctors, I lost more than a regular paycheck and valuable benefits like health insurance and retirement savings: I also lost a sense of self-purpose and self-worth.

As I came to understand the connection between pain and emotional issues, I included mental health care as part of my pain management program to help control my mood and manage stress.

Pain isn’t always curable. Medical professionals don’t have all the answers, nor do they always have cures. There is no magic pill or intervention that makes chronic pain disappear. Sadly, some people with chronic pain may never be pain free again.

To try to relieve my pain, I’ve bounced between all types of health care providers: primary care physicians, pain specialists, rheumatologists, neurologists, audiologists, physical therapists, surgeons, and psychiatrists. I’ve been through X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, and all sorts of other diagnostic tests. I’ve taken opioid painkillers, non-opioid painkillers, vitamins, and herbs; attended professional lectures; spent countless hours searching the internet; and even had surgery. Some of these helped relieve my pain, some didn’t, and some even made things worse. Meanwhile, they all cost me time and money and delayed my pain rehabilitation.

Not all pain means harm. We learn at an early age that touching something hot hurts. But the presence of pain doesn’t always mean danger.

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain is the body’s normal response to tissue damage or injury and needs immediate medical treatment. It heals and generally lasts less than three months. Chronic pain is an abnormal response and doesn’t improve with time. It can occur in the absence of tissue damage and persist long after the body heals. It changes how nerves and the brain process pain, as misfiring nerve signals continue to tell the body it hurts.

By being able to tell the difference between new acute pain and chronic pain, I have changed how I react to chronic pain by not being so guarded or worried about it.

Change thinking, change life. Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Chronic pain makes it easy to feel distressed, to give up and become a victim. “Woe is me,” “life isn’t fair,” and other unhelpful thoughts increase one’s focus on pain and can make it worse. It fosters anger, frustration, and hopelessness. And it leads to what experts’ call pain catastrophizing — an exaggerated negative response toward actual or anticipated pain.

I did my share of catastrophizing. When my symptoms first started, all I could think about was how much I hurt and if the suffering would ever end. I even journaled symptoms and rated my pain each day so I could share with my doctors what I was experiencing. I became overwhelmed.

Move on. If chronic pain doesn’t mean more harm and there aren’t any magical medical answers, what’s left to do? Accept the pain as the “new normal,” adapt to it, and learn how to manage it. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

Here are some of the tools I have found helpful to calm the body and mind and make it easier to function include:

• Reduce pain behaviors. The body’s natural physical, vocal, and verbal reactions to pain, such as rubbing, wincing, groaning, limiting activity, and complaining, fuel anxiety and intensify pain. I try to avoid these behaviors so as not to draw attention to my pain.
• It’s harder to hurt when you don’t think about it. I often use watching a funny movie, listening to music, talking to a friend, or doing some other social activity to focus on something other than the pain.

• Exercise. While it may seem counterintuitive, movement helps reduce pain and improves conditioning. I try to walk each day even though my body hurts.

• People with chronic pain often do too much when they are having good days and not enough when they are having bad days. I have learned limits and try to pace myself so I don’t worsen my symptoms.
• Why make things harder than what they are? Techniques like good body mechanics make activities easier, not harder. Heavy lifting, for example, makes my pain worse. So instead of carrying a heavy load in one trip, I divide it into lighter loads and make multiple trips.
• Pain and tension can form a viscous circle. Muscles tighten and put pressure on nerves resulting in even more pain. I do deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises to help reduce tension.

In loss, there is gain

Though my losses to chronic pain over the last decade have been steep, I have also gained much through the experience. I gained a new respect for myself, knowing I am in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling me. I gained new friendships. And I am gaining new purpose in helping others manage their own pain. I have set a new course for my journey.

The use of cannabis and medical marijuana is the most popular new scoop in various parts of the world. The benefits and favors that cannabis provide are making the people overwhelmed all over the world. Recent researches done on cannabis are taking the medical industry with a storm. However additional studies and work are still needed in the field of cannabis to unveil its qualities.

With that said, many countries around the globe are understanding the need for using cannabis for medical purposes therefore many countries and some states in the USA have made laws for the use of cannabis. It has been legalized in some parts of the world.

As a matter of fact that marijuana or cannabis has been a form of medicine and has helped in dealing with various diseases for ancient ages; it has been only recent times when governments imposed restrictions on using cannabis. However recent developments and information in this regard have led the governments to legalize cannabis, due to which numerous forms of cannabis-infused medicinal varieties appear in the market. These varieties include CBD oil, CBD tincture, CBD edibles, CBD vaporizer, and CBD creams, lotions, and ointments.

What Are CBD Creams?

In order to understand CBD creams, you must have an understanding of what actually is CBD. CBD is referred to as cannabidiol which is one of the various chemical compounds called cannabinoids found in the plant of cannabis. The other famous cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol THC, both the cannabinoids have their own benefits but the fact that differs them is that CBD is a non-psychoactive compound whereas THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid and it can alter a person’s state of mind and can make him high.

CBD creams are simply a cream or lotion that is infused with the most concentrated form of CBD. The CBD compound that is added to CBD creams is extracted by using a CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction is one of the purest and cleanest forms of extracting CBD. This method of extraction also makes sure that there are no solvents left in the extracted concentrate of CBD, as these solvents can be harmful to the skin. In order to make CBD creams, different essential oils like olive oil, coconut oil as well as cocoa butter or sheer butter are added to CBD oil to give it a form of the cream or lotion.

A popular misconception about CBD creams that people have is that it will make them high. But the reality is the opposite of this concept, CBD creams can never make any person high. As CBD creams are applied on top layers of the skin, it does not become a part of the person’s bloodstream. This is the reason that CBD creams are also called topical. Since CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant, which is the industrial version of the cannabis plant and it provides a high content of CBD and very low content of THC, which makes CBD oil legal. However, CBD oil is consumed sublingually, it becomes a part of the bloodstream. CBD creams are also popular because of the reason that it does not make a drug test appear positive.

Benefits of CBD Cream:

There are many wonderful and mind-blowing medicinal benefits of using CBD creams on the skin. As CBD provides anti-inflammatory properties wither consumed orally or applied topically. CBD creams are a better alternative for pain relief than CBD oil as it can be applied directly to the area where a person feels pain and it will be more effective in that particular area as compared to CBD oil which provides general pain relief in the body. CBD creams have a localized effect on a person’s body to alleviate pain.

Moreover, CBD cream is all-natural and organic and it does not contain any side effects that most painkillers have. The majority of people enjoy the application of CBD creams for muscle or joint pains, it has also proven effective in relieving arthritis.

When CBD creams are applied on the skin, the CBD interacts with the natural receptor of the human body that is a CB2 receptor and provides a signal to the endocannabinoid system to reduce pain and inflammation. Besides dealing with chronic pain, acute pain, sore muscles, and sore joints CBD creams are also used for dealing with a number of skin diseases including eczema, psoriasis, rashes, skin infections, and sunburns. It also helps in inhibiting the buildup of dead skin cells and soothing pain caused by various skin infections.

Other than that, recent research found out that CBD oil consists of more antioxidants than most of the essential oils. This is the reason that many people have included CBD creams as a part of their skincare regime. CBD creams provide various medicinal qualities as well as anti-aging properties and make the skin appear smooth and youthful.

But is CBD really worth the hype?

In many situations, yes, especially if you’re looking for a natural pain management solution. We’ve compiled seven benefits of using CBD for pain management below so you can decide if cannabidiol extract is right for you.

1. CBD COMES IN MANY FORMS

Hate swallowing pills or capsules? Many people take CBD orally, but that’s not your only option. You can also try tinctures or oils, vape CBD, gobble down edibles, or massage CBD-infused lotion into your skin. Let’s do a brief rundown of each method below:

CBD PILLS AND CAPSULES

Pills and capsules are typically filled with a liquid version of CBD combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Depending on your digestive system, you can take CBD capsules with or without food. However, there may be a delay in symptom relief, as you have to wait until your body breaks down the capsule and distributes its contents.

You can get CBD pills without a prescription, but the FDA has approved a cannabidiol prescription drug called Epidiolex for epilepsy patients.

OILS AND TINCTURES

People who dislike pills often appreciate the convenience of tinctures that you ingest. Simply place a drop of the tincture under your tongue and wait for pain relief.

Oils are sometimes edible, but they’re generally designed for topical use. When using CBD for pain management, apply the oil where you have aches, burning, tingling, or stiffness.

LOTIONS AND CREAMS

CBD lotions and creams are made for topical use. You can massage these products directly into your skin for fast-acting pain relief as well as skin-moisturizing benefits.

GUMMIES AND OTHER EDIBLES

CBD edibles often come in candy form. You can find gummy bears, fruit chews, caramels, and chocolate with CBD on the ingredient list. Some people make their own edibles by adding food-grade CBD oil to brownies or cookie dough.

CBD FOR VAPING

Vaporized CBD oil goes straight from your lungs to your bloodstream, providing fast relief from painful symptoms. Be careful, though — vaping anything, even natural CBD oil, may still damage your health.

With so many options available, from pills to vaping, it’s easy to find a way to incorporate CBD into your pain management routine. If you aren’t sure which form of CBD is right for you, experiment with a few different types to figure out which offers the most benefits.

2. DIFFERENT TYPES OF CBD EXTRACTS ARE AVAILABLE

Shopping for CBD products can feel overwhelming, and many people wonder: Are all these products the same, just with different labels? The answer is no, they’re not — and we’ll explain why.

Check out the label or ingredient list on the CBD product you want to try. You may notice terms such as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate. These words describe the type of CBD inside.

Let’s quickly break down each term to help you choose CBD for pain management or other purposes:

HEMP SEED OIL

Despite common misconceptions, hemp seed oil is not the same as CBD oil, nor does it contain any phytocannabinoids. Hemp seed oil is derived from hemp seeds during a cold-press process. Hemp can be a part of a heart-healthy diet but look for another product if you actually want CBD.

CBD ISOLATE

As its name suggests, CBD isolate contains CBD. However, you won’t find any other phytocannabinoids in this simple compound.

BROAD SPECTRUM

Broad-spectrum CBD products are a step up from isolates. They contain all of a plant’s phytocannabinoids, but they don’t have any THC (the drug found in marijuana associated with causing a “high”).

FULL SPECTRUM

Full-spectrum CBD products offer numerous nutritional benefits for your body. If you buy a full-spectrum product, you’re getting something derived from the entire cannabis plant, including the parts with THC, CBC, and CBG. These are phytocannabinoids that help reduce pain signals in the brain.

NANO CBD

Nano CBD is made from shrunken molecules that are water soluble. It’s ideal for people who need an easy-to-digest CBD product that delivers nearly immediate symptom relief.

The form of CBD you choose depends on what you plan to treat. If you want to enhance your overall well-being, choose a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum product. Topical isolates may work well for patients who just want to manage pain in a specific location.

3. CBD HELPS REDUCE JOINT INFLAMMATION

If you’ve read some of our other blog posts, you may remember that inflammation is the culprit behind numerous symptoms and conditions we treat at NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine.

Wondering what that has to do with CBD?

Well, research indicates that CBD helps reduce inflammation in the joints, particularly when osteoarthritis is involved. The 2017 study found that not only does CBD help reduce pain, it also helps prevent nerve damage when administered via injections. Thwarting the development of nerve damage in arthritic patients may help stop the condition from worsening.

4. CBD HAS ANTIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES

If you’ve got slow-healing wounds from diabetes or other conditions, CBD may help enhance your recovery. CBD has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can speed up your recovery time and also fend off infections.

When using CBD for wounds or blisters, you may want to apply it directly to the affected area rather than ingesting it. This helps create a protective barrier around the injured skin and ensure that nutrients are distributed where they’re needed most.

5. CBD MIMICS THE EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEF MEDICATIONS

Like prescription medicines, cannabis works by activating receptors in your brain. When this happens, your receptors are basically saying, “Hey body, your pain is gone!” even if an injury or ailment still exists.

CBD isn’t just a brain-receptor manipulator, though. It has anti-inflammatory properties, so it addresses symptoms directly at their source rather than just masking your pain. Yes, you may experience relief before you’re fully healed, but CBD also helps your body repair itself.

6. CBD TREATS NUMEROUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS

Trouble sleeping? Stressed at work? Battling back pain?

CBD can help with all of these issues. You can also use CBD for relief from arthritis pain, foot pain, scratches and scrapes, headaches, and some digestive problems. CBD may even enhance your existing pain management treatments for sciatica and other hard-to-treat conditions.

Conflicting information is available about the benefits of CBD tinctures and capsules for cancer treatment. Speak to a medical provider before you replace your current treatments with CBD products.

7. CBD IS EASILY ATTAINABLE

Now that many forms of CBD are legal options for pain management, it’s easy to find the types and formulas you need. You can order CBD online, get it from a health food store, find it at medical offices, or even get it at some pharmacies — without a prescription, of course.

CBD is often affordable when compared with other options for pain management, such as prescription pain pills and surgery, and no appointment is required before you purchase CBD.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. When applied topically or consumed through smoke inhalation or edible consumption, CBD interacts with neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system, which sends signals between your cells to help regulate your movement, mood, homeostasis and immune system.

For individuals with lower back pain, the condition can significantly impact their daily activities. There are several ways to help patients living with lower back pain to improve their quality of life and enable them to partake in activities as normal.

Low-impact exercises and stretching

It is important for individuals with lower back pain to stay physically active and maintain the strength and flexibility of the muscles that provide support to the spine and lower back. Stretching and low-impact exercises are the most beneficial practices for this purpose, as they help to increase strength without adding to the stress and strain on the area.

Some of the activities that may be particularly helpful in reducing the symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Yoga

If patients have had a prolonged period of inactivity, reintroducing this type of low-impact exercise to regain strength is especially important.

Stretching is important to improve the flexibility of the connective tissues and can help to prevent worsening of lower back pain. This is essential before and after any physical activity that may put a strain on the back muscles.

Image Credit: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Posture

Another influential factor in the development of lower back pain is the way that people hold their bodies while standing or sitting. All patients should be advised to avoid slouching and focus on keeping a good posture constantly, as this helps to reduce the abnormal curvature of the spine.

Some good tips to improve posture include:

• Use work surfaces that are at a comfortable height for the individual.
• Adjust the seat to the appropriate position and height for the task.
• Opt for a chair with good lumbar support.
• Keep the shoulders back and the back straight.
• Move around and stretch muscles regularly during intervals to relieve muscle tension.
• Place a small firm pillow behind the lower back to increase lumbar support.
• Wear comfortable footwear.
• Sleep on a firm surface.
• Avoid sleeping on the stomach.

Diet and lifestyle

Excess weight is associated with an increased risk of lower back pain due to the additional stress the weight puts on the spine and connective tissues. For this reason, it is helpful for people affected by lower back pain to lose weight if they are too heavy.

Both regular physical activity and a healthy diet are important for achieving sustainable weight loss. A diet with an adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D should be recommended to promote the strengthening of bones.

Smoking reduces the blood flow to the lower spine; as a result, smokers are more likely to be affected by spinal disc degeneration, osteoporosis, coughing, and lower back pain. Therefore, it is recommended for patients with lower back pain who smoke to quit as soon as possible.

Mental health

Individuals with chronic lower back pain are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders, such as depression, due to the effects of the condition. It can be difficult to cope with the lifestyle changes that lower back pain can necessitate.

Another challenge is the difficulty people may experience in going about their normal daily routine. Additionally, people with lower back pain who opt for bed rest have a further heightened risk of depression.

It is important for patients to have a strong support network and continue to participate in activities that they enjoy. With appropriate pain management techniques, it should be possible for patients to resume such activities, which helps to improve their quality of life and mental health.

Prevention

Lower back pain is most often caused by mechanical stress or strain to the spine or connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments in the lower back.

Certain activities can increase the risk of mechanical stress developing or worsening lower back pain. These include heavy lifting, poor posture, repetitive motion, vibration, and contact stress. As a result, individuals affected by or prone to lower back pain may benefit from avoiding such activities.

Sleep should be a restorative process for our bodies, but for some people, it triggers pain that can keep them awake.

Lying down can put strain on our hips in a few ways:

• If you sleep on your side, you are applying direct force to the hip that is down.
• The hip that is raised can pull down on tendons and muscle.
• Even sleeping on your back can cause awkward stress on your pelvis.

“Any kind of pain at rest is not normal and is a sign of injury or illness,” says Jeffrey Charen, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at JFK University Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center . “If you are experiencing persistent pain while resting, it’s time to get help from your doctor.”

Signs that you may have a hip problem usually begins well before bedtime. Issues often exist as pain when you rotate the hip, pain in the groin that radiates into the thigh or buttocks, pain while walking, difficulty putting on socks and shoes, and pain when you stand up and start walking. If you experience pain in your hip that gets worse at bedtime, one of a few common conditions could be the culprit.

Arthritis

As we age, our chances of developing arthritis increase. So if you are over age 45—but especially if you are over age 60—arthritis could be the cause of your hip pain. “Arthritis is a broad term used to describe the deterioration of joints from a variety of causes, including disease and wear and tear,” says Dr. Charen. “Over-the-counter treatment may only provide symptom relief, so talk to your doctor about other treatment options.”

Tendinitis

If you are under 45 years old, it’s less likely that arthritis is causing your pain. You could be suffering from tendinitis—the inflammation of a tendon—which is usually felt near a joint. Lower back pain can commonly show up as hip pain. Some people develop this condition from overuse in recreational activities or even in the workplace. “Tendinitis can usually be treated with rest, stretching, strengthening exercises and precautions to prevent reinjury,” says Dr. Charen. If these measures don’t provide relief, your doctor can suggest other therapies or surgery if necessary.

Bursitis

Like tendinitis, bursitis is an inflammatory condition usually caused by overuse. It affects small sacs of fluid that cushion joints. “Bursitis usually goes away on its own with rest,” says Dr. Charen. “But if it persists, talk to your doctor. You may find relief from medication, surgery, assistive devices or therapy.”

Tight Muscles

The muscles and bones of our body are connected. Pain in your hip could be caused by tight muscles in your back, buttocks, legs and abdomen. If these muscles are tense, they can pull on bones like your thigh bone, which can cause discomfort. Light stretching can typically relieve tension.

If you’ve ever suffered from aches and pains in your back, you’re not alone: According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 85 percent of Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives.

But knowing what’s causing your pain can be challenging. “The most common complaint is what we characterize as non-specific low back pain, which means we haven’t identified a specific underlying source for why that individual has back pain,” says Craig Van Dien, M.D., a sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. “In most cases, this is muscle-based pain or a muscle strain.”

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

A muscle strain or pulled muscle is a common cause of back pain and happens when you injure the tendon or ligaments by overusing or misusing your back muscles.

Anyone can pull a muscle. Factors that can contribute to the problem include:

• Aging
• Lack of exercise or not warming up before exercising
• Excess body weight
• Bad posture
• Sitting for long periods of time

Certain health conditions can also cause back pain, including:

• A herniated disc that may be pressing on nerves
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Osteoporosis or osteoarthritis
• Pancreatitis or kidney stones
• Infections and cancer, in rare cases

Back Pain Symptoms

If you’ve strained a back muscle, you may experience a dull pain and stiffness in your back, with an overall feeling of aches and pains. Symptoms include:

• Pain that gets worse when you move, especially when bending or stretching
• Difficulty standing up straight
• Swelling or bruising in a specific area
• Sharp or achy pain, usually limited to the lower back and buttocks area
• Spasm-like pain or cramps

To identify the cause of back pain, Dr. Van Dien says that looking at the absence of symptoms can also be helpful. “When patients come in with back pain, and the pain is of muscular origin, generally that exam is void of any sort of findings that would suggest that there’s a nerve-based problem or something more significant going on,” he explains.

Symptoms that suggest a more serious condition include:

• Fever, chills or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• New bowel or bladder problems
• Pain that spreads down the legs
• Pain that lasts more than a few weeks
• Severe pain unrelieved by rest
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs

If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. “We don’t want you to ignore these symptoms. It’s extremely important to have a doctor evaluate you and rule out anything more serious,” says Dr. Van Dien.

How to Treat a Pulled Muscle

Prevention should always be the primary goal:

• Maintain strong abdominal and back core muscles to help stabilize your spine and prevent strain on back muscles.
• Live a healthy lifestyle, including weight management and low-impact aerobic exercises, to build muscle strength and prevent strain.
• Maintain a neutral posture when sitting or standing.
• Utilize leg muscles instead of back muscles when lifting objects to prevent back muscle fatigue and injury.

“Muscular back pain usually goes away after several weeks of home care,” says Dr. Van Dien. “Despite the popular belief that you must rest, early mobilization and walking following an acute back strain will help keep muscles loose and prevent further lower back tightness. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and alternating ice and heat can be helpful with the initial onset of pain. Your doctor may also recommend a course of physical therapy.”