9 minute read
+ Reduce Chronic Pain with CBD
Reduce Chronic Pain
with CBD
Advertisement
By Lori Emelander
—Lori Emelander
If you have been paying attention over the past year or so, you have probably noticed that CBD products are becoming more and more prevalent. Numerous studies have been performed over recent years that indicate that the usage and efficacy of CBD are incredibly far-reaching—products containing CBD are being used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, opioid addiction, PTSD, diabetes, arthritis, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and neurological issues. CBD can be found in everything from calming dog treats to heart health supplements. Perhaps most commonly, though, is the use of CBD to help alleviate otherwise unmanageable pain.
What Does CBD Do?
Without diving too deeply into specifics of the science behind CBD’s efficacy, it is helpful to understand that CBD interacts naturally with our endocannabinoid system, which impacts our sleep, mood, memory, movement, appetite, and pain receptors. It is also important to note that unlike its cannabis counterpart, THC, CBD is not psychoactive—meaning you will not experience an altered mental state (in other words, you won’t feel “high”) from using CBD products.
CBD pain treatments come in many forms—in capsules, liquids, oral sprays, even in food and drink. One method, though, may be superior to others in terms of fast, effective relief: topical applications such as body creams and lotions. The reason for this is simple, really—when applied topically, the active ingredients in CBD are localized to the area of pain, thereby quickly concentrating on that specific location rather than slowly being diluted as it spreads throughout the body.
In addition to having regular massage sessions using CBD treatment, you should also practice at-home care between appointments. Work with a licensed massage therapist to determine a treatment regimen that will work best for you, both at your treatment center and at home. A good massage therapist will provide you with an individualized plan for treatment for massage therapy as well as the tools you need to care for yourself at home, so you don’t need to suffer between sessions.
Find the Treatment That’s Right for You
The trickiest part of starting your new CBD + massage therapy treatment protocol may be finding the right massage therapist to help you. Don’t just pick a random name from your Google search results—it is important to do your research to ensure you’ll be receiving the best possible care for your needs. The Spa at Litchfield Hills offers an exceptionally popular and effective Cause+Medic CBD Massage. Offered as a 50- or 80-minute treatment, this massage features Cause+Medic’s CBD Massage Cream and a concentrated CBD Pain Cream to help relieve inflammation, stiff joints, aches, and pains in targeted areas. Our team of licensed massage therapists works with each guest to curate both a long-term treatment plan and at-home regimen to fit their unique self-care goals. The Spa at Litchfield Hills also has this line available in their boutique, so guests can continue treatment with CBD products at home after their spa service.
If you’ve been living with chronic pain, combining the effects of CBD treatment with the power of regular massage therapy could be the answer you’ve been searching for to help alleviate your discomfort. •
Help Manage Your Pain with CBD Topicals
Coupling the localized relief provided by CBD lotions, oils, and creams with massage therapy is the natural next step toward helping alleviate chronic pain. However, it is important to work with a licensed massage therapist who understands both how CBD works in the body as well as how to apply it during massage for the most effective results. The Spa at Litch�ield Hills truly has something for every guest, whether it is relaxation, results, or both. They strive to offer organic product lines that are impactful and result driven. Online bookings are available at www.litchfield-spa. com, or call 860.567.8575 or email frontdesk@ litchfield-spa.com for more information. 407A Bantam Rd., Litchfield CT. See ad on page 9 >
Essential Oils Basics:
A Look at These Time-Tested, Natural Therapies
By Erika Dworkin, BCHN®
Have you been hearing all the chatter lately about the positive impact of essential oils (EOs) on well-being, but are not sure where to begin to become a healer in your own home? Keep reading for some EO evidence-based basics to help you get started.
The Power of Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for their healing and aromatic properties in many cultures since as early as 3000 B.C. As extracted volatile, aromatic compounds from plant flowers, bark, leaves, resin, seeds, roots, or pith, EOs support human healing via the same active botanical constituents that function as the life force of their plants of origin.
Extensive lab and clinical studies have shown that their fat solubility, coupled with the small molecular size of their active compounds, enable EOs to work efficiently and powerfully (they are 50–100 times stronger than herbs) by easily passing through cell membranes and skin layers, into the bloodstream, and even across the blood–brain barrier. EOs have been valued for their wide-ranging properties due to their ability to support cells, even those that are physiologically compromised by poor nutrition or environmental threats. They can detoxify, protect/strengthen/restore, uplift/ energize, warm/soothe, and harmonize the body, mind, and spirit.
Selection and Safe Use
Since all essential oils are not created equal, it is first critical to ensure that you are using the highest-quality brand available to produce the desired therapeutic effects. Various factors influence quality, such as: 1. Sourcing: Origin soil exposed to toxic chemicals affects plant chemistry (look for certified organic or better-thanorganic); farmers must grow only the desired species of each plant and allow plants to mature properly. 2. Processing: Essential oils should be extracted slowly and gently, ideally by hydro- or steam-distillation or cold-pressing, without toxic solvents or chemicals. 3. Third-party testi ng: Every batch should be tested and certified as pure and guaranteed to have the same therapeutic potency and constituents from batch to batch, without synthetic additives.
Once you have selected a brand that offers high quality EOs, you can begin to explore using them aromatically (in a diffuser or specially designed humidifier), topically, and/or internally. While EOs can be used safely in all three of these ways, there are certain reasons for caution to consider: 1. Labeling: Since not all brands, oils, or oil blends are manufactured for internal use, confirm that the label indicates clearly what uses are recommended.
“Essential oils… are prescribed for a variety of health problems by traditional systems of medicine all over the world. Various pharmaceutical and biological activities, like antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antiviral, antiinfl ammatory, and antiprotozoal properties, are assigned to them.”
—A status review on the medicinal properties of essential oils, Industrial Crops and Products
2. Dosing: Consuming EOs can call for more precision and proper dosing may need to take into consideration the individual’s weight, specific health condition, symptoms, and the established medical goal (this is a good reason to consume them pre-dosed in soft gels). 3. Prescription drugs: Specific oils may interact with medications regardless of how they are used (for example, antidepressants should not be combined with chamomile, clove, blue tansy, sage, holy basil, bay, cinnamon leaf, or Melissa). 4. Babies/children: While children often appreciate and respond well to EOs, to prevent adverse reactions be mindful of the dose, dilution, location of application, and suitability of the oil applied. 5. Pets: Veterinarians that recommend EOs indicate that many are safe to use with pets; ideally, let pets self-select—give them the ability to leave a room when desired, mix oils with carrier oils (fractionated coconut, almond, jojoba) to prevent skin irritation, and carefully limit doses. Oils to avoid or use cautiously with pets: birch, tea tree, wintergreen, oregano, cassia, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, thyme.
Some Indicated Symptoms andConditions
The available essential oils, the different ways each can be used individually or in blends, and the vast number of physical and emotional health conditions they have been reported or scientifically proven to address are all too numerous to address here. This is just a sampling of the science-based ways to address the symptoms of some common issues: • Anxiety/Stress/Sleep. Essential oils that can help reduce stress/anxiety very often can also address insomnia. The authors of one systematic review concluded that lavender, bergamot, and wild orange effectively soothe anxiety. In a 2020 animal study, researchers stated that topical vetiver is useful for anxiety and depression, reduces cortisol hormone levels, and is comparable to diazepam when applied in a 30%-concentration balm. • Depression. The researchers of one animal study concluded that clary sage oil could be developed as a therapeutic agent for patients with depression and that its antidepressant-like effect is closely associated with enhancement of dopamine activity. Just last year, one study recognized that frankincense, viewed as the “king of oils,” has been considered an anti-inflammatory agent potentially useful in the treatment of specific neuroimmune system disorders, and concluded that attribute makes it an effective agent against depression. • Digestion. Numerous studies support the use of various essential oils (peppermint, ginger, fennel, anise, and cinnamon bark) for a variety of digestive issues, including constipation, diarrhea, IBS, and parasites.
• Immunity. Scientists recognize that many essential oils are antiviral (lavender, thyme, peppermint), antibacterial (eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, orange), and antifungal (oregano, cinnamon, citronella, geranium, lemongrass, orange, patchouli). The first papers on the anticancer activity of essential oils were published in the 1960s and, as of 2014, over 500 papers have been published. • Weight Management. Essential oils can help increase metabolism (grapefruit, lemon), curb food cravings (grapefruit, cinnamon), combat water retention, diabetes, and obesity (juniper, sage, lemon), address cellulite, and enhance a workout (a combination of wild orange/peppermint/clove/rosemary).
Although essential oils can provide an immediate, convenient, inexpensive way to attend to multiple ailments, it would be wise to consider consulting a holistic practitioner for essential oil guidance when facing a serious acute or chronic condition.
See this full article online at www.naturalnutmeg. com. Submitted by Erika Dworkin, BCHN (Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®), former owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe in Manchester, CT (www.cthealthshop.com), which operated for 65 years, and a Natural Nutmeg Magazine Readers 10Best Nutritionist (2019–2021). Erika is available for nutrition consultations and public speaking engagements in person or on Zoom. She can be contacted by phone at 860.646.8178, or by email at edworkin@vitathena.com. (Ask her about her FREE 20-Minute Wellness Assessments and FREE Essential Oil Chats!) All statements in this article are practice- or science-based and references are available upon request. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, are for educational purposes only, and are not intended to take the place of a physician’s advice. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Erika Dworkin, Board Certified in holistic nutrition, is the former owner of the Manchester Parkade Health Shoppe in Manchester, CT (cthealthshop.com), which operated for 65 years. Erika is available for nutrition consultations and to speak to groups, in person or on Zoom. She can be contacted by phone at 860.646.8178, or by email at edworkin@vitathena.com. Ask her about her FREE 20-Minute Wellness Assessments and FREE Essential Oil Chats! All statements in this article are practice- or scientific-evidence-based and references are available upon request. See ad on page 5 > 1414
