Surviving The Holidays If You Have Chronic Pain

December 14, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The holiday season is upon us, and while it’s often marketed as the happiest time of the year, for individuals with chronic pain, the holiday season is often filled with stress and pain. Those two things – stress and pain – often go hand in hand with one another because stress can be a chronic pain trigger, and the holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year, in turn making it a painful time of the year for chronic pain sufferers.

And while we don’t have all the answers to make your holiday season perfect, there is a playbook you should follow if you want to help prevent against painful flareups. Below, we share some tips for surviving the holiday season if you have chronic pain.

Pain, Stress and the Holidays

This blog is going to focus on some of the major stressors of the holiday season and tips for alleviating this stress so that they don’t become a source of a chronic pain flareup.

Finances – Money can easily become tight during the holiday season if we’re not careful, and money is one of the most common sources of stress during everyday life. Develop a budget, limit your spending and make sure that you don’t go into a financial hole trying to buy things during the holiday, because this can lead to stress and pain flareups.

Diet – A poor diet can also trigger inflammation and a pain flareup, so try to eat somewhat healthy over the holidays. It can be easy to indulge in Christmas candy and stocking stuffers, but if you eat too much sugar, your pain condition may be more present throughout the holidays. Strive to make more healthy food choices during the holidays.

Limited Exercise – Exercise is a great way for us to manage stress, but oftentimes it can be tough to perform your regular exercise during the holidays. You may be crunched for time because of the holidays or find it difficult to perform a workout when it’s cold and dark most of the day, but don’t avoid physical activity. If you find yourself getting stressed, carve out time for some simple exercise, because it will be beneficial for both your mind and body.

COVID Stress – Obviously the coronavirus is still a major problem in Minnesota and throughout the United States, and fear of contracting the virus during family gatherings or church can lead to a lot of internal stress. Put your health first and avoid unsafe gatherings. You’re not a Grinch or a Scrooge if you skip out on certain events this year because of rightful concerns over the coronavirus. Don’t add stress to your plate because you felt obligated to go to an unsafe gathering.

Take Time For Yourself – If you’re one of those people who wants to please everyone else during the holidays, you need to make sure you’re taking some time for yourself. Because if you don’t, stress will catch up with you. Practice some yoga or meditation, or just wake up 30 minutes before everyone else and take some time to enjoy your morning coffee in peace. If you take time for yourself, you’ll be better able to care for others during the holiday.

Sleep – Finally, make sure you are getting enough quality sleep each and every day. Lack of sleep can lead to inflammation and chronic pain flareups. We know that this is easier said than done, but force yourself to head to bed at a reasonable time and make your bedroom an ideal sleep environment. Improving your sleep quality is one of the easiest ways to limit stress and chronic pain flareups.

If you need help with any of the above aspects, or you want professional assistance with your pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Medical Marijuana For Short-Term Chronic Pain Relief

November 17, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Medical marijuana is a topic we’ve written about on the blog numerous times in the past, and one point we’ve always hammered home is that we want more scientifically-backed research on the subject. As more research comes out, the more we expand our knowledge of the subject and can better treat our patients.

Recently, we read about a study that looked at the short-term benefits of medical marijuana use to control chronic pain symptoms. We share the results of that study in today’s blog.

Short Term Chronic Pain Relief With Medical Cannabis

The research was originally published in Volume 20, Issue 6 of Practical Pain Management, and it explored how medical marijuana could be used to help provide pain relief in patients with certain types of chronic pain. Patients for the study were at least 25 years of age, had experienced chronic pain for at least three months, and were willing to provide accurate reports about their chronic pain levels both before and during treatment. Treatment, in this instance, was taking medical cannabis after being informed of proper administration guidelines from a physician.

The most common chronic pain conditions that affected patients in this study were back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic headaches. Patients were asked to rank their pain at the beginning of the study and then again at 1-month, 3-month and 6-month intervals. Here’s what they found:

Patients in the study found that medical cannabis treatment was associated with significant improvements in pain symptoms and quality of life within one month of initiating treatment.
These effects were sustained at the three- and six-month intervals.
The only adverse effects patients reported were dry mouth, increased appetite and the sensation of feeling “high.”

After looking at the totality of the study, researchers stated that medical marijuana, when administered under the care and supervision of a healthcare professional, can be a safe and effective option for short-term pain relief for patients with varying types of chronic pain.

At our clinic, we always say that we want patients to find a solution to chronic pain that works for them. It won’t always be easy or passive, but we want you to find a solution that works for you. If medical marijuana or other treatments like the Daith piercing can help you find relief, we’re all for it. We’re also here to provide you with care or treatment recommendations if you want to pair your current treatments with a more professional approach. We’ll happily walk you though some of the more standard options like physical therapy or other lifestyle interventions, but we can also discuss alternative options and give you some more information so you can make the best decision for your health.

For more information about different ways to treat your chronic pain, or to set up a consultation with a specialist, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

The Effects Of Alcohol On Chronic Pain Management

October 8, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

At the end of a long hard day, many people just want to put their feet up and relax, and some also choose to kick back with a beer or a cocktail. Alcohol can affect our mood and our stress level, and it can even help to take our mind off the stressors of the day. However, it’s far from a perfect crutch to lean on if you are battling a chronic pain condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the effects of alcohol as it pertains to someone dealing with a chronic pain condition.

Alcohol and Chronic Pain

Even when used responsibly, alcohol can cause problems with our bodies. It can lead to nerve damage and increase our risk for certain types of cancers. However, research shows that a large portion of chronic pain patients are turning to alcohol to help cope with their pain condition. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, roughly 28 percent of chronic pain patients self-medicate with alcohol. That’s more than 1 in 4 pain patients.

The reason many people turn to alcohol is because of the short term relief it appears to provide. It helps to drown out pain signals from nerves and mental stressors like anxiety and depression. The problem is that it doesn’t do this in a healthy way. The short term relief can eventually give way to long term issues, including worsening chronic pain conditions. Nerve signals can become more problematic as the nerves are damaged from alcohol consumption, and relying on alcohol can also push a person further away from healthy treatment options.

For example, drinking alcohol is easier than getting regular exercise, but the benefits of exercise far outweigh the benefits of alcohol. Many people can find the same relief through each option, but one option does this in a positive, healthy way and the other does it in a way that jeopardizes our short- and long-term health. Alcohol intake can also cause problems if you are taking medications, making them ineffective or increasing your risk of dependence, abuse or overdose.

Interestingly, the effects of alcohol on chronic pain have been studied by researchers in the past, and they have found that mild to moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks per day) was associated with a slight reduction in anxiety and pain scores. However, researchers don’t believe that this was due to the physical effect alcohol had on the body. Instead, they believe it had to do with the social effects it had on patients, lowering inhibitions and making patients more socially active. Long term it can cause nerve damage, but in the short term it can trick your brain into getting you into a better mindset, and there are positive associations between improved mental health and similar improvements in physical health.

At the end of the day, please use alcohol responsibly if you have a chronic pain condition. Alcohol should never be used as a coping or treatment strategy, because there are so many healthier and more effective options. If you’re struggling with a pain condition and are trying to find a healthy way to treat it, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How Is The Pandemic Is Affecting Pain Patients

September 30, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

pain Although it seems like we’re starting to come out the other side, we’re still dealing with the fallout of COVID-19 on a daily basis. And while the virus tends to have the most severe effects on older adults, another vulnerable group during this period are chronic pain patients. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how chronic pain sufferers are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pain Patients and the Pandemic

Chronic pain can make getting out of bed a daily battle, and when you add a pandemic to the mix, it only gets worse. Here’s a look at some of the unique ways that the pandemic is affecting patients with chronic conditions.

Isolation – We’re supposed to be limiting our contact with others as much as possible to help cut down on potential transmission, and that can leave us feeling isolated. Those feelings can be amplified in patients with a chronic pain condition who may already feel isolated because of their individual pain condition. Make sure you are staying connected with others as best you can, be it by phone, Facetime or in person with distancing measures in mind.

Worsened Symptoms – If a chronic pain patient caught COVID-19, there’s a chance their symptoms would be worse than the average person’s symptoms. Research has found that genetic and autoimmune deficiencies could contribute to worsening symptoms, and those same issues could have an underlying role in your chronic pain condition. Everyone should make smart decisions when it comes to preventing potential exposure, but this is especially true for chronic pain patients.

Delayed Access To Care – Elective surgeries were delayed when COVID numbers were surging in Minnesota, and now medical centers are dealing with a backlog of patients. This can make it harder to see a doctor as soon as you would like. COVID-19 is delaying access to medical care for all individuals, but patients with chronic pain that may have more regular checkups and screenings now may face additional challenges staying on top of their condition.

Psychological Effects – As we’ve preached about on the blog in the past, chronic pain conditions are rarely only a physical issue. There is also a big psychological side to treating the condition. However, this could become harder to manage as the stress of COVID-19 is adding mental strain to our plate. Try to ensure that you are taking time for your mental health and your physical health each and every day.

If you are finding it even harder to manage your chronic pain during these turbulent times, know that we are here for you. We will do everything in our power to help you have more good days than bad. For more information on how we’ll do this, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

5 Reasons To Consider CBD Oil For Chronic Pain Management

September 21, 2020September 23, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The following post is a guest blog from Crystal Wilson of CBDFX.com, who reached out to us asking if she could publish a blog on CBD oil. As Crystal mentions in her piece, please consult your physician and talk about your individual needs and treatments before starting or changing a treatment regimen for a chronic pain condition.

Given the growing legalization and popularity, CBD oil has become a household name. People are now gradually accepting the idea of using CBD oil for the many therapeutic benefits it can offer. Recently, it has become a popular treatment for chronic pain.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol, also popularly known as CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids or chemical compounds present in the cannabis herb. Unlike popular belief, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that does not induce a mind-altering high. The cannabinoid has medicinal properties, which can help treat a wide range of physical and psychological health troubles.

Manufacturers use a specific CO2 extraction process to get CBD and then add a carrier oil to get CBD oil. You can either use CBD oil directly or through capsules, but topicals and edibles infused with the oil are also quite popular. When it comes to pain, effective CBD tincture can be
an ideal way to ingest the cannabinoid.

Why should you use CBD oil for pain management?

Debilitating pain can hinder you from living your routine life. As a result, here are a few reasons for you to try CBD oil for managing chronic pain:

1. CBD is non-psychoactive

The cannabis plant has hundreds of different chemicals that determine how the plant will affect you. Out of the plenty, there are close to 60 cannabinoids that experts are aware of. THC and CBD are among the most popular and prominent cannabinoids.

The chemical compound THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for the mind-altering high that most people experience. On the contrary, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties. It is a medicinal compound that cannot get you high because of its low THC levels.

2. It is legal and safe to use

While most people refrain from using CBD oil because of the belief that it is illegal, they are mistaken. Many countries are legalizing CBD owing to its medicinal effects. After the passing of the Hemp Farm Bill in 2018, many states in the US have legalized the sale and use of hemp-derived CBD products.

Hemp is the industrially grown cannabis, especially for medical reasons. It has a high CBD level and a little THC present, making it ideal for treating many ailments. Moreover, CBD oil with 0.3% THC or less can only be legally sold and used for managing chronic pain.

3. Can bring relief from chronic pain

The human body contains a highly complex endocannabinoid system that regulates essential bodily functions like mood, memory, immunity, and even reproductive health. The endocannabinoid system is a structure made up of cells that produce neurotransmitters called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids go into different body parts and interact with the receptors present there to initiate change.

The cannabinoids produced in your body are identical to the ones present in the cannabis plant. When you ingest CBD oil, the cannabinoids will bind with the receptors present in your cells, hormones, or organs and change how you react to stimuli. Due to this interaction, CBD oil may help manage chronic pain and bring you much-needed relief.

4. May help with rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis is a severe disorder that can affect your joints and muscles, leading to chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder where the immune system stops working correctly and attacks joints. It leads to inflammation and erosion of joints.

Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, experts believe that CBD oil’s therapeutic properties may help. The cannabinoid CBD might stop the immune system from attacking key points to help prevent the disease. FDA has also approved Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine for pain and arthritis.

5. You cannot get addicted to it

A majority of people opt for artificial painkillers to combat the pain. While they are effective, the painkillers come with the risk of over-dependence and addiction. In the case of CBD oil, the chances of getting addicted to it are negligible. Even after years of using the oil to treat pain, you can stop using it without feeling any withdrawal symptoms.

Final Thoughts

In the last decade, CBD oil has emerged as a popular and effective health supplement. With increasing evidence about its health benefits and widespread legalization, it has become a buzzword. If you are tired of changing medicines and consulting doctors for pain, you can give CBD oil a try. It can help you combat chronic pain and organically treat rheumatoid arthritis. Get high-grade CBD oil today and say goodbye to chronic pain for good. However, before incorporating the natural substance into your diet and supplement, consult your doctors or an expert.

Reference links:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475#takeaway

https://www.northeastspineandsports.com/7-benefits-of-cbd-for-pain-management/