An Interventional Pain Physicians Outlook on CBD

Dr. Ranasinghe is educated and experienced in all aspects of pain management, including the entire range of pain management procedures, including Radiofrequency ablation procedures and Spinal Cord Stimulation. However, she began to notice a trend in her patient’s own request for more holistic options for pain relief. She took it upon herself to learn and utilize acupuncture in her treatments and incorporated other alternative healing methods into her management of pain. Her decision to open a facility in Naples is founded on enabling the patient to be highly involved in a truly integrated approach.

Over 116 million people suffer from various types of chronic pain disorders ranging from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, neuropathy, back, hip and neck pain just to name a few. Whether it’s from trauma or degenerative diseases chronic pain affects the neck, back, hands, feet or hips, and can cause difficulties to arise when trying to get through even the most menial daily tasks. The surrounding muscles begin to tighten as they try to overcompensate for the pain and protect the injured area. These tight muscles can create tension headaches, impaired mobility, and limitations on range of motion.

Chronic pain can lead to depression, addictions, anxiety, stress, isolation, and even suicide. Finding relief from pain is critical to having the quality life you deserve. Avoiding surgery and being over medicated should be at the forefront of most people’s minds when dealing with chronic pain. However, many of these individuals would do almost anything to relieve their agony.

In the past, a common treatment for chronic pain was to mask it with narcotic prescription pain medications. Narcotics like Opioids are highly addictive, and this trend led to devastating consequences. Our state is currently leading the country in abusing the drug and overdose episodes. The CDC reports that nearly half of all opioid-related deaths are due to the narcotic being prescribed for pain related circumstances such as lower back pain, nerve, and joint disorders, arthritis and spinal injury.

CBD for Chronic Pain
CBD oil is a viable alternative for many patients wanting the healing properties of cannabis and its potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects without the strict regulations of medical marijuana.

Our brain and nerve cells have cannabinoid receptors, so our bodies naturally react to cannabis (medical marijuana). The structure of cannabis interacts directly with our cells. Our natural endocannabinoid system works synergistically with medical marijuana, creating a multitude of beneficial reactions in the body. The endocannabinoid cells have tiny receptors that take in chemicals and produce responses. This natural system in our bodies regulates things like mood, sleeping, immunity, pleasure, memory and much more.

There are two different forms of medical treatment through cannabis. The first is the natural marijuana plant that contains both CBD and THC, and the second is the altered version of the plant that has been through a hybrid process to lighten the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) level. CBD or cannabinoids can treat many different forms of diseases and disorders with no THC. THC is the mind-altering, euphoric component of marijuana that gives the “high” feeling. With CBD plants, the THC levels have been extracted through a vigorous process, leaving zero to little THC levels. CBD oil is an excellent alternative for patients that would benefit from cannabinoids alone, while other more complex medical cases require the additional advantages of THC combines with CBD in the marijuana plant.

Cannabis can be quite effective for many conditions that are difficult to treat using traditional pharmaceutical medications; some of these include fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, seizures, and neuropathic pain, to name a few. Medical cannabis should certainly be a consideration for those suffering from chronic pain.

History of CBD
Over 4000 years ago, Asian Emperors utilized cannabis for its healing properties, noting exceptional improvements in edema issues. In ancient Greece and Egypt, cannabis is reported in many manuscripts, describing its use for medical conditions such as eye disease, joint inflammation and as an anesthetic. Over 300 years ago, in one of Oxfords medical professional journals, it was touted as a means to reduce depression. Cannabis has even been reported to reduce the menstrual complications of Queen Victoria. In the early 1900’s, the United States began growing cannabis for pharmaceutical companies to formulate medications.

How CBD Can Help You with Chronic Pain
Dr. Chaturani Ranasinghe is a double board-certified Anesthesiologist and Interventional Pain Medicine physician. She has incorporated numerous alternative treatment strategies to help patients overcome chronic pain without addictive drugs or unnecessary surgery. Along with these FDA approved treatment options, she believes in synergistic approaches to help patients achieve optimal health and to alleviate painful conditions. This is why she suggests CBD for some of her patients.

Not all CBD is created equal. Patients should be careful about where they get their CBD products from and they should always do so under the guidelines and care of a trustworthy physician. Dr. Ranasinghe suggests both topical and oral methods of CBD depending on the patient’s needs, and some patients may need both. She suggests products that are pure and from organic farms that are regulated and reputable. These include:

Topical:
Elixicure
Resanant
Botanicals
Charlotte’s Web

Oral:
Revitaoil
Kannaway

Integrative Pain Management of Naples
Although surgery is critical in certain situations, finding conservative, alternative methods to treat the underlying condition is always the first step for Integrative Pain Management of Naples. They treat all types of pain throughout the body, such as neck and back pain, joint pain, pain from shingles, migraines, fibromyalgia, and much more.

Dr. Ranasinghe explained, “We focus on patient-centered care, where the patient is an active participant in their treatment. The integrative approach utilizes innovative evidence-based treatments, as well as alternative medicine and encompasses prevention as well as therapy to promote optimal health and healing. All factors that influence health, wellness, and disease are taken into consideration, including mind and spirit.”

Integrative Pain Management of Naples
239.234.2448
www.ipmnaples.com

1855 Veterans Park Drive Suite 304
Naples FL 34109