What is Chronic Pain
According to a 2019 survey conducted by the NIH, over 50 million adults (20.5%) reported having pain on most days or every day. Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that persists for an extended period despite treatment or medication. Living with chronic pain can impact a person’s daily activities, their work, hobbies, social life, and more. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, which may increase the pain and cause a downward spiral of symptoms that becomes increasingly difficult to break. The good news is, it is possible to rewire learned neural pathways to greatly reduce or eliminate chronic pain!
Chronic Pain Causes
The path to chronic pain for some may begin during childhood. A child’s developing nervous system learns to detect and respond to danger. When a child feels physically or emotionally unsafe, the fight, flight, or freeze response is activated in the brain as a defense. This response becomes more efficient with each experience. Some children attempt to minimize conflict by behaving perfectly, which can lead to the nervous system being constantly on high alert. Major surgeries, injuries, or other traumatic health-related experiences in childhood can also lead to pain catastrophizing and an increased danger response in the brain. A nervous system that has become overly efficient at responding to perceived threats may develop physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, back and muscle pain, and more when faced with everyday stress of adult life. Major life events, both positive and negative, may trigger a stress response that may result in new or worsened symptoms.
Some people with no history of an overactive stress response may experience lingering symptoms after an injury or major illness. While many people suffer for a time during and after an injury or major illness and then make a full and complete recovery, others may begin to experience pain that persists after healing is expected to be complete. Those who have experienced automobile accidents, major surgery, or suffered major illness such as Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or cancer may experience pain and other symptoms long after treatment has been given.
Others may experience chronic pain with no known cause whatsoever. In any case, an overactive nervous system tends to become increasingly efficient at activating symptoms of pain in response to perceived stress, even when no danger is present. Symptoms such as migraines, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, foot pain, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and gut issues are common chronic symptoms of an overactive stress response. It may become increasingly difficult to find joy in life as symptoms persist and the “feel-good” hormones in the body are restricted, which may lead to increased depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
How to Deal with Chronic Pain
Just as the brain is able to learn overactive stress responses, the brain is able to learn to divert and override these signals. While the part of the brain called the amygdala is responsible for the body’s stress response, the prefrontal cortex is involved with rational thinking and reasoning. Building and nurturing new neural pathways that foster feelings of gratitude, peace, and joy may help override signals that result in unwarranted stress-response symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Establishing a personalized self-care routine may be the best tool when working to nurture these new, healthy neural pathways. It is important to keep in mind that there is no one correct routine or approach—the goal is to use the rational part of the brain to provide calming, soothing, grounding feelings to the amygdala to stop the unnecessary stress responses. There are many self-care options available, and personal needs and preferences may change over time. When armed with knowledge, support, and a plethora of health and wellness products specifically designed to calm the nervous system, there is hope.
Fingerboard Farm’s Customer Favorites:
Fingerboard Farm’s CBD Calming Crème topical pain relief may be applied directly onto painful muscles, hands, feet, and joints. Natural carrier oils allow anti-inflammatory and anti-analgesic CBD, terpenes, and other plant compounds to be absorbed directly through the skin for fast relief of muscle, joint, nerve, and tendon pain, inflammation, and irritated skin.
Fingerboard Farm’s CBD Bath Salts provide the ultimate relaxing experience. Achy muscles and joints, fatigue, tension, and general malaise may be greatly reduced after a relaxing soak. CBD Bath Salts contain full-spectrum CBD, Epsom salt, and Himalayan salt that will provide relief from pain, inflammation, dry or itchy skin, and fatigue. A boost of magnesium absorbed through the skin may provide relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood swings, and insomnia.
When sleep is affected by chronic pain or other chronic symptoms, Fingerboard Farm staff and customers reach for CBD Midnight Magic Oil. This natural sleep remedy contains just the right amount of full-spectrum CBD for relief from inflammation, stress, and pain, and a low dose of melatonin to naturally promote the body’s readiness for a restful, revitalizing night’s sleep.
For daily support, CBD Watermelon Gummies, CBD Morning Magic Oil and FECO are highly favored. Watermelon gummies contain CBD isolate that supports healthy stress responses. Morning Magic contains just the right blend of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes to promote feelings of wellbeing and a positive outlook. FECO contains highly concentrated plant extract that packs a powerful punch against pain perception, inflammation, depression, and anxiety.
Journaling, gardening, burning natural candles and incense, and providing the body with the best nutritional support are other ideas to consider when establishing a healthy self-care routine designed to rewire the brain and reduce chronic pain. Fingerboard Farm staff are always happy to provide support and recommendations that will help you on your journey towards health.