If you are like me, muscle and joint pain seems to creep in on a daily basis. Whether it is from exercise, previous injuries, repetitive motions, or just from the aging process, part-time or full-time pain seems to be inevitable, especially when you have endured almost a quarter century of chronic back and neck pain due to ruptured discs and degenerative disc disease, as I have. As with most, probably, I have used many ways to manage pain in my everyday life. Those included over the counter medications, at times prescribed medications, sports creams, patches, etc. None of them provided the pain relief and mobility that I was hoping to get. After it being suggested by my wife Jennifer who is a Licensed Massage Therapist here at our company, The Relaxation Company at Pelican Point Day Spa, I began researching using CBD as part of my pain-management routine.
Having only ever related the term “CBD” to marijuana, I felt that I was going to have to really educate myself on this topic. As I researched CBD I wanted to see the physiological effects that it has on the human body. As I researched, my first finding was that CBD works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of transmitters and receptors in the human nervous system. Research is still ongoing about its many properties, but the ECS plays a major role in regulating mood, memory, immune response, appetite, and other functions.
The next item to research was the potential downside of CBD, especially associated with the stigma of CBD being cannabis. So I found, CBD and other active components of cannabis all can help keep the ECS system in balance, which is why for centuries people have used cannabis to manage stress, pain, indigestion, and other issues. Unlike traditional cannabis, however, CBD does not contain THC and it does not get you high. While the properties of CBD are still being regulated and researched, many users have found that CBD for pain management helps them relax and eases both mental and physical discomfort.
My research further took me into what seems like a “world” of CBD products. I found products with names like “Broad Spectrum”, “Full-Spectrum,” gummies, tinctures, balms, etc. The lists went on and on. I focused my attention on Broad Spectrum products that aid in pain relief for muscles and joints. There are a plethora of companies throughout the United States that sell CBD products. One of the companies I got in contact with was Joy Organics. They offer a CBD sports cream that has a potency of 250mg of CBD per bottle. I purchased a few for our therapists to try on clients in our spa, as well as for me to use. Upon getting the shipment in, I had one of our therapists give me a 30 minute swedish massage and finish with using the JO Sports Cream to target my problem spots. Its feel was just as any other sports cream. There was a Menthol scent and feel to the skin. It had a cooling effect, yet I could feel the area begin to heat subtly. At this point with most sports creams, in the past, the warming feeling would take over for an hour or so and it then would be time for my pain to increase and my mobility to decrease. This did not happen. I was pain free and the area very mobile for about 18 hours or so.
The next morning I woke up and my normal feeling of pain and limited mobility were back. I repeated the same process as the day before with much relief during the day. The difference between 24 hour periods was that I now had my wife put the cream on my back prior to going to bed. The next morning I woke up and did not feel my normal pain. I was able to move freely and felt very different than most mornings. The CBD in the compound of the cream had worked. I have now begun using the cream twice daily and it has enabled me to function consistantly with less pain and increased mobility.
As I continued my research on CBD products and things it can be used for, I came to realize that many professional athletes have begun to use Broad Spectrum CBD as part of their daily regime. You can look online for people like PGA Golfer Bubba Watson or MMA Fighter Daniel Cormier and see how it has had a positive effect on their careers.
Everyone’s experience with CBD is a little different, though, so feel free to adjust the amount if you feel the need. Regular use of the product(s) for a couple weeks – recommendations suggest at least 30 days – should give you an idea of whether you’ve got it right.
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You can view our variety of CBD products at The Relaxation Company at Pelican Point, 6473 Highway 44, Suite 108, Gonzales, LA 70737 or give us a call at (225) 725-4239 to learn more.