Though commonly used as a word on its own, arthritis refers to over 100 different conditions. What those have in common is inflammation, tenderness, and pain occurring in joints throughout your body. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common forms of the condition, and each has a different cause and, therefore, different treatments.

Pain management Georgetown TX is frequently a part of arthritis treatment no matter what the origin. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are degenerative diseases without cure. While surgical joint replacements can deliver remarkable relief from mobility loss and pain, you may suffer significant discomfort and pain in the time before surgery becomes necessary.

The drawbacks of conventional pain medications in Georgetown TX

While there are many drug therapies that can and do provide pain relief in the short term, prolonged use can lead to drug resistance or drug dependence, as well as various other side effects that can create health complications unrelated to arthritis.

There's plenty of buzz about cannabidiol (CBD) oil and its potential as an arthritic pain killer. Stemming from the medical uses of either marijuana or hemp plants, CBD in Waco is one of more than 80 cannabinoid chemicals found in the plants. Because it's sometimes a derivative of marijuana, there are plenty of misconceptions about CBD, how it acts, and the results it gets.

How CBD works on the body

There are two receptors in your body that respond to cannabinoid substances. The first type is found in your brain, and it's these receptors that create the marijuana "high" that some people experience when exposed to the cannabinoid compound, delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD oil, however, is a separate compound, and it reacts with the second type of receptor, located in your immune system, which handles your body's response to inflammation and pain.

CBD oil is suspected of having an indirect effect on these receptors by stimulating the body to manufacture natural cannabinoids, rather than the CBD oil attaching directly to the receptors, but this process is not yet fully understood. However, CBD oil creates no adverse cognitive effect on the brain, only stimulating your body to reduce pain and inflammation naturally.

The benefits of CBD oil

Compared with other drugs and medications, CBD oil is in the early stages of development and doesn't yet have volumes of clinical data to inform treatments. However, CBD oil has no known major safety issues, and it's gained popularity because of this, particularly with patients who no longer find conventional analgesics and anti-inflammatories effective.

There are studies that suggest CBD oil may reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis patients. Treatments typically start with a low dosage of CBD, which can be delivered through oral capsules, nasal sprays, creams, or gels. The dose is gradually raised to reach maximum effect.

There are known interactions between CBD and some other medications, so it's not always an appropriate addition to your pain management plan. While there are promising data on CBD's ability to reverse some of the effects of arthritis, it's not yet a primary treatment for the condition.

The team can help you determine if CBD oil is appropriate for your arthritis treatment plan. Call the office today to book a consultation.