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Causes of Chronic Shoulder Blade Pain and Possible Solutions

January 1, 2023January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

It is usual to experience pain between the shoulder blades. Interscapular pain is what doctors call this type of discomfort.

People with shoulder blade pain often have aching, dull, painful, or shooting pain in the top area of their back between their shoulder blades. Leaving people with urgent desires to relieve pain.

Most of the time, shoulder blade pain isn’t a cause for concern. However, when feel chronic pain symptoms, it can be an indication of a more serious condition in other circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about this prevalent issue and how it can be handled or avoided.

What Are the Causes?

There are numerous potential causes of chronic pain between your shoulder blades. Muscle or tendon damage around the shoulder blades is a common cause of this type of pain. More serious causes may also exist. Below are the causes, explained.

Strains in the Muscles

Muscle strains can be caused by;

bad posture
working for long amounts of time at a computer
exercise
other activities, even during sleep
Injuries

Other injuries to your body can also cause pain between your shoulder blades. These injuries might include:

tears in the rotator cuff
fractured spine
dislocation of the shoulder
tears and other trauma-causing injuries
Other reasons

Other possible reasons of shoulder blade pain include:

a ruptured or bulging disc in the spine, or degenerative disc disease
scoliosis
spinal stenosis, or spinal cord narrowing
reflux of acid
fibromyalgia
shingles
syndrome of myofascial pain
lung cancer, lymphomas, liver cancer, oesophageal cancer, mesothelioma, and malignancies that spread to the bones
compression of the nerves

Emergency Causes that make People Suffer Chronic Pain

Some abrupt incidents that cause shoulder pain necessitate immediate attention. These can frequently produce excruciating pain, but not always. These are some examples:

A heart attack occurred. Shoulder blade pain can occur at times.

a symptom of a heart attack, particularly in women. Other indications, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, may also be present. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.

Aortic Rupture

Aortic dissection, also known as thoracic aorta rupture, occurs when there is a tear or rupture in the inner layer of the aorta, which is a large blood vessel that branches off from your heart. This may result in a strong pain in your upper middle back. If this occurs, contact your local emergency services immediately. Aortic tears are classified as a medical emergency.

Embolism of the Lungs

People who are undergoing a pulmonary embolism report a sudden, severe pain in their shoulder blades, typically accompanied by shortness of breath. This could be due to blood clots breaking off in their legs and migrating to their lungs. If you suspect you have a pulmonary embolism, get emergency medical attention right once.

How Chronic Pain Affect People

The scapula, commonly termed the shoulder blade, is a big flat, triangular bone midway up your back. You have two, one on either side of your back.

A network of muscles surrounds and attaches to the scapula, supporting and maintaining its posture. These muscles make it possible for you to move your arms.

The posture of the scapula may shift if an accident or ailment weakens or otherwise destroys these muscles. Dykinesis refers to a shift in the position or motion of the scapula. It’s a prevalent source of shoulder blade discomfort.

More serious reasons of shoulder blade pains include a heart attack, cancer, or a blood clot. It’s critical to see a doctor for a diagnosis, especially if your pain is sudden or severe.

Shoulder blade pain symptoms may include;

Around the scapula, there is discomfort that might be subtle or acute.
A lack of strength in the afflicted arm, particularly when performing overhead movements.
A restricted range of motion that makes raising your arm above your shoulder difficult.
As you move your shoulder, you hear a snapping sound.
Winging is a noticeable projection of the scapula.
A skewed stance on the affected side.

When Should You See a doctor to Treat Chronic Pain?

You should consult a doctor if your pain is extreme, strange, or doesn’t go away. Pain is an indication that something is amiss. Your situation may not be critical, but it could be. If it irritates you in any way, you should have it looked out.

If your shoulder blade discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, you may have a life-threatening disease that necessitates immediate medical attention. Seek medical attention right away if you have pain between your shoulder blades and the accompanying symptoms:

breathing difficulty
chest pain
lightheadedness
sweating excessively
discomfort, edema, or redness in your legs
spitting up blood
fever
heart rate that is too fast or too slow
sudden difficulty speaking
vision impairment
paralysis on one side of your body
loss of consciousness

Managing chronic pain

Treatment for your shoulder blade pain will depend on the cause and severity of your condition. Recovery time will vary from person to person.

Natural cures: Some people get relief from shoulder blade pain through home remedies.

Exercise: Exercise can help strengthen parts of your back, potentially alleviating shoulder pain.

A study published in 2020 discovered that exercise therapy was just as beneficial as corticosteroid injections or shoulder decompression surgery in alleviating shoulder discomfort.

To minimize your shoulder pain with exercise, it’s better to consult with a physical therapist. They will create a workout routine tailored to your individual condition. That way, you’ll know your exercises are benefiting rather than harming your shoulder. Your primary care physician might be able to refer you to a physical therapist.

Back and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises include:

pushups
pullups
sit-ups

Diet: Certain foods might cause inflammation in your body, which can aggravate your symptoms. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods. Choosing meals strong in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, may also assist.

Rest: Rest is sometimes all that is required to recover from shoulder blade discomfort, especially if it is the result of an injury.

Cold or hot therapy: Using hot and cold compresses between your shoulder blades may help ease pain. Typically, they should be used for 15 minutes at a period, every few hours.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy may provide relief in many circumstances, especially if the pain is caused by overuse of your muscles or joints, or an accident.

Massage Treatment: A massage therapist can concentrate on the muscles between your shoulder blades to calm them. You can also purchase handheld massage gadgets to use at home.

Occupational therapy: If you suffer an injury or a pinched nerve, your doctor may advise you to undergo occupational therapy. A therapist will assist you in performing activities that may alleviate problems.

Medications: Certain drugs can help you get rid of the pain and stiffness between your shoulder blades. These may include anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB).

Steroids are sometimes given as a tablet or injection to help with pain and inflammation. These are corticosteroids, as opposed to anabolic steroids, which are used to build muscle.

Muscle relaxants and antidepressants are also sometimes administered for pain management in shoulder blade problems.

Surgery: Surgery is only used in rare cases to treat shoulder issues.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), nonsurgical treatments such as changing activities, rest, exercise, and pharmaceuticals help the vast majority of persons with shoulder blade pain.

Surgery is often reserved for situations involving:

severe shoulder blade discomfort
arthritis that is severe
fracture of the shoulder blade
surgically treated injuries

If your doctor recommends surgery, it may involve the removal of scar tissue or the repair of tendons in your shoulder or upper back. Shoulder replacement surgery is another option.

Diagnosing the Chronic Pain

Your doctor will begin the diagnosis process by discussing your medical history and symptoms with you. They will then perform a physical check on your shoulder and scapula to look for areas of weakness, soreness, or tightness.

Your doctor may also do muscle and resistance strength tests to determine the root of your shoulder blade disease.

They may also order imaging tests like:

X-ray
CT scan
MRI examination

Your doctor may send you to a specialist such as a neurologist or an orthopaedist for a further diagnosis and specialised therapy.

Finally

For more information on chronic pain management, pain disorders, chronic pain resources, psychogenic pain, effective chronic pain treatment options or other physical therapy, you should book a consultation session with a specialist at Chronic Therapy today, to give you professional advice that will suit your personal experience.

Also, for people with chronic pain who are constantly worried on how to treat chronic pain or get their chronic pain treated, our specialist at Chronic Therapy have made huge success over the year in recommending reliable resources to manage chronic pain from nerve pain or any other developing chronic pain conditions.

Related: Pediatric Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain

Pediatric Chronic Pain

January 1, 2023January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

Children 0-17 years old are a vulnerable demographic that need specific care in pain management since they rely on adults for assessment, prevention, and therapy. It is not uncommon for newborns, children, and teenagers to feel pain, both acute and chronic. Statistics gathered from pediatric hospitals show that children’s pain is widespread, frequently misdiagnosed, and inadequately addressed.

According to a recent comprehensive analysis, neonates in intensive care units endure between 7 and 17 painful operations each day, with venipuncture, heel lancing, and peripheral venous catheter placement being the most common.

Most infants do not make use of any analgesic methods. Children with life-threatening illnesses can endure numerous painful diagnostic and painful treatments (e.g., bone marrow aspirations, lumbar punctures).

More so, even perfectly healthy kids have to endure a number of unpleasant medical procedures. Vaccinations are the most prevalent type of needle operation for children, and vaccine reluctance due to pain is a common problem.

Morbidity (e.g., intraventricular hemorrhage) and mortality are both enhanced when severe pain is endured without proper pain management. Premature infants that experience pain have been shown to have impaired cognitive and motor abilities, as well as increased pain self-ratings after venipuncture as they get older.

Studies have indicated that childhood trauma can raise a person’s likelihood of experiencing mental health issues later in life (chronic pain, anxiety and depressive disorders). An effective pain management plan is essential for infants and children.

Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Needle-related Pain

In the long run, untreated needle discomfort from operations including vaccines, blood draws, injections, venous cannulation, etc. can lead to needle phobia, pre-procedural anxiety, hyperalgesia, and healthcare avoidance, all of which raise the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Four bundled modalities to reduce or eliminate pain experienced by children during elective needle procedures are strongly suggested based on current evidence, supported by guidelines from the Canadian Pediatric Society and HELPinKids, and recently brought forward by science-to-social media campaigns.

Healthcare providers and parents should generally speak in neutral terms and avoid phrases that may be perceived as deceptively soothing but instead serve to heighten anxiety (such as “it will be over soon” or “you will be ok”).

Cognitive behavioral therapy, breathing techniques, distraction, and hypnosis were all found to be useful in lowering children’s pain and/or fear of needles in a recent Cochrane review. Many clinics and hospitals for kids across the globe now use a standardized protocol of four easy steps for all needle procedures involving children.

Needlestick Pain: Prevention and Treatment

Provide a package of four approaches that have been shown to be effective for kids:

First, “Numb the skin” with topical anesthetics (for children 36 weeks corrected gestational age and older). 4% lidocaine cream, EMLA-cream, and the J-tip® (a sterile, single-use, disposable injector that uses pressured gas to drive drug into the skin) are all examples of topical anesthetics.

Infants aged 0-12 months can benefit from either sucrose or breast milk.

Relaxed holding, “Do not put down youngsters.” For any surgery involving a child, restraint is never helpful, always has a bad outcome, and exacerbates discomfort and fear. Swaddling, heat, skin-to-skin contact, and assisted tucking are all good options for babies.

Children aged 6 months and up should be encouraged to sit up straight, with their parents either holding them or sitting nearby.

Distractions suited to the age group such as toys, novels, bubbles, pinwheels, stress balls, applications, films, or games on electronic devices.

Treatment of Severe Pediatric Pain

Tissue injury from disease, trauma, surgery, treatments, and/or disease-directed therapy can all contribute to nociception, or nociceptive pain. If acute pain isn’t addressed, it can cause dread of doctors and even prevent people from seeking care.

The standard method for treating complex acute pain nowadays is multimodal analgesia. Acute pain in children may require more than just pharmacology (including basic analgesia, opioids, and adjuvant analgesia). For more effective (opioid-sparing) pediatric pain control with fewer side effects than single analgesic or modality, the addition, and integration of modalities such as regional anesthesia, rehabilitation, effective psychosocial interventions, psychology, and spirituality is recommended.

Acute Pain: Prevention and Management Using a variety of Pain Relief Techniques

When compared to the use of a single analgesic or modality, the synergistic benefits of multimodal analgesia result in more effective pediatric pain control with fewer adverse effects There are a variety of medications that may be prescribed (based on the specifics of each case):

Analgesics at the most fundamental level (paracetamol/acetaminophen, NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, etc.)
Opioids (e.g. tramadol, morphine, methadone)
Additional pain relievers (e.g. gabapentin, clonidine, amitriptyline)
Intrathecal port/pump, neurolytic block, peripheral/plexus nerve block, and other forms of regional anesthesia
Recuperation, Third (e.g. physical therapy, graded motor imagery [32], occupational therapy) (4) Psychology (e.g. cognitive behavioral treatment) (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy)
Integrative (“non-pharmacological”) methods (including mind-body techniques like diaphragmatic breathing, bubble blowing, self-hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, plus massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, and acupuncture) (5) Spirituality (e.g. chaplain)

Methods for Treating Chronic Pediatric Pain

There is a considerable problem with pediatric chronic pain, with conservative estimates indicating that 20% to 35% of children and adolescents are affected by it worldwide. More than 10% of hospitalized children display signs of chronic pain, and yet this pain is often misdiagnosed and untreated.

About 3% of pediatric chronic pain patients require rigorous rehabilitation, while the majority of children who report chronic pain are not significantly impaired by it.

According to the American Pain Society’s 2012 Position Statement on the Assessment and Management of Children with Chronic Pain, chronic pain in children is the result of a dynamic integration of biological processes, psychological factors, and sociocultural variables within a developmental trajectory.

However, a more functional definition is used to characterize chronic pain in children, such as “pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing” and “hence lacks the acute warning function of physiological nociception”. This is in contrast to the way chronic pain is typically defined in adult medicine, where arbitrary temporal parameters (such as 3 months) are used.

There appears to be success with an interdisciplinary strategy that includes

rehabilitation;
integrative medicine/active mind-body approaches;
psychology; and
regularizing daily school attendance, sports participation, social activities, and sleep.

Pain relief and even complete disappearance are normal outcomes of functional rehabilitation. Main pain syndromes, such as centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome, primary headaches (tension headaches/migraines), or extensive musculoskeletal pain, are not appropriate for opioids, and other drugs are rarely used as initial treatment.

A recent Cochrane review found that in-person psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents with headache and other chronic pain may be useful in improving pain outcomes.

Both immediately following therapy and at follow-up, psychological interventions have been shown to be beneficial in lowering pain-related impairment in children and adolescents with a variety of chronic pain problems.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy are the two main types of psychological treatments studied extensively.

Incorporating parents into the multidisciplinary treatment is recommended because of growing evidence that it is crucial to address parents’ catastrophizing thoughts, parents’ anguish, and parents’ behaviors in relation to their children’s pain (e.g., protective behaviors).

Chronic Pain and Main Pain Disorders: Boxed Treatment

(1) Modalities of rehabilitation (such as physical therapy, graded motor imagery, and occupational therapy)

(2) Modalities of integration (or “non-pharmacological” approaches) (e.g., mind-body techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, bubble blowing, self-hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback plus modalities such as massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, acupuncture)

(3) Science of Mind (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy)

(4) Getting Back to Normal (usually, life gets back to normal first, then the pain goes down – not the other way around). It may include activities like;

Exercise and sports
Sleep-hygiene
Life in Society
Going to Class

(5) Medications (may or may not be required) (may or may not be required)

First-line pain relievers (such as acetaminophen/paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and COX-2 inhibitors)

Additional pain relievers (e.g., gabapentin, clonidine, amitriptyline)

Importantly, opiates are typically NOT needed in the absence of new tissue injuries, such as in epidermolysis bullosa or osteogenesis imperfecta.

Finally

Chronic Pain

Using Antidepressants for Treating Chronic Pain

December 22, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

You might be startled if your doctor prescribes an antidepressant for persistent pain. Is it because she thinks you’re depressed? Can antidepressants help with pain in persons who don’t have any indications of depression?

Let’s have a look at what the literature says regarding the role of various antidepressant classes in the treatment of chronic pain.

Depression and Chronic Pain: The Connection

People suffering from chronic pain symptoms and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain are prone to depression. Chronic physical issues are associated with an increased lifetime risk of severe depression. In other words, pain and depression are frequently co-occurring conditions (go hand in hand.)

On the other hand, a considerable number of patients who have been diagnosed with depression also have chronic pain. Depression and chronic pain are linked in both directions.

Having said that, it is not uncommon for people suffer chronic pain to be prescribed antidepressants even if they do not exhibit any indications of depression.

Antidepressants for Chronic Pain in the Absence of Co-Existing Depression

While antidepressants are most commonly used to improve the mood of clinically depressed individuals by changing neurotransmitters in the brain, they can also be used as a primary treatment for chronic pain, anxiety disorders, or sleep difficulties.

When used to treat chronic pain, they are most commonly utilized as adjuvant analgesics. This means that they are administered in conjunction with other pain drugs rather than being used as a standalone pain treatment.

Using Antidepressants for Treating Chronic Pain

The precise method by which antidepressants function to manage pain is uncertain, but it appears that the processes by which they treat chronic pain are unrelated to the mechanisms by which they reduce depression.

Antidepressants are known to have an influence on the neurotransmitter’s serotonin and norepinephrine, particularly along descending spinal pain pathways. Antidepressants can also affect histamine receptors and sodium channels.

Antidepressant Classifications for Chronic Pain

There are various antidepressant classes that have been explored for persons with chronic pain, and the way one antidepressant class works may differ from another. Among the drugs that have been examined are:

Antidepressants tricyclic
Inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake (SNRIs)
Inhibitors of selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs)
Reuptake inhibitors and receptor blockers in combination
Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO inhibitors)

Antidepressant Clinical Trials for Chronic Pain

Antidepressants, particularly amitriptyline, have been shown in studies to be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain in adults.

Unfortunately, there is very little information available on the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents for non-cancer-related pain.

Off-Label Use vs. Drugs Approved to Treat Chronic Pain

When discussing the use of antidepressants for chronic pain, it is critical to distinguish between medicines that are approved for this purpose and those that are taken off-label. When the FDA approves a medicine for a certain application, it implies that the FDA analyzed the studies and determined that the drug may be effective and generally safe for that use.

Off-label use, on the other hand, refers to medications that are FDA approved for one ailment (in this case, depression) but may be used for another (for example, chronic pain).

The use of antidepressants comes with some risks. According to the FDA, adults, particularly youngsters, should be monitored for increased depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior during the first few months of treatment or after a change in medication dosage.

People should contact their healthcare provider right away if their depression symptoms worsen or if suicidal thoughts or conduct escalate. It’s also critical for people who take antidepressants to understand the risk factors and warning symptoms of suicide.

Not the First Choice for Managing Chronic Pain

An antidepressant prescription is not normally the first treatment indicated for persons who have chronic low back or neck pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Physical therapy, exercise, weight loss, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), or cortisone injections are typically tried initially. If these don’t work, antidepressants like duloxetine or amitriptyline may be a good next step.

When used to treat pain, the initial dose is usually low (often lower than the starting dose for depression). If necessary, it is progressively raised. People should notice a benefit within a few weeks after starting the medicine, and the medication should be continued at the lowest effective dose.

If pain is not effectively controlled, adverse effects arise, or there is a combination with another medication, switching to a different antidepressant may be recommended.

Summary

Antidepressants can benefit patients suffering from chronic pain in a variety of ways. Many persons who have fibromyalgia or other chronic pain problems also have depression. However, some antidepressants may provide relief from persistent pain via several processes.

Tricyclic antidepressants, particularly amitriptyline, have received the most extensive research of any antidepressant class, particularly for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Coping with chronic pain is challenging and has an impact on all aspects of your life. A combination of drugs (for example, adding an antidepressant) may be most useful, although non-medication therapy and stress management are also crucial.

Finally

Chronic Pain

How Social Security Assesses Chronic Pain for Disability Claims

December 22, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

Chronic pain is defined as persistent or recurring pain that lasts longer than expected; that is, longer than the average length of an injury, or more than three to six months.

Chronic pain can manifest itself in any place, causing back pain, headaches, joint pain, or generalized muscle or nerve discomfort. It could be the result of an injury or sickness, or it could have no known cause.

If you have been experiencing pain for more than six months, you may be diagnosed with a pain disorder such as chronic pain syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and somatoform pain disorder (RSD).

Or you could be diagnosed with a condition known to produce chronic, difficult-to-treat pain, such as peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or ilioinguinal neuralgia.

Is Chronic Pain Linked to Disability?

Chronic pain might render you disabled, preventing you from engaging in strenuous exercise. Your medical records must prove that you have a serious “medically determinable” impairment (MDI) that causes your chronic pain for the Australian Social Security to pronounce you disabled. This means that your records must contain medical documentation proving your loss of function.

In other words, your impairment must be proved just on the basis of symptoms to be termed a disability. Simply informing the Australian Social Security that you suffer incapacitating chronic pain is insufficient.

Pain, even severe chronic pain that is disabling, will not qualify you for disability payments unless your medical record contains lab testing, x-rays, and/or physical exam results. The claims examiner or disability judge will be searching for proof that you have a physical impairment that is likely to cause your symptoms.

How Social Security Assesses Chronic Pain for Disability Claims

For example, if a doctor analyzes you and discovers that you have broad pain and 11 out of 18 probable tender point sites, you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Because everyone feels pain differently, your objective medical findings do not need to support the level of your discomfort, simply that there is a physical disability that is likely to cause pain.

A correctly diagnosed psychological source of pain, such as a somatoform pain condition, can meet Social Security’s requirements for a medically determinable impairment. The most crucial thing is to obtain a diagnosis from a skilled medical practitioner, such as a doctor or a psychiatrist.

What Technical Requirements Are There for Disability Benefits?

You must demonstrate that your impairment has persisted (or is expected to last) for 12 months or more. With chronic pain, it’s beneficial to have not just one, but multiple diagnoses based on examinations by one or more specialists throughout a year.

If you have long-term, chronic pain caused by an MDI, Social Security will determine if your impairment qualifies you for SSDI or SSI disability benefits. There are two methods to qualify for benefits: through a disability “listing” and by demonstrating that your loss of function is so severe that you are unable to work full-time.

How Do You Get Benefits Through a Disability Listing?

Chronic pain is not listed in Social Security’s Blue Book, which is a list of ailments that may automatically qualify you for disability benefits.

You may be eligible if your persistent pain is caused by another diagnosed impairment. Chronic pain can be caused by, for example, back injuries chronic renal illness, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

However, most chronic pain patients do not fulfill a Blue Book classification and must try to qualify for benefits through a “residual functional capacity,” or “RFC,” examination.

How Does an RFC Assessment Help You Qualify for Benefits?

A disability claims examiner from Disability Determination Services (DDS) will evaluate your physical and mental limits during an RFC examination. Your RFC is a paragraph that describes your peak physical and mental talents. Your RFC may specify time limits for sitting, standing, and walking, as well as weight limits for lifting and carrying. The claims examiner will then use your RFC to decide if your impairment prevents you from working full-time. (For additional details, visit our section on how Social Security determines disability based on your RFC.)

Unfortunately, claims examiners do not often take extreme pain claims seriously when creating your RFC. One reason for this is because pain statements from disability applicants are subjective and difficult to substantiate. Another factor is that doctors who actually treat disability applicants (the “treating physicians”) frequently fail to include your pain levels in their treatment notes and describe how your pain affects your ability to engage in everyday activities.

However, federal court decisions have maintained that disability examiners must consider the intensity, persistence, and limiting consequences of your pain symptoms on your ability to do basic employment tasks. They must take the following variables into account:

the location, duration, frequency, and intensity of your pain
how pain affects your daily activities
the factors that trigger your pain and make it worse
the type, dosage, effectiveness, and side effects of medication that you take for pain
other treatments you’ve used to relieve symptoms, such as acupuncture or physical therapy, and
other ways you relieve pain, such as lying down or applying ice.

In order for the following characteristics to appear in your medical record, your doctor should add information about them in their treatment notes. Your doctors’ opinions on the functional limits imposed by your pain and how long your chronic pain is projected to impair your capacity to function should be included.

Informing Australian Social Security How Your Pain Impairs Your Work Ability

Social Security will ask you to complete a disability report as part of your application. You can describe how your chronic pain physically limits you in the remarks area of this form. However, this can be difficult.

For example, you might be able to stand or walk for an hour without stopping if you grit your teeth against the discomfort. Or maybe a long stroll feels good at the time, but you pay for it later with achy muscles or tiredness. How would you put this in terms of Social Security?

When filling out your information, be honest about how your pain would impede your ability to work full-time.

If you can only stand or walk for two hours a day while ignoring severe discomfort, you probably won’t be able to stand or walk for two hours every day to accomplish your job. You might not want to suggest you can stand or walk for two hours in that situation.

Don’t forget to keep track of everything you do to relieve your pain during the day. Do you have to put your feet up on a regular basis? Do you need to sleep or lie down every day? Is it critical that you can stand up and stretch your legs whenever you want? Is it necessary to use heat or cold packs throughout the day?

You must list these physical limitations in your application because they impede your ability to work several full-time jobs. Remember, if you don’t write it down (and your doctor doesn’t either), Social Security won’t know all the ways your pain limits you.

How Chronic Pain’s Mental Effects Can Limit You

Don’t overlook the mental and emotional consequences of chronic pain. In order to prove impairment through the RFC exam, you may need to include information about how your pain impairs your mental capacity.

Even if Social Security determines that the physical effects of your suffering confine you to sedentary labor, there will still be plenty of jobs available to you, unless you can demonstrate that you lack the mental capacity for sedentary work.

Chronic pain frequently causes difficulty with concentration and memory. When you are distracted by discomfort, it might be difficult to acquire and retain new knowledge. Chronic pain might also make you irritated and impatient, making it difficult to get along with coworkers and superiors.

Because chronic pain can be difficult to live with, you should also examine the emotional implications of your suffering. Chronic pain can lead to sadness and anxiety. Furthermore, psychological stress may exacerbate discomfort.

Follow up with your medical doctors if they have ever indicated that you seek counseling or a psychological examination. Include any mental illness diagnosis or treatments in your disability application.

Finally

CBD Oil Benefits

The Comparison Between CBD Paste and CBD Oil

November 29, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

It is easy to be intimidated by a CBD paste because it comes in a syringe, it is black and thick, and appears to be something that should only be used by seasoned CBD users. However, despite this, it is not difficult to use and is an excellent source of a wide variety of naturally occuring cannabinoids, waxes, and terpenes. Users who are intermediate to advanced and those who requires high cannabis components are the ideal candidates for its use. CBD paste gives a more thorough CBD experience. Because of the product’s increased concentration of CBD, there is far less of a chance of unwanted side effects occuring.

CBD Pastes

A CBD paste is an extract of Cannabis sativa that has been prepared with the intention of preserving the naturally existing cannabinoids, amino acids, waxes, and terpenes. This was done throughout the extraction process. Imagine the hemp plant being stuffed inside a tube. It would be very difficult. There are a lot of people who think that the cbd oil uses and the hemp plant are at their peak when all of the naturally occuring chemicals and compounds are present. This includes a wide variety of cannabinoids, which are known to work together to boost and regulate each other’s effects.

CBD pastes deliver a substantial dose of the compound’s significant effects in a concentrated form. If you are seeking for a kind of CBD that is more powerful than others, you might consider trying CBD paste. On the other hand, due to the fact that it is in concentrated form, it is likely to have strong effects on the body and may not be appropriate for novices. On the other hand, if you are interested in researching and observing the effects of CBD, you could find that CBD pastes are the most suitable option for you.

The Comparison Between CBD Paste and CBD Oil

Customers frequently report that the paste saves them money and can be used for a significantly longer period of time because less is required to get the same level of success as when using twice as much CBD oil. You would typically take the paste in the same manner as the oil, but you would place a quantity equivalent to a pea (or as much as you felt comfortable with) beneath your tongue. In any other case, you may produce your own CBD oil by massaging the paste into your skin or adding it to a carrier oil.

CBD paste, in general, is a great option for consumers who wish to get more value for their money. At first glance, the price point of organic CBD paste appears to be more than that of gasoline; nevertheless, considering the fact that you will use much less at a time, it is really more cost-effective. Additionally, it generally contains more CBD than CBD oil does, which is another reason why it is preferable to utilise a CBD alternative that is more concentrated.

CBD Oils

It is as easy as it can possibly be stated: Cannabinoid chemical infused into a carrier oil (such as hemp seed oil, coconut or medium-chain triglyceride oil, or olive oil) to produce CBD oil. This may be accomplished by adding either an extracted form of full-spectrum CBD or an isolated form of CBD. CBD oil, for whatever reason, seems to be the CBD product that is the most popular and is typically the gateway that people take to begin their adventure with CBD.

The vast majority of these oils are sold in little bottles that come equipped with pipettes, and there are a variety of applications for them. The most frequent method involves placing a few drops of the oil just beneath the tongue. Other methods include applying the oil directly to the skin or combining it with one of your favorite beauty care products. The versatility of oil is one of its greatest assets, and both the essential oil and the carrier oil provide their own set of advantages to one’s health. For example, olive oil is great for your skin and hair, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil is one of the substances that has the potential to be one of the most helpful to one’s overall health on the entire globe. Therefore, in order to maximize the efficacy of the CBD product, you need pick a carrier oil that brings out the best in the cannabidiol’s properties.

There is more than one kind of CBD oil to choose from. The consistency and potency of these oils may be found in a wide range of different formats. They also have diverse flavours, which means that if you have a sensitive palate, you have the choice to select a flavour with a lighter taste. Additionally, CBD oils may have a viscous consistency and a strong flavour. In most cases, this is determined by the particular extract that serves as the CBD source.

Which is Better?

You can make your own decision on this, can’t you? When it comes to personal taste, there is no one right answer to the question of which option is superior to the other. It is the product that you feel gives you the best results and that you find to be the simplest to use. That indicates the primary factor that differentiates the two uses of the product is the user’s personal taste. CBD pastes are the way to go if you’re looking for a more immersive experience. The flavour of the paste is something that must be acquired over time because it is a raw and effective substance. On the other hand, CBD oils will be ideal for you if you want a variety of possibilities due to the fact that they are simple to consume, can be found in a variety of forms, and are adaptable.

One difference between CBD pastes and CBD oil is that the latter comes in liquid form. On the other hand, their impacts are comparable in most cases. In point of fact, CBD oil is derived from CBD paste, which is the pure CBD extract that has been obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. This raw material is used to make all of our herbal products that include full-spectrum CBD.

To know more about where to buy CBD oil in Australia and other CBD oil benefits, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.

CBD Oil Benefits

Is It Possible to Travel with CBD Oil?

November 29, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

It’s reasonable if you’re wary of transporting CBD oil in public or over international borders, given how frequently it’s spoken in the same breath as THC and cannabis. Even if you can take CBD oil to many areas without incident, it’s still smart to do your research before booking any trips to make sure you’re prepared for anything that may come up on the road.

First things first: a review of current CBD law in Australia. As of right now, CBD oil for chronic pain management or general product for must have to comply with the legal THC level in Australia, so you may buy it and carry it about without any trouble. This means that the entire product has less than 1 milli-gramme of THC, while in practise this threshold is usually set at a concentration of 0.2%. In the event that a product comes with a lab report, it should be simple to obtain this data and verify that it is safe and within regulatory limits. If you don’t have this data on hand, planning an extended trip may be difficult. In all other respects, travelling across Australia with CBD on you is entirely within the law.

Can One bring CBD oil on a plane?

The answer to this is “maybe.” Most airlines allow CBD oil, but check with your airline beforehand to be sure. There are a few things to verify before providing a comprehensive response. We need to investigate the legal status of CBD in the country you will be visiting in the same manner we did for Australia. There are certain limits, grey areas, and exceptions, but in general, CBD may be taken to many different nations and regions.

The threshold at which THC use becomes illegal varies from country to country. In Italy, for instance, the maximum legal THC content of a product is 0.6%. Other nations, like Germany and Portugal, need a prescription.

Moreover, think about the specific CBD product you intend to bring on your trip. When purchasing CBD oil or topicals, look for products that come in unambiguous containers with supporting laboratory data (we would also recommend having a copy of the lab report handy, whether printed or a digital copy on your phone, just in case).

However, it is not a good idea to try to go overseas while in possession of CBD flower (the dried hemp plant material used to make CBD tea). Without lab tests to establish THC levels, it is visually indistinguishable from Cannabis and extremely likely to be disputed, even if it falls below the legal limit.

If you’re unsure about whether or not to bring CBD products on your flight, it’s a good idea to contact the airline directly to find out their policy.

Planning Trip to Europe from Australia?

In terms of CBD oil, the vast majority of European countries are rather relaxed, with most having legislation and THC levels that are comparable to those of Australia. Only a few European nations (including Germany, Portugal, and Denmark) mandate prescriptions for CBD, while even fewer (such as Serbia and Slovakia, who have extremely stringent Cannabis laws) do not allow CBD. Many of these regulations are still in the works; they were written with cannabis in mind but haven’t yet addressed CBD explicitly. Legislation pertaining to CBD is anticipated to become more defined and less dependent on overarching legislation in the future.

Intending to visit the United States?

It can be difficult to keep track of the law in the United States because of the wide disparities between states and even within individual states. The standard piece of advise to learn the local regulations before travelling is still relevant here. Generally speaking, anecdotally speaking, the United States is more stringent in its examination of CBD products. Be advised that products that cannot be shown to be below the federal THC limit of 0.3%, or products that have been opened (in case the contents have been replaced), will likely be seized.

You should think about this as well while planning your trip back to Australia from the United States. It is allowed in the United States to acquire a CBD product containing up to 3% THC, yet it is illegal in Australia to import such a product.

So, in conclusion, before leaving for your destination, research the local rules and make sure to bring along a product that is both legally permitted and well below the legal THC level and is sealed.

Travel the World

We have established that legal systems across the world differ. While the vast majority of nations do permit CBD use, it is still important to double-check with your destination before you go. It’s also important to remember to check for flight changes. If your travels take you through the airports of more than one nation, you should familiarize yourself with their legislation before you depart. It is advised to err on the side of caution when dealing with CBD oil because a surprising number of nations, like Venezuela, Ecuador, and many portions of Africa, simply do not have well defined legislation in place yet.

This list provides a breakdown for the majority of the world’s countries, so you may learn more about the legal situations in those places.

The regulations governing CBD oil mirror the complexity and fluidity of the business it serves. Although accurate at the time of writing, major changes to regulations are inevitable in the months and years ahead as CBD gains international recognition. It’s not worth the anxiety of postponing a vacation if you don’t have to, so do your homework, check the rules, and only bring CBD with you if you’re sure you can beforehand.

To know more about where to buy CBD oil in Australia and other CBD oil benefits, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.

CBD Oil Benefits

Does CBD Oil Affect the Kidneys?

November 28, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

The number of people who say they have friends or family members who use CBD oil has increased substantially over the past few years due to the surging popularity of CBD oil.

However, given that it is still considered to be a relatively novel dietary supplement, it is reasonable for some individuals to be concerned regarding the effects that it may have on the body. The question of whether or not cbd oil benefits on the kidneys is one of those worries. Although studies on CBD oil have shown that it is generally safe and well accepted by the great majority of individuals, buyers of CBD oil products should still exercise caution in spite of these findings.

The cannabis plant contains over a hundred different cannabinoid chemicals, of which CBD is just one. In spite of the fact that it is extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD oil does not cause consumers to feel high in the same way that traditional cannabis does. Because of this, it is permissible to purchase CBD oil in Australia and in a large number of other nations around the world. CBD has been shown to have an effect on the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of pathways and receptors that are dispersed throughout the neurological systems of the body.

CB1 and CB2 receptors are the building blocks of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). These receptors play an important role in homoeostasis, which refers to the capacity of the body to maintain a constant level of function in spite of the influence of environmental conditions such as temperature.

Because CBD and the other cannabinoid compounds aren’t naturally present in our bodies, many people use CBD oil as a dietary supplement in the same way that they might take a vitamin every day. This helps to ensure that the body has everything it needs to perform its functions in the most effective manner possible, despite the fact that our bodies do produce a trace amount of endocannabinoids naturally.

Functions Your Kidneys Carry Out

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that are located high up in the abdominal cavity, one on either side of the spine. They are responsible for eliminating any toxins or chemicals from the blood that they get from the renal arteries and turning waste into urine, which is then excreted by the body. Their principal purpose is to filter and process the blood that they receive from the renal arteries. In addition to this, they assist in the regulation of the quantity of water that is contained inside the body and the transformation of a vitamin D precursor into the active form of the vitamin.

Your kidneys are continually working away in the background, and in a period of 24 hours, they filter an astounding 150 litres of blood and create around 1.5 litres of urine. This is an incredible amount of work for such a small organ.

Staying well hydrated and eating a diet that is balanced are both important things to do if you want to keep your kidneys in good health. However, it is also important to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol because both of these things can lead to high blood pressure, which is one of the most common causes of kidney disease.

Is It Possible That CBD Oil Could Harm Your Kidneys?

To have an effect on your body, CBD oil, like many other drugs, must first enter the circulation and then find its way to the specific receptors that are located throughout your body in order for it to have that effect. As a result of the fact that it is absorbed into the circulation, there appears to be some worry among prospective users over the effect that this may have on the functioning of the kidneys.

However, there are some worries regarding the quality of some of the products that are now available on the market. A study that was conducted in 2020 showed that there is no evidence to suggest that CBD oil has any harmful effect on the function of the kidneys.

The cannabis plant, particularly the hemp plant that is used to manufacture CBD products, is very good at absorbing substances from the soil in which it is grown. CBD products are made from the hemp plant. This ensures that the plants are full of nutrients by the time they are ready to be harvested, which is the case with all of the items in the CBD One collection because they are cultivated organically.

Toxic pollutants, including as heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents, may nonetheless find their way into the plant and, as a result, the end product if it is cultivated by unscrupulous resellers. These contaminants can be found in plants that have been grown. Because of the potential for these low-quality items to put customers at danger, it is essential to obtain your CBD oil in Australia from a reliable source from whom you can obtain lab tests that detail the specific composition of the product you are purchasing.

Can it Affect the Kidney Functions?

Failure of the kidneys to perform their normal function of filtering waste materials from the blood is the primary cause of renal failure. When this occurs, toxins begin to accumulate in the body, which, if not handled, can lead to serious health problems or even death.

There is a wide range of potential causes for this, some of which include chronic conditions or traumatic experiences. However, it is also possible for this to be the result of toxic exposure to particular chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

An examination of the use of cannabis in the treatment of the symptoms of chronic kidney disease came to the conclusion that “cannabis itself has not been shown to be associated with a loss of kidney function.” This is despite the fact that low-quality CBD products might contain potentially harmful contaminants that could have an effect on kidney function.

In Conclusion

In a nutshell, CBD has repeatedly been demonstrated to be safe, and studies have shown that the great majority of people are able to handle it without any adverse effects.

On the other hand, as is the case with any dietary supplement, items of inferior quality can have any number of unsavoury components or toxins that we would do well to avoid.

If you are interested in trying CBD oil, you should search for a brand that can give you with lab results to verify the components of their goods. Additionally, you should only buy CBD oil from reliable sources so that you can be certain the product you are purchasing is authentic.

To know more about where to buy CBD oil in Australia and other CBD oil benefits, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.

Health Tips

Michigan company gets grant for hemp-based soil research

November 26, 2022January 2, 2023
by Tyler Ambrose

Michigan-based Heartland Industries has received a $360,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in support of Hemp4Soil, a soil innovation program.

The three-year grant, from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, will support Heartland in partnerships with farming communities intended to advance research on soil health and carbon sequestration.

“This research will provide actionable conclusions that will impact the future of farming and regenerative agriculture,” Heartland said in a press release.

Regenerative

The Hemp4Soil project aims to quantify the impact of adding hemp and regenerative farming practices to crop rotations. Heartland said it has already identified farms across 10 states for participation in the program, and has the opportunity to expand the research to more states.

Heartland and the partner farms will incorporate hemp into a soil health management system that has the potential to reduce the need for herbicides, pesticides and insecticides, cut water usage, increase carbon capture in soil, boost nitrogen and replenish soil nutrients.

Impact of hemp

The project will test the impact of regenerative farming practices and cultivating hemp in fields that are used for traditional row crops. Those practices can lead to increased yields of other crops such as corn, soy and wheat that are grown on the same acreage in following years, Heartland said.

Heartland said its collection of comprehensive datasets on the impact that hemp farming has on soil and carbon sequestration will set the framework for trading in agriculture carbon credits.

Heartland, based in Detroit, is an industrial hemp material processor which works with farmers and manufacturers to ensure the consistency of bio-based additives that can be used in raw material supply chains. The company said it is building a hemp supply chain to provide renewable additives to plastics manufacturers and resin suppliers.

Company leadership

Heartland reported in April that it had secured financing to build a hemp fiber processing factory that could eventually process 1.5 million pounds of hemp per year sourced from Michigan farmers.

The company, which was started in July 2020, is led by CEO Jesse Henry, whose background is primarily in raising capital. He was previously a management consultant under Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker. Henry co-founded Heartland with Tim Almond, a tech entrepreneur who serves as Chairman. The two are also identified as managing partners in Cloud Nine Capital, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based developer of supply chain technology that started in 2016.

More to read – The Comparison Between CBD Paste and CBD Oil