CBD as an Alternative to Opioids
Chronic pain is the number one cause of long-term disability in the US. Over 100 million Americans suffer from some degree. In this presentation conventional and alternative treatments will be discussed. The shift to natural treatments is gaining popularity to assist people afflicted with pain syndromes.
In This Webinar You Will Learn…
- The most common types of chronic pain
- The impact of chronic pain on our mental, social and emotional health.
- Diagnostic modalities to confirm the etiology of pain.
- Chronic pain treatments and a brief discussion of the opioid crisis.
Benefits of Attending This Webinar
- Become aware of the impact chronic pain has on our lives and health care system.
- Know some of the cutting edge alternative treatment methods that are available.
- Be able to access support from family and the community on awareness and how they can be an integral part of the treatment process.
Who Is Dr. Denise Tropea, DPM?
Who Is Dr. Denise Tropea, DPM?Dr. Denise Tropea is a board-certified foot surgeon and has maintained a private practice in Las Vegas for 25 years. She is originally from the New York / New Jersey area and completed her studies at the Scholl College of Podiatry in Chicago. She then went on to complete a 2-year residency in surgery and orthopedics in Salt Lake City before opening her practice in Las Vegas. In 2016 she closed her practice in Las Vegas to follow her passion in health and wellness. Her knowledge of medicine, treatment of chronic conditions, the importance of supplementation and exercise, along with her extraordinary skill as a health educator give her the cutting edge in assisting people in creating their optimal mind, body and soul health.
It’s all about wellness with Dr. Tropea. She combines nutrition, exercise and supplementation, which is the foundation to a successful transformation. Every one of us has the power to be the person that we dream of.
Her knowledge of medicine, treatment of chronic conditions and the importance of supplementation gives her the cutting edge in assisting you in creating optimal health. The tools that Dr. Tropea utilizes has been proven to guide your mind, body and soul. This is what health is all about and the vast majority of people seek the knowledge so they can heal themselves. An initial consultation is the first step to find out what your needs are and how to start the journey.
Webinar Slides
Webinar Notes
Chronic Pain, the Impact on Our Overall Health and Alternative Ways to Treat It
Dr. Denise Tropea
Podiatrist
Board Certified Foot Surgeon
Definition of Chronic Pain and Statistics
- Pain lasting more than 12 weeks due to illness or injury.
- #1 cause of long-term disability in the United States
- One third of people suffer from low back pain and over 50 billion health care dollars are spent on treatment alone.
Types of Chronic Pain
● Neuropathic: Nerve pain due to mechanical or systemic problems
● Somatic: Skin and muscle pain
● Visceral: Pain in the trunk of the body
● Nociceptive: Sensory nerve system hypersensitivity
● Psychogenic: Headaches or stomach pain due to mental or emotional issues
Diagnostic Tests
- X-rays: detects bone abnormalities, arthritis, malalignment, and bone density issues
- MRI: examines the bones, discs, spinal cord, soft tissues, and inflammation
- CT Scans: bone and joint problems, tumors, and subtle bone fractures
- EMG: test that measures the electrical activity of skeletal muscles. This is for diagnosis of weakness and neuromuscular diseases.
- NCV: Nerve conduction study that detects nerve damage and impingement, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or problems due to systemic diseases such as diabetes.
Conventional vs. Alternative Treatments
Conventional:
- Nerve blocks
- Chiropractic treatment
- Medications such as NSAIDS or Opioids
- Diet/supplementation
- Physical therapy
Alternative:
- Acupuncture
- Surgery
- Exercise programs (yoga)
- CBD
Opioid Crisis
This began in the late 1990s with an increase widespread misuse of these medications.
The perfect storm occurred due to the following factors:
- Misinterpretation by pharmaceutical companies on these medications
- Weak regulation
- Over-prescribing
The Current Opioid Situation
- DEA enforces guidelines on limiting prescribing by doctors
- A vast majority of chronic pain patients have to be seen by pain management doctors and sign contracts with them to control how much of the medication they receive monthly.
- The majority of people are having to reduce the amount of opioid they are accustomed to taking. This leads to withdrawals and increased pain.
CBD Oil
- Legal in 30 states
- Non psychoactive part of the marijuana plant
- Cannabidiol comes from the hemp plant and it does not produce a high like marijuana
- CBD has little to no THC
Why CBD Works
- CBD works on the endocannabinoid system
- These are receptors present in our cells that regulate sleep, mood, pain and inflammation.
- In 1973, the system was discovered as being an opiate receptor in our brain.
- In 1988, a government funded study at St. Louis University School of Medicine, demonstrated that we have receptor sites to respond to cannabis.
Endocannabinoid Deficiency
- This deficiency has been linked to fibromyalgia, migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome.
- A deficiency can develop due to our diets, dependent on sugar, carbohydrates, grains, and processed foods.
Tips When Evaluating CBD Products
- Third party testing in which the result should be available on the website
- Purity of the product
- Consumer reviews on effectiveness
It is important to speak with your doctor before using CBD.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dealing with chronic pain can have an impact on the five pillars of our health. Support from family and communities can help people cope with chronic pain to result in successful treatment.
Denise Tropea, D.P.M.
702-339-1622
beehealthy2016@gmail.com
