CBD success stories: opioid reduction, sleep, anti-inflammatory

Multiple doctors of chiropractic report CBD success stories in regard to a number of ailments

More than nine in 10 health care practitioners report having patients who’ve either talked about or had questions about cannabidiol (CBD) — a cannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant that has been linked to numerous health benefits — according to a recent survey conducted by the Clinical Advisor.

A 2019 study published in The Journal of Pain found that 57.45% of the respondents indicated that CBD helped ease their pain-based conditions. Another 2019 study, this one presented in The Permanente Journal, indicated that 79.2% of patients experienced reduced levels of anxiety within the first month of taking CBD, with 66.7% further stating how their sleep improved as well.

However, sometimes patients want to hear real-life stories about how CBD has helped people outside of a laboratory setting. In that case, here are a few success stories to consider sharing.

CBD success stories: osteoarthritis

“The main complaint that I have had patients tell me about is some type of long-standing osteoarthritis,” says Alex Tauberg, DC, CSCS, CCSP®, owner of Tauberg Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Pittsburg, Penn.

“Several of my patients whose professions involve the use of their hands to perform fine motor skills have told me how they use the salve on their hands when they start to ache. Anecdotally this gives them relief and allows them to continue performing their job even when their pain is flaring up.”

Fibromyalgia and CBD

Rubina Tahir, DC, says that CBD has also helped patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. 

In one case, a male patient found relief after being “so tired of OTC [over-the-counter] pain killers and terrified of opioid addiction as he lost a close friend to overdose,” says Tahir. “He keeps a roll-on in his pocket and he applies it generously three times a day on his wrists and to the back of his neck. He says it changed his life because he can apply it anytime, it’s portable, and he gets a few hours of relief.”

Disc herniation relief

Tahir also has CBD success stories from patients with neck disc herniation. For instance, one patient relied on “taking oxys” says Tahir, but couldn’t take them while working. So, when the pain got bad enough, the patient just had to take the day off. Now she takes CBD instead.

“She gets so much pain relief by taking CBD daily,” says Tahir. “In addition, as an executive she doesn’t miss work and her productivity is better.”  

Reducing reliance on opioids

“I became more comfortable suggesting CBD oil to patients after I met an orthopedist from Indiana who had been able to safely help about half of his patients come off of opioid medication,” says Wendy Twohey, DC, owner of the Dr. Gil Center for Back, Neck, and Chronic Pain Relief in Franklin, Tenn. “That got my attention.”

Anti-inflammatory treatment without the use of NSAIDS

Twohey also shares CBD success stories from patients looking for ways to reduce inflammation without the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), a category of medications that can be harmful to the kidneys and the gut.

“People who have had recent regenerative treatments, such as stem cell or exosomes injections, need to remain off NSAIDs,” adds Twohey. “CBD oil can be a safe and effective alternative for them.”

Improved sleep

“Many patients report that they are able to sleep better when taking CBD,” says Twohey. This is important since the American Sleep Association reports that as many as 70 million adult Americans have some type of sleep disorder.

“Sleep can help the body recuperate from injury,” adds Twohey, making getting adequate rest even more important for individuals who are trying to recover.

Improving patients’ CBD success

As a DC, you can potentially help patients increase the likelihood of success with CBD by offering some basic use guidelines.

For instance, if a patient has generalized, “hurt all over” pain, Twohey says that CBD oil is “most effective if taken orally.” This includes patients with systemic issues or chronic pain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. “These patients report feeling netter and being less achy upon waking,” says Twohey.

Alternatively, if the pain is more location-specific, Twohey recommends a topical CBD instead. “It can be applied directly to the painful area for hours of relief,” Twohey says.