Steps to Address Chronic Pain

Sleep deprivation and interrupted sleep are substantial issues for people who experience chronic pain (pain lasting longer than 3 months). Chronic pain doesn’t stop just because you’re ready to go to hit the hay. Pain issues often flare up at night, making it harder to reach dreamland and stay there. In fact, research has shown that people with chronic pain have an average nightly sleep debt of 42 minutes (i.e. Getting 42 minutes less sleep than they should). 

Sleep and pain have a bidirectional relationship. For instance, many people report their painful symptoms are somewhat alleviated after a better night’s sleep. For those living with chronic pain, prioritising sleep may be a key component in the path to recovery.

Whether you’re dealing with lower back pain, headaches, facial pain, or joint or muscle pain like arthritis, severe discomfort has the tendency to wake you up throughout the night, leading to fragmented sleep. To make matters worse, that sleep deprivation can intensify whatever you’re dealing with.

All of which adds up to this: if you’re suffering from chronic pain, taking steps to minimise your night-time discomfort could help you sleep better. And by sleeping better, you could actually end up feeling a little bit less uncomfortable the next day. Many people are reporting great benefits from using cannabidiol CBD for a variety of issues including pain relief caused by various conditions such as arthritis.

Depending on where you’re hurting, certain positions may help you sleep more soundly. Here are some adjustments to try before seeking advice from an orthopaedic or pain doctor:

Back pain

Sleep on your back or side with a pillow beneath your knees to take pressure off of your spine. If your pain is frequent or severe, we recommend investing in the best mattress for back pain and pairing it with an adjustable bed frame. Mattresses designed for pain relief support healthy spinal alignment, which can ease discomfort and prevent future pressure points.

Neck pain

Sleep on your side with a pillow that’s higher under your neck than under your head. Or, sleep on your back with a flat pillow.

Shoulder or hip pain

Lighten the pressure and sensitivity by sleeping on the side that’s pain-free.

Heartburn

Sleep with a wedge pillow or on your left side. Both make it harder for acid to escape your stomach.

Of course, if you’re dealing with really serious discomfort, it’s likely that changing your sleep position will only take you so far. For deeper relief, it might make sense to take a look at your mattress. If yours is more than eight to ten years old, it’s probably worn out and sagging in the middle. So instead of sleeping on a flat, supportive surface, you’re sleeping in a space that’s sort of like a hole.

What kind of mattress should you get? 

That depends on how you like to sleep. Side sleepers might do best with a plush to medium firm mattress, while those who prefer sleeping on their backs will do better with a mattress that’s medium to firm. If you sleep on your stomach, a firmer bed might be best, since it can help keep your upper body from bowing down. Considering your personal preferences and sleep needs will steer you towards the best mattress for you.

Why use CBD for pain management?

There is a high chance that most people will suffer constant or continual pain at some point in their lives. Traditionally, constant, and chronic pain has been treated with much opioid-based painkillers.

In recent years, however, the consequences of opioid dependence have become more apparent, and people are starting to understand that they are not a long-term solution for neuropathic pain due to their devastating side effects. 

Enter CBD aka cannabidiol or cannabis oil. A compound derived from cannabis that has natural pain managing qualities with none of the drawbacks of painkillers. 

Medically reviewed studies on CBD oil for pain relief have shown it to effectively alleviate pain associated with many health conditions, including fibromyalgia, Chron’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. The more product development and medically reviewed research undertaken, the more benefits we can hopefully discover and verify from CBD/cannabidiol as a form of pain relief.

How does CBD work for pain relief?

CBD is one of many compounds found within the hemp plant. These compounds are known as ‘Cannabinoids’. CBD is non-psychoactive and is scientifically proven to provide a multitude of health benefits. CBD, as well as other cannabinoids, work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.

Our body produces its own cannabinoids, which are then picked up by our cannabinoid receptors, which can regulate our immune system, bone growth, mood, appetite, and many others.

By using hemp-derived CBD products and introducing plant-based cannabinoids into our bodies, we can stimulate these receptors and reap the benefits of our natural endocannabinoid system.

CBD for pain relief

Not all pain can be treated the same way. There are many different triggers for pain, and the specific experience is different for people and different conditions. The natural anti-inflammatory qualities of CBD make it ideal for those with arthritis. Using CBD on your sin lets its enter your bloodstream in a different way from consuming it orally. 

For muscle soreness and relaxation, Dreem recommends:

Bed Balm – A potent muscle-relaxing salve

Formulated with broad-spectrum CBD and our proprietary tension relieving botanical Dreem Complex. Particularly effective at easing aching joints and tight necks and shoulders, this concentrated balm is a pre-sleep saviour. Non-greasy and easily absorbed, massage Bed Balm into localised areas and melt away stress.

Among the Stars – Sublime CBD Body Oil

The finest sleep-inducing body oil imaginable. A luxuriously lightweight conditioning natural base oil is infused with our Dreem Complex of aromatherapy oils, skin-absorbable CBD and calming botanicals, plus additional organic essential oils renowned for their soporific effects.

*DREEM TIP*

Massage a small amount of bed balm or body oil into targeted areas as desired. Ideal for reflexology and pressure point massage.