March 19, 2024

National Pain Awareness Month Article

By Laura Grueser, Certified Community Health Worker 1

Pain. We KNOW that we feel it, but what CAUSES us tofeel it?

When we are in pain, it’s because the sensory nerve fibers in our bodies transmit pain signals to the spinal cord. The signal crosses the spinal cord and then reaches the brain. Our brain then makes us conscious of the pain. This seems like such a simple explanation for a very complex and, at times, debilitating problem.

Laura Grueser

September is National Pain Awareness month. This means that a whole month is set aside to evaluate and educate ourselves on what is causing our pain and how to deal with it. Unfortunately, not all pain remedies will work for everyone, which is why some people turn to prescribed medicines and others turn to natural remedies like caryophyllene. Our pain can be chronic, which means that it’s on-going. Some examples of chronic pain are headaches, arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica and irritable bowel syndrome.

Some of these painful conditions may last weeks at a time, or they could be ongoing, with varying levels of intensity. When you’re suffering from this type of pain, all you want to do is find a course of treatment or medication that can help to relieve some of your symptoms. In these circumstances, some people may decide to turn their attention toward alternative relief, that can be found at places similar to every day optimal cbd. In recent years, CBD has become more popular amongst people who are suffering from physical ailments, as well as mental ones too, such as anxiety, stress, and depression. In the majority of cases, people may only try medical cannabis like chemo kush if they have found that their pain is too severe, or because other courses of treatment haven’t been effective. You are also less likely to take it if you’re suffering from acute pain.

Acute pain is something that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. Its existence is shorter in length, usually no more than three to six months. This type of pain includes pulled muscles, broken bones, burns, bruises, cuts, labor pains and menstrual cramps.

In order to help those who suffer from chronic pain manage their symptoms, the Meigs County Health Department will be hosting Chronic Pain Self-Management classes. These classes will be held every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. starting September 26 through October 31, in the Health Department Conference Room. Some may also find that options like EDO CBD could help them through these experiences, though speaking to a doctor first would be wise.

These classes will focus on managing pain through the mind-body connection/distraction, dealing with difficult emotions, breathing and relaxation, healthy eating, communication skills and evaluation of treatments, as will as, decision making and action planning. The classes will be taught by Certified Community Health Workers Kiera Frank and Laura Grueser. For more information and to register for the classes, call the Health Department at 740-992-6626.