Maximizing Pain Relief: Topicals & Epidermis Layers | Online Chiropractic CE Posted on Oct 11, 2023
The Science of Topical Pain Relief | Online Chiropractic CE
CCEDseminars | #1 World Wide Choice For Online Chiropractic CEAs healthcare professionals, it's essential to understand the science behind topical pain relief. Topicals, whether they contain hemp-derived cannabis, menthol, or other active ingredients, work by interacting with the layers of epidermis and dermis. While very little of the product gets absorbed systemically into the bloodstream, their local effects can be significant.
One critical aspect to consider when using topicals for pain relief is particle size. Smaller particles are generally less irritating when applied to the skin, and they can enhance the product's effectiveness.
Counterirritants, often containing ingredients like menthol or camphor, are among the most recommended topicals for pain relief. They create a sensation of burning or tingling, which patients often interpret as the topical working to relieve their pain. To optimize their performance, it's crucial to ensure that these active ingredients reach the site of inflammation and pain quickly.
Dosing and Frequency: To achieve the desired relief, patients need to understand the proper dose and frequency of application. While the initial dose can be administered in the office, it's essential for patients to continue with at-home applications. This approach keeps the sensation going, whether it's a warming or cooling effect or a concentration of hemp-derived cannabis for anti-inflammatory relief.
Studies have measured the permeation rates of topicals into human skin, revealing their ability to penetrate the layers of epidermis. Some cannabinoids, such as CBD, are more effective at crossing the skin barrier than others, making them valuable options for localized pain relief.
Deep Skin Penetration and Local Tissue Effects: Carrier ingredients in a product, like ethanol, can enhance the topical's penetration across the skin. Concentrated topicals often yield better results, emphasizing the importance of concentration in achieving the desired relief.
The Role of Terpenes and Inactive Ingredients
Topicals can also be influenced by their aroma, which often depends on the presence of terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic organic hydrocarbons found in plant essential oils, and they contribute to both the distinct smell and therapeutic benefits of the product. Terpenes such as eucalyptus, clove, and peppermint can work synergistically with other natural ingredients for optimal benefits.
Excipients, often referred to as "inactive" ingredients, play a crucial role in affecting the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the product. They can influence solubility, stability, the release of active ingredients, and skin penetration. As a healthcare professional, it's essential to choose topicals with non-toxic ingredients and additives, avoiding substances like parabens and phthalates.
When considering topicals, select those that are third-party tested for potency and purity. This ensures the product's safety and effectiveness for your patients.
Enhancing Patient Comfort and Pain Relief
The sensation experienced when applying topicals can vary with skin temperature, affecting patient preference. Physical therapies that increase skin temperature, such as laser or TECAR, versus those that decrease it, like cold therapy, can explain these differences.
In chiropractic care and online chiropractic CE programs, combining the use of topicals with other modalities can significantly benefit patients. As part of a multimodal treatment approach that includes hands-on therapy and advanced technologies like percussion massagers, shockwave, TECAR, laser, and electrical cupping devices, topicals can provide valuable pain relief.
The synergy between topicals and these treatments allows patients to experience faster recovery and pain relief. As a healthcare professional, you have the opportunity to offer your patients a holistic approach to pain management, providing them with the care and relief they need.
In conclusion, topicals offer a noninvasive, fast-acting, and self-administered solution for pain relief. Understanding their mechanisms of action, choosing the right products, and educating patients on proper dosing and application frequency are key to maximizing their effectiveness. By integrating topicals into your chiropractic practice and online CE programs, you can enhance patient comfort and promote faster recovery, offering a well-rounded approach to pain management.
Stay tuned for more informative content on chiropractic care and the latest advancements in pain relief. CCEDseminars strives to continually bring you high quality onlin e chiropractic ce instruction from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go!
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