Annotated Bibliographies

The College of St. Scholastica. (2018, April 23). 9 Physical Therapy Specialties to Pursue in
Your Career. Retrieved August 31, 2019, from The College of St. Scholastica website:
http://www.css.edu/the-sentinel-blog/physical-therapy-specialties-to-pursue-in-your-car
er.html

This article explains nine different specialties a physical therapist could be. A pediatric
physical therapist works with children from infants to teenagers on developmental growth
disorders or conditions. Physical therapists who specialize in sports medicine assist those who
have sustained an injury from a sport. A Women’s health specialist focuses on different
conditions women experience. They are experts on the women's musculoskeletal systems and
how certain conditions differ from men. Geriatrics specialize in assisting the elderly with age-
related conditions. The goal is to keep the elderly as physically fit as they can be at their age.
Electrophysiology uses electrotherapy and wound management as its two main sources of
treatment for patients. Cardiovascular specialists help patients who have a heart condition or has
had a heart attack. They help improve endurance and help to lower stress. A physical therapist
who specializes in neurology strides to treat spinal and nerve issues. These conditions can hinder
balance, movement, and coordination. Orthopedics is one of the more popular specialties that
treat muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. Oncology is a specialty that assists those with cancer.
Physical therapists in this field help patients regain strength and endurance they have lost due to
the symptoms of their cancer.
The author, College of St. Scholastica, is qualified to discuss the specialties of physical
therapy because their experience includes offering physical therapy as a major a student can
study at their school. Written one year ago, this source is current on the topic of the different
specialties physical therapists can do. The author gave the audience a good background on all of
the specialties discussed. The information contained in the source can be verified by the
American Physical Therapy Association in their publication “Role of Physical Therapists”. For
example, the author says that heat ice strengthening and stretching are common methods of
treatments. The purpose of this article is to educate an audience that is interested in studying
physical therapy but are unsure of what to specialize in. The article is appropriate for this
purpose and audience because this article helps the audience understand nine different specialties
in physical therapy. I learned about oncology as a specialty, and how they assist cancer patients
during or after their treatment. I never knew this existed and I think it is a very interesting
specialty.
Low Back Pain in Athletes. (2003). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from University of Maryland
Medical Center website:
https://www.umms.org/ummc/health-services/orthopedics/services/spine/patient-guides/
low-back-pain-athletes
 Lower back pain is an issue that many athletes deal with. The constant repetition and
stress athletes put on their spines can cause lower back pain. Lower back pain can be treated
without many disruptions to physical activity, but most athletes don't seek help to avoid the
restrictions on activity. Most athletes believe it will heal on its own and take medication to
temporarily ease the pain, but this can lead to a more serious injury. A common lower back
injury is musculoligamentous strain. This is characterized as any injury to the lumbar spine’s soft
tissue (muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels). These injuries usually do not
spread or get worse, and heal with time. Physical therapy is used to help a patient prevent further
injury to the lumbar spine. Another lumbar spine injury that is common in athletes is
spondylolysis. Spondylolysis is when there is a large amount of stress on the pars interarticularis,
the thin bone that joins two vertebrae. Physical therapy is used to help reduce the pain but in
some cases, a brace or surgery could be necessary. Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP) is another
common sport-related back injury. This is caused when an athlete’s intervertebral disc shifts
from its normal position due to the immense pressure on the spine. The herniated disc
compresses nerves and can cause numbness, pain, change in reflex and tingling. HNP occurs in
the lumbar spine because it supports more pressure than the thoracic or cervical. Physical therapy
is used to help ease the pain of the injury as well as strengthen the area to prevent further
movement of the discs. The treatment can vary based on the symptoms and severity of the injury.
This article was written by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMS). The
UMMS is a reliable source because they have doctors who are professionals in the field of
medicine. Although the article was published in 2003, it is relevant to the topic of lower back
pain because it gives an overview of well-established conditions. The description of a condition
does not change, so the article is still accurate and relevant. The article “9 Physical Therapy
Specialties to Pursue in your career” by the College of St. Scholastica is a source that supports
the information in this article. Both discuss how physical therapy is used to heal athletes with
sports-related injuries and have the same information. The article reviews the causes of lower
back pain in athletes as well as the most common injuries related to lower back pain. It states
only known facts about the condition, so it is unbiased by other opinions. The audience for this
source is athletes who are looking to educate themselves on different lower back injuries they
have. The article effectively informs the audience of the causes of symptoms and treatment
options for the most common lower back injuries an athlete can get. This source helped me
understand the causes of common lower back injuries, and how physical therapy is essential to
an athlete’s recovery and prevention.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, May 22). Peripheral neuropathy. Retrieved August 31, 2019,
from the Mayo Clinic website:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms-cause
/syc-20352061

This article is about a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a

result of damaged nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. A person's peripheral nervous
system sends sensory information to the nervous system and the brain. This condition can cause
a range of symptoms such as sharp pain, numbness, falling, and muscle weakness. Some causes
of peripheral neuropathy are autoimmune diseases, tumors, diabetes, traumas (car accidents),
alcoholism, and some medications. Physical therapy is a method of treatment for patients that
experience muscle weakness, and patients that have shooting pain. A physical therapist can help
improve the movement in a patient through exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles
that are weakened by peripheral neuropathy. Another method that is used is a kind of
electrotherapy called Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A TENS machine
sends an electric current at different frequencies to help alleviate pain. Patients with peripheral
neuropathy usually apply TENS for thirty minutes every day for about one month.
This article by the Mayo Clinic is reliable because the organization is a well-known
source. The Mayo Clinic is recognized as a source that educates the public on a variety of
different health conditions. The article was written in 2019 so it is relevant to the topic of
peripheral neuropathy. The article “Types of Physical Therapy Treatments” by Southern
California Health Institute (SOCHi) confirms the facts in this article. Both discuss electrotherapy
as a method for alleviating pain. TENS is a very common method of electrotherapy for physical
therapists that stimulates the nerves and muscles. The audience for this article is people who
want to learn more about peripheral neuropathy. This article is effective for the audience because
it gives an overview of the whole condition. It gives causes, symptoms, treatments, and
prevention methods for peripheral neuropathy. The article gives facts instead of opinions which
makes it an unbiased source for the audience to view. This article has shown me the importance
of methods like the TENS machine. It is a better alternative to decrease pain than certain
medications, like opioids, that could have other health risks. Also, I have personally been treated
with a TENS machine in physical therapy, so seeing it as a helpful method for other conditions is
amazing.
Physical Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from My Child at Cerebral Palsy website:
https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/treatment/therapy/physical-therapy

Cerebral Palsy is a developmental disease that causes loss of motor function. It occurs
when the brain is damaged in development and causes issues with body movement, muscle
control and coordination, posture, and balance. For children, signs of cerebral palsy are not
always noticeable at birth, but a little later in life when they are missing developmental
milestones. Although there is not a cure for cerebral palsy it can be managed and those with the
disease can live a long healthy life. Physical therapy is used to help a child or a patient with
cerebral palsy regain the motor functions they have lost or do not have. This is done by helping
the patient improve their flexibility and by strengthening their bodies. By doing exercises the
patient can move without pain. Depending on the severity of cerebral palsy a child could lead a
near-normal life. Many patients have attended college, played sports, and have done very well in
their careers. For kids with cerebral palsy, there are a few methods that physical therapists use.
They use joint and soft tissue mobilization, stretching, and endurance exercises to meet the
patient's treatment goal.
 This article is from a reliable source, that specializes in educating the public about
children with cerebral palsy. The site gives useful tips and facts about cerebral palsy while
limiting opinions and bias in their articles. It covers what cerebral palsy is, what symptoms it can
cause, and the benefits for children who undergo therapy when they are diagnosed. This article
has similar facts to “9 Physical Therapy Specialties to Pursue in your career” by the College of
St. Scholastica. Both discuss that therapy is a common method of treatment for children with
cerebral palsy. This gives the audience a good background on the topic while expanding to how
physical therapy can help treat the condition. The audience is people who are interested in
learning more about cerebral palsy. A large target audience is parents of children who have been
diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and are looking for more information about it. For example, I
learned that some patients with cerebral palsy can be rehabilitated to a level where they can live
a near-normal life with fewer mobility restrictions.

Physical therapy for scoliosis. (2019). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from Gillette Children's
Specialty Healthcare website:
https://www.gillettechildrens.org/conditions-care/physical-therapy-for-scoliosis?
v=2&utm_expid=.zpbaWlJpR_OTV636Fl2bGA.2&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.google.com%2F
This article gives an overall coverage of physical therapy for children with scoliosis.
Scoliosis is when a patient has an abnormal curve in their spine. It is normally described as an
“s” or “c” shape curve. Physical therapy is used to assist a patient in reducing the symptoms of
scoliosis. Physical therapists use the Schroth method, a method that uses exercises customized to
the patient instead of surgery, to help alleviate the symptoms patients experience. For children
with scoliosis, the goals are to improve strength and posture while decreasing pain and trunk
imbalance. If needed, braces are another method along with therapy that can help patients with
scoliosis. This treatment is beneficial to children over the age of ten and those who have a curve
greater than twenty degrees. In therapy, a child can expect to be evaluated in their range of
motion, posture, pain, and lung function. After the evaluation, a therapist will create a treatment
plan and schedule weekly appointments with the patient. Also, the physical therapist will give
the patient exercises to complete at home. The Schroth method is a great alternative to surgery
for patients with scoliosis and can be just as effective in decreasing the symptoms.
This article is a reliable source because the site is a healthcare organization that has
treated children with scoliosis. They are knowledgeable on the topic of physical therapy for
scoliosis and have experience with patients. The article is accurate because it was updated in
2019, so it is relevant on treatment for scoliosis patients. The article is objective and is stating the
facts and benefits of physical therapy. The audience is people who are looking for information on
treatment for scoliosis. The article is useful for this audience because it gives background on the
physical therapy process, so patients know what to expect and the possible results from physical
therapy. The article is accurate because it is supported by “Role of a physical therapist” by the
APTA. Both articles explain the process of evaluating a patient to create a treatment plan that
best suits them. There are many overlaps in information from both sources, so they confirm that
this method of evaluating is reliable. This source gives insight into the benefits of physical
therapy over surgery for scoliosis.

Ries, E. (2017, March). Beyond Rest: Physical Therapists and Concussion Management.
Retrieved August 31, 2019, from APTA website:
http://www.apta.org/ptinmotion/2017/3/feature/beyondrest/

This article focuses on how physical therapists are working to treat concussions. A
concussion is a brain trauma that causes a person's head to shake back and forth. It can be caused
by bumps or blows to the head and can occur during sports or other traumas. Concussions can
cause dizziness headaches, loss of memory, and confusion. Medical professionals said that the
only way to heal a concussion is to rest, but recent evidence has surfaced that contradicts that
statement. Lauren Ziaks is the directs the concussion management program at Wasatch Physical
Therapy and Sports Medicine in Park City. The program sees about 200,000 patients a year, and
all patients concussions are unique. The brain is a complex organ that professionals still do not
have a full understanding of, so that makes treatment challenging for physical therapists. Ziaks
discusses that a physical therapist who treats concussions must be well educated and agile when
dealing with patients. She also talks about how physical therapists need to know when to refer a
patient to another specialist when the injury is out of their field of expertise. Treatment and
management of concussions have been taken more seriously in recent years, and physical
therapists are optimistic for the future of concussion treatment. In 2016 a study was done to
evaluate the level of knowledge physical therapists had about concussions. Most had a strong
foundation of knowledge, but some areas needed improvement. The study recommended
physical therapists who work with concussion patients should receive more training on creating
the best treatment method based off of the unique issues each patient has. More research is
needed on concussions, and some believe that further research will lead to new treatment and
prevention methods for patients.
This article is a reliable source because the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA) is a nationally recognized organization that represents over 100,000 physical therapists
in America. The author, Eric Reis, is also trustworthy because he is the associate editor of PT in
Motion. PT in Motion is a magazine issued by the APTA, so Reis has experience as a writer for
physical therapy-related topics. The article was written in 2017 so it is up to date on the topic of
concussions. The article uses studies and facts throughout the article, but also uses medical
professionals opinions. This makes the article mostly reliable, but the audience should be
cautious about trusting all of the statements in this article. The audience for this article is those
who want to learn about the advancements in concussion treatment through physical therapy.
This source does an effective job of informing the audience on concussions. This article taught
me that concussions are a serious brain injury that needs to be approached with caution and that
further research needs to be conducted to advance the treatment of concussions.

Role of a physical therapist. (2016, April 15). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from APTA website:
 https://www.apta.org/PTCareers/RoleofaPT/

This article gives the reader background information on what a physical therapist does. It
explains the role physical therapists have in a patient’s care and how they work with the patient
to help them recover. Physical therapists help rehabilitate those who have issues with moving or
functioning in their daily life. They work with the patient to create a treatment plan that will
improve their mobility while helping to promote a healthier lifestyle. A physical therapist can
work in a variety of places like hospitals, schools, private practices, nursing homes, and
outpatient clinics. Physical therapists evaluate a patient so a proper diagnosis can be made. Then
they work together with the patient to create a care plan so that they can rehabilitate themselves
outside the clinic. A physical therapist will usually reevaluate a patient to ensure the treatment
plan is effective, and if it is not they will make the necessary adjustments. Not only do physical
therapists work on rehabilitation, but the prevention of further injuries by promoting a healthier
and fit lifestyle. Physical therapy is seen as an important part of the healthcare system. It takes
the lead in the rehabilitation, prevention, promotion, and health maintenance parts of healthcare.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an organization that represents
over 100,000 physical therapists in America. They have programs that are nationally recognized
so they are a reliable source. This source was last updated in 2016, three year ago, and is current
on the topic of what a physical therapist does. This article covers the basics of physical therapy
from what they do, where they can work, and how they help patients. Overall the article is
objective and only states facts about the occupation, not opinions on physical therapy. This
article was intended to educate the audience about what physical therapists do, and how they are
important to the healthcare system. This article is supported by “9 Physical Therapy specialties
to Pursue in your Career” by the College of St. Scholastica. The article is appropriate because it
gives an overview of how physical therapists work with a patient to rehabilitate and help them
regain more motion and function than they previously had in their daily lives. It also emphasizes
that physical therapists not only help a patient recover short term, but they help make them
healthier and stronger in the long run.

Sciatica. (2017, December 11). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from the Cleveland Clinic website:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica

This article covers the topic of sciatica. Sciatica is when a pinched nerve around a
patient’s lower spinal nerve causes leg pain. The pain can vary from cramps to shooting pain or
in rare cases loss some leg movement. A herniated disc, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis,
spondylolisthesis are a few things that can cause sciatica. Sciatica can be diagnosed through
many different tests. Physical examinations, X-rays, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and
computed tomography (CT) scans are some of the tests that can be run to identify if a patient has
sciatica. Once diagnosed with sciatica there are many different treatment paths. There are
procedures such as microdiscectomy and laminectomy, that can help alleviate the pain of patients
with sciatica. Physical therapy is another treatment option for patients with sciatica. The purpose
of physical therapy when dealing with sciatica is to improve flexibility. This helps to loosen the
tight muscles that could be causing the patient's sciatica to act up. Strengthening the lower back
and leg muscles is another approach to healing a patient with sciatica. Sometimes patients will
use more than one method of treatment for sciatica. For example, some patients go to physical
therapy and take medication as well to reduce inflammation and help improve their overall
mobility.
The Cleveland Clinic is the organization that wrote the article. This source is reliable
because the Cleveland Clinic is a nationally ranked hospital with good credentials. They are a
well known and established hospital so the website is reliable. This article was last updated in
2017, so it is still current on the topic of sciatica. The source gives a detailed overview of
sciatica’s causes, diagnosis, and treatment. The target audience is for those who want to learn
more about sciatica. This source could be useful for newly diagnosed sciatica patients, or people
who are interested in learning about the condition. The article, “Types of Physical Therapy
Treatments” by Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) supports this source. Both articles
mention stretching and strengthening to be good treatment methods for patients. This article is
very informative and states facts about sciatica, not opinions or testimonies about sciatica
treatments. This allows the reader to have an unbiased view of sciatica. This article gave me
more insight into the impact that physical therapy can do for a patient. It’s amazing to learn that
physical therapy is a method that can help rehabilitate a patient without any procedures and be
just as effective in treating a patient.

Torborg, L. (2019, January 18). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Physical therapy before surgery to repair
torn ACL. Retrieved August 31, 2019, from the Mayo Clinic website:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-physical-therapy-be
ore-surgery-to-repair-torn-acl/

This article discusses the benefits of physical therapy before surgery for a torn ACL.
Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that connects your thigh bone and your
shinbone An ACL tear is a common injury in many sports. It is caused by sudden stops, changes
in direction, or sudden stopping. This injury can take a long time to recover from after surgery,
and some patients cannot return to the same level of physical activity. Studies have shown the
benefits of participating in physical therapy before surgery. One patient did physical therapy four
times a week for twelve weeks before surgery, while the other patient did no therapy beforehand.
The results showed that the patient who did therapy before had more function twelve weeks after
surgery, and was able to return to sports about eight weeks before the patient without physical
therapy before surgery. Physical therapy is always necessary after surgery for a torn ACL. The
treatment plan usually consists of strengthening the ligaments and improving flexibility and
range of motion.
The author, Liza Torborg, is reliable because the organization she is writing for is
reliable. The Mayo Clinic is known to give and educate the public on different health-related
conditions. This article was written in 2019 so it is relevant to the topic of ACL injuries. This
article covers the basics of what an ACL injury is and why physical therapy is so important to the
recovery from an ACL injury. The article is not biased because it uses facts and studies to
support its reasoning. For example, the author discusses the results of a study done for patients
with ACL injuries and how physical therapy effective their recovery time. This article can be
supported by “9 Physical Therapy Specialties to Pursue in your career” because the College of
St. Scholastica talks about how physical therapists who specialize in sports medicine help
patients with sports-related injuries recover. Not only do they assist in rehabilitation but they
ensure that the muscle or ligament is strengthened to prevent future injury. The audience of this
article is those who are wondering if physical therapy is useful before ACL surgery. This article
does an effective job of informing the audience about the importance of physical therapy before
an ACL reconstruction surgery, and how it can positively affect the recovery rate for the patient.
For example, I learned from the study that doing physical therapy before surgery for an ACL tear
can drastically improve the recovery rate of a patient.

Types of physical therapy treatments. (2017, October 9). Retrieved August 31, 2019, from
Southern California Health Institute website:
https://www.sochi.edu/blog/7-leading-physical-therapy-treatments.html

This article is about the leading treatments in physical therapy. Manual therapy is when a
physical therapist uses their own hands to massage, manipulate or help strengthen a patient. It is
seen as the foundation of many physical therapy treatments. Another method of treatment is
exercises. Doing exercises is one of the best ways to prevent future injuries. Using heat and ice
are great ways to help muscles and tissue. Ice is helping in decreasing inflammation and
swelling, while heat is good at releasing tightness in the muscles and improve movement.
Ultrasound is a great method to help increase circulation. This method helps improve the effects
of other methods like exercise and manual therapy. Traction is a method that is most helpful for
relieving pressure from the spinal cord. This technique is used for many different back-related
conditions and is a great alternative for straightening and healing the spine without surgery.
Laser therapy is the use of lasers to treat inflammation, pain, muscle fatigue, and can help
expedite healing. Electric stimulation (ESTIM) is used for patients with a large injury or is
recovering from surgery. The ESTIM causes muscles to contract, therefore improving movement
or alleviating pain for the patient. One very important method is education. Physical therapists
teach patients how to help themselves heal and how to prevent future injuries. This can be
teaching exercises the patient can do at home to giving them tips and exercises to help patients
prevent injuries in the same place.
The source is accurate because Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) is a
university. They have programs for physical therapy, therefore they are knowledgeable on
methods of physical therapy for patients. The article was written in 2017 so it is recent enough to
be relevant on the topic. The article is objective and states facts about methods of physical
therapy. For example, the article discusses heat and ice as well as stretching which was similar to
other articles I have reviewed. One article“9 Physical Therapy Specialties to Pursue in your
career” by the College of St. Scholastica has many overlaps on methods and treatments
throughout both articles. The university is thorough about the topic. They explain how different
methods in physical therapy are used to treat patients with a variety of conditions and injuries.
This article is meant for an audience that is intrigued by the methods physical therapists use for
treating patients. It does a good job of describing the different methods and what each method is
used for. Overall this article covers the basics of common methods physical therapists use to treat
their patients.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. (2018). 11 Ways Healthcare Providers Use CBD to
Improve Health & Wellness. Retrieved December 12, 2019, from Pacific College of
Oriental Medicine website: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2019/06/14/
11-ways-healthcare-providers-use-cbd-for-improving-health-wellness

This is an article that lists 11 benefits of CBD in the healthcare industry. Cannabinidol
was discovered by Dr. Rogers Adams at the University of Illinois in the 1940’s. It can be given
to patients through creams, lotions, oils, liquids, oral sprays, and capsules. It is mistaken usually
with THC a psychoactive cannabinoid that is very similar to CBD. There are many benefits
including help with pain relief, autoimmune disorders, lowering blood pressure, and helping to
prevent diabetes. There are also positive mental effects like reducing anxiety and depression,
helping patients with insomnia, and reducing the psychotic effects in patients with schizophrenia.
CBD products are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The healthcare system
should be prepared to incorporate it in their treatment in patients in the future.
The author, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, are qualified to discuss the benefits of
CBD because their credentials includes receiving awards for its acupuncture and Oriental
medicine curriculum and clinical training, as well as research grants from the National Institutes
of Health and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Written in 2018, this source is
current on the topic of the known benefits of CBD. The author does not address an alternative
viewpoint during this article, but it is still valid because it is supported by statistics and other
facts not assumptions. The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For
example, the author says CBD can help reduce inflammation, which can be corroborated by
Natalya M. Kogan and Raphael Mechoulam in their publication “Cannabinoids in health and
disease”. Both articles say that CBd has been proven to help reduce inflammation in the body.
The purpose of this article is to inform the audience on some of the many benefits of CBD. The
audience is people who are unaware of what CBD is or its positive effects on the body. The
article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because many examples are given to educate
the public that CBD is beneficial. For example, many physical benefits like pain relief are
mentioned as well as mental benefits like reducing anxiety are included in this article.

Grinspoon, P. (2019, August 24). Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don't.
Retrieved December 12, 2019, from Harvard Health Publishing website:
 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-
2018082414476

This article gives information about what scientists know and do not know about CBD.
CBD is a component in a cannabis plant that does not cause a “high” feeling, and has no proven
public health related problems in its pure form. CBD is legal in the United States with varying
restrictions depending on what state you are in. there are health benefits such as helping epilepsy
patients, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. There are side effects to CBD like nausea,
irritability, and fatigue. Researchers are still studying the most effective therapeutic dosage of
CBD for patients with any medical condition. There are also some uncertainties on what else is
in some CBD products that are made. The FDA does not have regulations for CBD in dietary
supplements, so you might not know exactly what you are getting when buying a CBD product.
The author, Peter Gripsoon, is qualified to discuss CBD research and it effects because
their credentials includes teaching medicine at Harvard Medical School, and is a primary care
physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Written in 2018, this source is current on the
topic of the knowledge scientists have about CBD. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of
the issue. For example, he acknowledges that there are side effects and drawbacks to CBD and
then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying there are many benefits to CBD and more
regulations are being created to improve the distribution of CBD. This inclusion shows that
alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the author agrees that CBD is
not the solution to all problems and that there is a lot of room for improvement. The information
contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that CBD and
THC are commonly mistaken for each other, which can be corroborated by Project CBD in
publication “What is CBD?”. Both articles state that the difference between the two are that THC
is psychoactive while CBD is not. The purpose of this article is to give a good background of
what CBD is. The audience are people who are researching the effects and current regulations of
CBD in the United States. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because the
author discusses the past and present regulations on CBD, then continues to discuss the potential
regulations for the future. For example, Gripspoon mentions how Congress is discussing the
legalization of hemp and how that would affect the distribution of CBD.

Kogan, N. M., & Mechoulam, R. (2007, December). Cannabinoids in health and disease.
Retrieved December 12, 2019, from NCBI website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3202504/

This article addresses the positives and negatives cannabinoids can have on someone's
health. Medical marijuana was used for a long time until the 1930’s when it was banned in most
countries because of the concern of the dangers of abusing the products. Cannabinoids can affect
one’s behavior and cognitive skills because cannabinoids interact with the CB1 receptors in the
body. There are many known negative effects mostly psychological. Amotivational syndrome
can cause a change in personality, emotions, and other cognitive functions like lack of apathy,
inability to concentrate, and memory disturbance. Another drawback is addiction to cannabinoids
and other substances. Although there are drawbacks to using cannabinoids, there are numerous
benefits to using it. For example, taking cannabinoids can help pain, multiple sclerosis,
inflammation, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Research is being conducted
to develop cannabinoid medication for Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Tourettes’s
syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. There is still much to learn about the possible
consequences of using cannabinoids, but there are many health benefits as well. The positives
should not be ignored just because there are drawbacks.
The authors, Natalya M. Kogan and Raphael Mechoulam, are qualified to discuss the
medical benefits and drawbacks of cannabinoids because their credentials and experience
includes Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products Dept, Pharmacy School, Ein-Kerem Medical
Campus, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Although written more than 10 years ago,
this source is still relevant because it covers the drawbacks and positives that are already
associated with cannabinoids. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, they acknowledge the negative health effects of cannabinoids and then addressed that
opposing viewpoint by saying the positives are greater than all the drawbacks. This inclusion
shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the author
recognizes the risks cannabinoids can have on one’s physical and mental health. The information
contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says the author says
that cannabinoids have been outlawed earlier in history, which can be corroborated by ACE
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute in their publication “Cannabis Oil Massage in
Physical Therapy”. Both discuss how CBD has been controversial in the past, but is now gaining
popularity because of its healing properties. The purpose of this article is to educate the audience
on the positives and negative of cannabinoids on a person's health. The audience is researchers
looking for the known effects of cannabinoids and how effective they are. The article is
appropriate for this purpose and audience because the authors give a detailed explanation about
the effect of cannabinoids on each illness or disease. For example, they discuss how pain is
affected by cannabinoids and give a detailed description of how it interacts with the body and the
positive effects it has.

Project CBD. (2019). What is CBD? Retrieved December 12, 2019, from Project CBD website:
https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-101/what-is-cbd

This article is about the background of CBD. Cannabidiol or CBD is a compound found
in the flower of the cannabis plant. CBD is a safe and nonaddictive substance that is being
studied by scientists to confirm its healing properties. It is commonly mistaken for
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the compound that gives people the high feeling cannabis
is well known for. CBD reacts with different receptors in the brain and body, and has many
therapeutic attributes. It can help chronic pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and has
neuroprotective properties. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is a part of
the regulatory system that affects your mood, energy levels, and your blood pressure. In 2018,
the FDA recognized CBD as a real medicine.
The author, Project CBD, is qualified to discuss the background of CBD because their
credentials include contributing to CBD research and provides education for the public to
consume. Written in 2019, this source is current on the topic of CBD and its background. The
author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, they acknowledge that CBD is
not the solution to every problem, and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying that is
can be beneficial to many current issues in society. This inclusion shows that alternative
viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the author wants to give the public a full
overview of the benefits and issues of CBD. The information contained in the source can be
verified elsewhere. For example, the author says how the CBd interacts with the
endocannabinoid, which can be corroborated by ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
Institute in their publication “Cannabis Oil Massage in Physical Therapy”. Both discuss the
endocannabinoid system and how CBD affects it. The purpose of this article is to inform the
audience about the basics of CBD. The audience is people who are interested about the effects of
CBD, and want to educate themselves on the matter. The article is appropriate for this purpose
and audience because this article gives what CBD is, how it interacts with your body, as well as
the benefits CBD can have on one’s health. For example, the article goes in depth on the
endocannabinoid system and how CBD affects and interacts with it. This information gives the
audience a better understanding of exactly what happens when you consume a CBD product.

Loria, K. (2018, February). A Growing Interest in Medical Marijuana. Retrieved December 12,
2019, from PT in Motion website: https://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2018/2/Feature/
MedicalMarijuana/

This article talks about the increase in interest in medical marijuana. A physical therapy
assistant, Johanns Gammel, was working with a patient that suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS).
This condition can cause painful leg spasms and makes treatment difficult at times. Gammel
discovered that medical marijuana has helped to ease the symptoms almost instantly. The
demand for medical marijuana has increased in recent years, and the value could keep increasing
as more states legalize medical marijuana. Medical marijuana used to be legal until 1937 when
the government stepped in and stopped the legal sale of it. Medical marijuana is not for all
patients. A physical therapist should ensure that a patient can safely participate in treatment and
that the medication will not interfere with their day-to-day life. Moving forward the public needs
to be more educated on medical marijuana as its popularity grows in the United States.
The author, Keith Loria, is qualified to discuss medical marijuana because their
experience includes writing many other health related articles in his career. Written in 2018, this
source is current on the topic of medical marijuana in America. The author thoroughly evaluated
all sides of the issue. For example, he acknowledges that it does not work for every patient out
there and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying it can be very beneficial in certain
circumstances. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were
acknowledged because the author addresses and then refuted opposing viewpoint to support his
evidence throughout the article. The information contained in the source can be verified
elsewhere. For example, the author says CBD can help patients with MS, which can be
corroborated by Celius and Vila in their publication “The influence of THC:CBD oromucosal
spray on driving ability in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity”. Both recommend
CBD as a method of treatment for MS because it has been proven to help. The purpose of this
article is to give the audience a good background on medical marijuana and how it affects the
healthcare industry in America. The audience is anyone who is curious about medical marijuana
and wants to learn about the history and applications in today's society. The article is appropriate
for this purpose and audience because it gives a good foundation for people who have no idea
what medical marijuana is in a comprehensible way. The language is easier for the general public
to read, and all the abbreviations are explained for the reader. For example, Loria gives an
overview of the history of medical marijuana so that the reader can understand the references he
makes later in the text

ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute. (2018). Cannabis Oil Massage in Physical
Therapy. Retrieved December 12, 2019, from ACE Physical Therapy and Sports
Medicine Institute website: https://www.ace-pt.org/ace-physical-therapy-and-sports-
medicine-institute-cannabis-oil-massage-in-physical-therapy/

This article talks about the use of CBD oil for massages in physical therapy. In the United
States 25 states have legalized cannabis for medical usages. The use of cannabis for medical
purposes has been a controversial issue for some time. In the United States it was outlawed but
recent studies are proving that it could be essential in curing some life threatening diseases. Oils,
creams, and even patches can contain the CBD or THC in them, both are endocannabinoids. The
difference between the two is that THC can cause psychogenic effects while CBD is non
intoxicating. The current theory is that there are receptor in all different tissues. These receptors
that interact with the CBD and THC products can reduce inflammation and pain throughout the
body. The use of CBD oils in massage therapy is increasing because of its ability to help chronic
pain. More studies and research need to be conducted to further prove and assess the
effectiveness of CBD oils in physical therapy.
The author, ACE Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute, are qualified to discuss
CBD oils in physical therapy because their credentials include establishing a physical therapy
practice that helps patients on a daily basis. Written in 2018, this source is current on the topic of
CBD in massages and physical therapy. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue.
For example, they acknowledge that CBD and THC products have not been fully proven to solve
all problems and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying so far studies have shown
that these products are helpful for patients with certain diseases. This inclusion shows that
alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the author admits that CBD
oils and other products are not the solution for everyone, but should still be acknowledged as a
proper treatment method. The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For
example, cannabis is being legalized in many states, which can be corroborated by Peter
Gripsoon in his publication “Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t.'' Both
articles say that legalization is increasing at the state and even the national level of government.
The purpose of this article is to inform the audience of the potential benefits CBd oils can have
on the body. The audience is people considering using CBD oils as a treatment method. The
article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because it gives the audience a good
background knowledge on the topic and gives the reader both the positive and negative of using
the product so they can form their own opinion. For example, the author tells how it can be
effective in certain cases but that more research needs to be done to confirm these theories.

Xu, Cullen, Tang, & Fang. (2019, December 1). [The Effectiveness of Topical Cannabidiol Oil
in
Symptomatic Relief of Peripheral Neuropathy of the Lower Extremities.]. Retrieved
December 12, 2019, from NCBI website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31793418

This article is about the use of cannabidiol oil for relieving symptoms for lower
extremities. Peripheral neuropathy is when your nerves that send signals to the brain are
damaged. This can cause numbness and weakness to the part of the body that experiences
peripheral neuropathy, making daily life hard for those with this disorder. The current methods
of treatment have not been effective, but there is increasing evidence that CBD oil could be a
solution. The effectiveness of CBD oils was examined for a four week period in a randomized
placebo-controlled trial. Twenty nine patients were randomized into two groups a CBD group
and a placebo group. A neuropathic pain scale was taken biweekly to see the change throughout
the trial. There was a significant difference in the decrease in pain, ancd cold and itchy
sensations between the CBD group and the placebo group. The CBD group showed a better
improvement of symptoms from the other group. This study proves that CBD can help patients
that suffer from peripheral neuropathy.
The authors, Xu, Cullen, Tang, and Fang are qualified to discuss the effectiveness of
CBD for patients with peripheral neuropathy because their credentials includes Department of
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at Scripps Mercy Hospital, Podiatric Surgery Section Chief at
Scripps Mercy Hospital, and Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology at Des
Moines University. Written in 2019, this source is current on the topic of CBD’s effect on
peripheral neuropathy patients. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, he/she acknowledges that one study does not completely prove CBD is effective and
then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying more research should be done to confirm their
findings. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged
because the authors understand that there could still be flaws in their study. The information
contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that CBD is
effective in helping patients with peripheral neuropathy, which can be corroborated by Project
CBD in their publication “What is CBD?”. The endocannabinoid is part of your nervous system,
and peripheral neuropathy is a condition relating to your nerves. Both articles support that CBD
can help with problems in the nervous system. The purpose of this article is to add evidence that
CBD can be an effective treatment method. The audience is researchers who are attempting to
find evidence for their own studies or thesis. The article is appropriate for this purpose and
audience because there are facts and statistics from the study to support the claim. For example,
the conclusion of the study was based on the facts of the study not assumptions or inferences.

Celius, & Vila. (2018, April). The influence of THC:CBD oromucosal spray on driving ability in
patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity. Retrieved December 12, 2019, from
NCBI website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29761015

This article is about determining if CBD affects a person's ability to drive. There are
things like physical injuries and cognitive disabilities that can affect one's driving. Spasms can be
an effect that can inhibit one's ability to drive. The researchers are trying to determine if
oromucosal spray can inhibit driving. Oromucosal spray is a spray that administered under the
patient's tongue to relieve pain. The method of determining of it affects driving was by collecting
evidence and data from other studies. They collected scientific studies and articles from 2000-
2017. The study concluded that there was no increase in car accidents in patients who use
oromucosal spray. Many people even reported that their driving improved from using
oromucosal spray because their spasms were reduced. THC and CBD showed no impact on the
impairment of drivers, and should even be recommended to patients with patients with multiple
sclerosis.
The authors, Celius and Vila, are qualified to discuss the effects of CBD on driving
because their credentials include being a part of the Department of Neurology Oslo University
Hospital, Institute of Health and Society University of Oslo Oslo Norway, and Almirall
Neurology Global Medical Affairs Barcelona Spain. Written in 2018, this source is current on
the topic of oromucosal spray. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, they acknowledge that there were cases where it did affect one's ability to drive and
then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying that CBD and THC are not always the correct
treatment method for all patients. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s
were acknowledged because the author allowed the negative viewpoints of the study to be shown
and then gave stronger evidence to prove their own point. The information contained in the
source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that CBD does not affect a
person's cognitive ability to drive, which can be corroborated by Pacific College of Oriental
Medicine in his/her publication “WAYS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS USE CBD TO
IMPROVE HEALTH & WELLNESS”. The article says that CBD is not a psychoactive drug that
can affect cognitive abilities, which is proven by showing that CBD doesn’t affect one’s ability
to drive. The purpose of this article is to prove that CBD and THC products do not affect a
person’s ability to drive. The audience is researchers who are looking for evidence to prove that
CBD and THC can be beneficial without having large side effects. The article is appropriate for
this purpose and audience because it uses other scholarly articles and evidence to prove their
argument. For example, they use an amalgamation of different articles to support their claim.

Abraham, Leung, Wong, Rivera, Kruse, & Clark. (2019, December 7). Orally consumed
cannabinoids provide long-lasting relief of allodynia in a mouse model of chronic
neuropathic pain. Retrieved December 12, 2019, from NCBI website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31812152

This is a study done about the effects of oral cannabinoids for pain relief. Chronic pain is
an issue that many people deal with every day. CBD and other cannabinoids have been proven to
be helpful in relieving pain, but research is still being done on finding long-term solutions. There
was a study conducted to test if cannabinoids could help relieve allodynia. Allodynia is sensation
of pain that is usually reoccurs in the body. The researchers developed three gelatins, one with
THC, one with CBD, and the last one with morphine. These gelatin were made edible for both
male and female mice. The mice ingested the gelatin for three weeks. The scientists used a real
time gelatin measurement system to observe the mice consuming the gelatin. All three gelatins
were consumed showed a decrease in allodynia, but the mice who consumed morphine grew a
tolerance for it, making it less effective. CBD and THC, on the other hand, showed that they
were effective in reducing allodynia within three weeks. This study concludes that cannabinoids
can provide a long-term relief of chronic pain.
The authors, Abraham, Leung, Wong, Rivera, Kruse, Clark, and Land are qualified to
discuss the use of cannabinoids for long-term relief because their credentials includes the
Department of Pharmacology at the University of Washington, and the
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington.Written in
2019, this source is current on the topic of cannabinoids as a long-term solution for medical
problems. Another viewpoint is not addressed in this article because it is just about the study
done and the results of said study. It is still reliable because it was based on facts not opinions.
The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says
that CBD can help with chronic pain, which can be corroborated by Peter Gripsoon in his
publication “Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t”. Both articles say that
chronic pain is a problem that CBD products can solve. The purpose of this article is to prove
that cannabinoids can be an effective treatment method for long-term problems. The audience is
researchers who are intrigued by cannabinoids and want to know their effectiveness. The article
is appropriate for this purpose and audience because this study is credible and reliable evidence
to support cannabinoids for medical usage. For example, the mice in the experiment were shown
to have a decrease in chronic pain states.

Cuttler, Spradlin, Cleveland, & Craft. (2019, November 9). Short- and Long-Term Effects of
Cannabis on Headache and Migraine. Retrieved December 12, 2019, from NCBI website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31715263
 This article is about the effectiveness of cannabinoids for migraines and headaches. There
is not a lot of research on the effectiveness of cannabinoids for headaches and migraines. A study
was conducted to determine if using cannabis would help reduce headaches, and if other factors
like gender or if the CBD is from a concentrate or from the flower effect headaches as well. To
collect data the researchers used an app called Strainprint. This app enables patients to keep track
of their symptoms before and after using different types of cannabis. The researchers analyzed
data from 19,734 sessions where cannabis was a part of treatment for migraines and headaches.
The data showed that headaches and migraines were reduced with the use of cannabinoids. Men
showed to have better pain relief than women, and using a concentrated form of cannabis is more
effective than the flower. One observation the researchers noticed was that a tolerance was
formed to the cannabis so to get the same results patients may have to keep increasing their
dosage for the same effect.
The authors, Cuttler, Spradlin, Cleveland, and Craft, are qualified to discuss the short and
long-term effects of cannabis for headaches and migraines because their credentials include
being a part of the Washington State University Department of Psychology, and the Washington
State University Department of Human Development. Written in 2019, this source is current on
the topic of the effects of cannabis on headaches and migraines. The authors thoroughly
evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, they acknowledge that since patients build a
tolerance for cannabis that it’s effectiveness could decrease over time and then addressed that
opposing viewpoint by saying that if the dosage is gradually increased that it would continue to
be effective. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged
because the author understands that cannabis might not be a long-term solution for headaches
and migraines. The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example,
the author says that CBD could have positive long-term effects, which can be corroborated by
Abraham, Leung, Wong, Rivera, Kruse, Clark, and Land in their publication “Orally consumed
cannabinoids provide long-lasting relief of allodynia in a mouse model of chronic neuropathic
pain”. Both give solid evidence that CBD could be a long-term solution for patients' pain. The
purpose of this article is to prove that headaches and migraines can be reduced by CBD. The
audience is researchers who are curious about treatments for migraines and headaches. The
article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because the study gives data to support that
cannabis is an effective way to reduce headaches. For example, the article states that headaches
and migraines were reduced with the usage of cannabis.

Kim, Townsend, Branch, Hsu, & Romero-Sandoval. (2020, February 25). Cannabinoids in the
Treatment of Back Pain. Retrieved March 2, 2020, from PubMed website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32097466

CBD is becoming increasingly popular in the medical field. It helps treat many medical
issues such as back pain. Chronic back pain is usually treated with the use of opioids. With the
recent opioid epidemic, medical professionals are trying to stray from these addictive opioids.
CBD is a great alternative to relieving pain in a non-addictive form. There is an increasing
amount of clinical evidence that CBD is an effective pain relief method. More research needs to
be done to prove its effectiveness in a clinical setting.
The authors, Kim TE, Townsend RK, Branch CL, Romero-Sandoval EA, Hsu W., are
qualified to discuss CBD research because their credentials include the Department of
Neurosurgery and Department of Anesthesiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
Winston Salem, North Carolina. Written one month ago, this source is current on the topic of the
effectiveness of CBD on back pain. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, they acknowledge that more research needs to be conducted to fully prove the
effectiveness of CBD and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying that the evidence so
far is very promising. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were
acknowledged because the author wants to ensure that the audience is fully educated on the
progression of CBD research. The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere.
For example, the author says the opioid epidemic is increasingly becoming an issue in the
medical field, which can be corroborated by Boyaji S, Merkow J, Elman RNM, Kaye AD, Yong
RJ, Urman RD in their publication The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in “Chronic Pain
Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. Both articles emphasize the urgency of
finding new safer and more effective pain relief methods for patients. The purpose of this article
is to prove that CBD is an effective method to relieve back pain. The audience is medical
professionals who are interested in CBD and its effectiveness as well as doctors who are trying to
find alternative pain relief methods. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience
because the study gives evidence to support the effectiveness of CBD for back pain. For
example, the study discusses the advantages of CBD over the use of opioids.

Gulbransen, Xu, & Arroll. (2020, February 4). Cannabidiol prescription in clinical practice: an
audit on the first 400 patients in New Zealand. Retrieved March 2, 2020, from PubMed
website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32019776

In New Zealand a law was amended, allowing doctors to prescribe CBD to patients. The
tolerability and overall benefits are still unclear for CBD. In 2017, a study was conducted to
discover if CBD could help improve the quality of life of a patient and test the tolerability. Four
hundred patients in New Zealand were studied and three hundred and ninety seven were
prescribed CBD. The results of the study were that overall quality of life in patients were
improved. Also, patients reported relief from pain, anxiety, depression, better sleep, and appetite.
The study’s results concluded that CBD would be beneficial to patients dealing with physical
pain as well as mental health conditions. Also, CBD is well tolerated in the body, proving that
CBD is safe for clinical use.
The authors, Gulbransen G, Xu W, Arroll B., are qualified to discuss the benefits of CBD
products because their credentials include a Private Practitioner, Cannabis Care NZ, WestCare
Specialist Centre, Auckland, New Zealand, Medical Student, Department of General Practice
and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand, and Professor and Head of Department, Department of General
Practice and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Written 1 month ago, this source is current on the topic of
the effectiveness and tolerability of CBD. Even though all sides of this issue are not covered, the
author still presents claims, reasoning, and evidence to show why that opinion is valid and
credible. For example, the study showed that a majority of patients saw an improvement in their
quality of life . The coverage can be considered broad and deep because they used a standardized
method, EuroQol quality of life measure, to measure the quality of life improvement. The
information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says CBD
could be a good alternative for patients to relieve their pain, which can be corroborated by Likar
R, Kostenberger M, and Nahler G in their publication “Cannabidiol in cancer treatment”.
Both articles say that the use of CBD products can help a patient manage their pain and mental
conditions they have. The purpose of this article is to prove that CBD benefits patients. The
audience is medical professionals looking for evidence to prove the effectiveness of CBD for
patients. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because the authors give
concrete evidence from a study to support their claim. For example, they give percentages of
effectiveness and the number of patients who benefitted from using CBD.

Boyaji, Merkow, Elman, Kaye, Yong, & Urman. (2020, January 24). The Role of Cannabidiol
(CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence. Retrieved
March 2, 2020, from PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31980957

The opioid epidemic has made doctors search for much safer and effective ways to relieve pain.
Cannabis has been a method of treatment for hundreds of years, but is recently being studied
more scientifically to prove its effectiveness. In the past there has been more focus on the
psychoactive part of cannabis, THC, not on the non-psychoactive component, CBD. In reviewing
literature and studies on CBD, there is only one pharmaceutical product that contains CBD,
nabiximols, but it also contains THC. This makes it hard to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD
because it is paired with THC. Many CBD products and supplements are available but they are
non-pharmaceutical, and do not have clinical studies to support the effectiveness.
The authors, Boyaji S, Merkow J, Elman RNM, Kaye AD, Yong RJ, Urman RD, are
qualified to discuss the role of CBD in relieving pain because their credentials includes
Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's
Hospital, Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain
Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, GearJump Technologies, LLC, Department of
Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neurosciences; Vice Chancellor of
Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, and Provost, Louisiana State University School of
Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, and the Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and
Women's Hospital. Written two months ago, this source is current on the topic of the current
knowledge of the effectiveness of CBD. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue.
For example, they acknowledge that CBD has not been fully proven to be effective and then
addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying that research so far is promising that CBD could be
an effective pain relief method. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s
were acknowledged because the author did not want to omit any knowledge on the topic. The
information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says CBD
has been used as a treatment method in the past, which can be corroborated by Likar R,
Kostenberger M, and Nahler G in their publication “Cannabidiol in cancer treatment”. Both
articles mention how CBD had been used many years ago before more scientific research was
done on the compound. The purpose of this article is to summarize the data collected on the
effectiveness of CBD. The audience is medical professionals looking for the progress or current
stance of CBD and its efficacy. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because
the article gives a good overview on the work and research done on CBD. For example, the
authors give support to why CBD is effective as well as areas where more research needs to be
done.

Hegazy, & Platnick. (2019, December 6). Cannabidiol (CBD) for Treatment of
Neurofibromatosis-related Pain and Concomitant Mood Disorder: A Case Report.
Retrieved March 2, 2020, from PubMed website: Boyaji, Merkow, Elman, Kaye, Yong,
& Urman. (2020, January 24). The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain
Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence. Retrieved March 2, 2020, from
PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31980957

CBD is a non-psychotropic component of cannabis that has become increasingly popular

for many diseases. It has shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as
can be a mood stabilizer. In clinical studies, it has been used to help treat epilepsy, multiple
sclerosis, Parkinsonism disease, and many other chronic pain conditions. Neurofibromatosis type
1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder. Although NF1 is common, pain is a major symptom which can be
secondary to other issues such as musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, and subcutaneous
neurofibromas. There are other symptoms that are more psychological or mental such as
depression and anxiety. CBD was used to help manage the chronic pain and a mood disorder in a
NF1 patient.
The authors, Hegazy O and Platnick H, are qualified to discuss the effectiveness of CBD for
treating NF1 because their credentials include Family Medicine, Family Practice in Toronto, and
the Family Medicine/Chronic Pain and Medical Cannabis, Family Practice in Toronto. Written
four months ago, this source is current on the topic of how CBD helps treat NF1. Even though all
sides of the issue are not addressed, the author still presents claims, reasoning, and evidence to
show why that study is valid and credible. For example, they give a good background on both
NF1 and CBD and then continue to give evidence on how CBD has helped the symptoms of a
NF1 patient. The coverage can be considered broad and deep because they do not just state that
CBD works, they also connect the effectiveness of CBD on other diseases and then tie it back to
the NF1 patient. The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example,
the author says that CBD helps treat mental conditions as well as physical pain, which can be
corroborated by Gulbransen G, Xu W, Arroll B in their publication “Cannabidiol prescription in
clinical practice: an audit on the first 400 patients in New Zealand”. Both articles mention how
anxiety and depression can be treated with CBD. The purpose of this article is to prove the
effectiveness of CBD for NF1 patients. The audience is medical professionals who are curious
about the many diseases and conditions CBD can treat. The article is appropriate for this
purpose and audience because it mentions many other diseases and conditions that CBD has been
used to treat. For example, the authors mention how CBD has helped treat pain for epilepsy
patients and patients with multiple sclerosis.

Likar, Kostenberger, & Nahler. (2020, January 2). Cannabidiol in cancer treatment. Retrieved
March 2, 2020, from PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31897700

Cannabis was used for patients as far as 2500 years ago. 40 years ago, experimental
studies showed that CBD helped to inhibit tumors. Researchers are reviewing other studies to
determine if Cbd can help in the treatment of cancer patients. They reviewed animal models as
well as observations from other studies. After looking at many animal models and preclinical
studies, they all suggest that there is a therapeutic efficacy of CBD. It was also discovered that
CBD also has synergistic effects. These observations could be crucial to changing the way
medical professionals treat symptoms such as pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Further
research and studies are needed to confirm and prove the effectiveness of CBD for cancer
patients.
The authors, Likar R, Kostenberger M, and Nahler G, are qualified to discuss if CBD can
be used to treat cancer patient's pain because their credentials include Abteilung für
Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Feschnigstraße 11,
9020, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Österreich, Abteilung für Anästhesiologie und
Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Feschnigstraße 11, 9020, Klagenfurt am
Wörthersee, Österreich. Markus, and CIS Clinical Investigation Support GmbH, Wien,
Österreich. Written three months ago, this source is current on the topic of CBD being used as a
treatment method for cancer patients. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, they acknowledge that more research needs to be conducted because it has not fully
been proven to be effective and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by saying there is a lot
of promising evidence currently to support the use of CBD for treating cancer patients. This
inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the
author wants to show that more research is needed to fully prove the efficacy of CBD. The
information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says
depression, anxiety, insomnia and other mood disorders can be treated with the assistance of
CBD, which can be corroborated by Hegazy O and Platnick H in their publication “The Role of
Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. Both
discuss not only the physical but mental benefits of taking CBD. The purpose of this article is to
prove that CBD can be used to help alleviate cancer patients pain. The audience is medical
professionals who are researching if CBD is beneficial for cancer patients. The article is
appropriate for this purpose and audience because they use other studies to support their claim.
For example, they state how in the past CBD has been used to help treat cancer patients, but now
there is more scientific evidence that is really effective.
Meuth, Henze, Essner, Trompke, & Silvan. (2020, February 17). Tetrahydrocannabinol and
cannabidiol oromucosal spray in resistant multiple sclerosis spasticity: consistency of
response across subgroups from the SAVANT randomized clinical trial. Retrieved March
2, 2020, from PubMed website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32065006

This was a study conducted to see if the severity of a patient's spasms affects the
effectiveness of CBD in reducing spasms. A THC:CBD oromucosal spray (nabiximols) was
compared to antispasticity medication in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The researchers
used a standardized way to evaluate the patient's pain during a spasm and the duration. In
conclusion of the study, the THC:CBD spray was consistently effective in all areas of the study.
It helped relieve pain and reduce spasm duration. The severity of MS did not change its
effectiveness. Patients with mild MS reported pain relief as well as patients with severe MS.
The authors, Meuth SG, Henze T, Essner U, Trompke C, Silván CV, are qualified to
discuss the effectiveness of CBD for MS patients because their credentials includes Department
of Neurology, Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Praxis für
Neurologie, Regensburg, Germany, O. Meany Consultancy GmbH, Hamburg, Germany, R&D,
Almirall Hermal GmbH, Reinbek, Germany, and Global Medical Affairs, Almirall S.A.,
Barcelona, Spain.
Written one month ago, this source is current on the topic of CBD’s effectiveness on MS
patients. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, he/she
acknowledges that the antispasticity medication can be effective and then addressed that
opposing viewpoint by saying CBD is effective more consistently than the antispasticity
medication. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged
because the author wants to ensure the audience is aware that CBD is not the only solution to
pain relief, it is just more effective. The information contained in the source can be verified
elsewhere. For example, the author says CBD can help MS patients, which can be corroborated
by Hegazy O and Platnick H in their publication “Cannabidiol (CBD) for Treatment of
Neurofibromatosis-related Pain and Concomitant Mood Disorder: A Case Report”. Both articles
discuss how MS has been effectively treated by CBD before. The purpose of this article is to
inform the audience that CBD is effective in reducing spasms in MS patients. The audience is
doctors who are looking for an effective way to treat their patients with MS. The article is
appropriate for this purpose and audience because the focus of this article is if CBD can help
spasms for specifically MS patients. For example, the authors focus on MS and specifically the
pain relief and reduction of spasm time for MS patients proves its effectiveness.

Migraine. (2019, August 9). Retrieved November 17, 2019, from MedlinePlus website:
https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html
This article gives background on what a migraine is. Migraines are a kind of headache
that affect many people in the world. Scientists think they could be caused by a genetic factor as
well as other triggering factors. Stress, anxiety, overexertion, and hormonal changes in women
are some of the many factors that can trigger migraines. Women and people who have a family
history of migraines are more susceptible to migraines. Prodrome is a symptom of migraines,
which is the phase about 24 hours prior to a migraine with symptoms like food cravings,
unexplained mood changes, and uncontrollable yawning. Aura is when a person is seeing
flashing or bright lights or lines as well as muscle weakness. Postdrome is when a person feels
weak tired or confused after a migraine. A person should get an examination done to have a
migraine diagnosed. At the time there is no treatment to cure migraines, only ways to relieve
symptoms. There are different kinds of medications to help relieve symptoms, but lifestyle
changes can also be effective in relieving symptoms.
The author, Medline Plus, is qualified to discuss migraines because their credentials
include being a part of the National Library of Medicine which is associated with the National
institutes of health. The article was last updated in 2018 so it is relevant on the topic of
migraines. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, in the article
many different methods of treatment for the symptoms of migraines are addressed. This
inclusion allows the audience to have many treatment options and does not lead them to believe
there is only one correct way to treat migraine symptoms. The information contained in the
source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says there are more than one way to
relieve migraine symptoms, which can be corroborated by Zhongguo Zhen Jiu in his publication
“Observation on therapeutic effect and mechanism research of acupuncture on headache in the
recovery phase of ischemic stroke”. Both articles go over two methods of symptom treatment,
medicine and therapeutic treatments. The purpose of this article is to inform the audience about
what a migraine is, the symptoms, and treatment options. The audience is people affected by
migraines who are seeking information on their condition. The article is appropriate for this
purpose and audience because the article gives the basic information on migraines. For example,
the article covers what the causes and symptoms are, how to get diagnosed, and possible
treatment options. This article gives the audience the knowledge to understand migraines and
how to approach treating one.

Diamond, M. L., Wenzel, R. G., & Nissan, G. R. (2006). Optimizing migraine therapy:
evidence-based and patient-centered care. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 6(6),
911+. Retrieved from https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A268419763/GPS?u=glen 20233
sid=GPS&xid=480fe85d
This article gives an overview of what a migraine is and how to treat one. A migraine is a
chronic head pain that can hinder a patient's physical and mental abilities. The average duration
of a migraine is about 24 hours and 1.5 attacks per month. Migraines are very common but are
frequently undiagnosed because people and medical professionals downplay migraines to a
minor inconvenience. Treatments for migraines are only to alleviate the symptoms that a patient
is experiencing. The goal of treatment is to prevent a constant pattern of migraines from
occurring. Some forms of medication include triptans, over-the-counter medications, and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One preventative approach that the article discusses is
optimal acute therapy, which is used to relieve symptoms and help prevent future migraines. This
method is effective for patients with frequent attacks. There are many options for treating
migraines but there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration. Each treatment
plan needs to accommodate the patients needs, so treatment can change based on the severity of
the migraines or even the cost of treatment.
The authors, Merle L Diamond , Richard G Wenzel , George R Nissan, are qualified to
discuss migraine therapy and patient care because their credentials include President of the
Diamond Headache Clinic,Chairman and Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine at
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center in Richmond, VA, and a member of
the American Headache Society. Although written more than 10 years ago, this source is still
relevant because it is an overview of knowledge the public already has. This article giving
knowledge like symptoms, causes and possible treatment methods for migraines which has not
changed. The authors thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, they acknowledge
That certain methods are effective for some patients and then addressed that opposing viewpoint
by saying that certain treatments are overall more effective for more patients. This inclusion
shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were acknowledged because the authors showed
the benefits and drawbacks of many different treatment approaches. The information contained
in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that triptans and over the
counter medications are types of medications a patient can take for symptom relief, which can be
corroborated by Dr. Rebecca Michaels in her publication “Understanding Migraine
Medications”. Both triptans and over the counter medications are discussed as medications used
for patients with migraines.The purpose of this article is to allow the audience to have a deeper
understanding on migraines. The audience is people who suffer from migraines and are looking
for information on their condition. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience
because there is plenty of information on migraines in an understandable way for the general
public. For example, the authors do not use a lot of medical terminology the public would not
understand, making it easier to read and comprehend.

Michael, R. (2018, September 20). Understanding Migraine Medicine. Retrieved

November 17, 2019, from American Migraine Foundation website:
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-migraine-m
dications/
This article gives information on the different types of medicine for migraines. The first
type of medicine for migraines is acute medication. Acute medications are taken when a person
feels a migraine starting to stop the symptoms from occurring as fast as possible. There are three
different classes of acute migraine medications; analgesics, triptans, and ergot alkaloids.
Analgesics are just over-the-counter pain relief medications. Triptans are types of medications
specifically meant for migraines, and come in tablet form or injection. Finally ergot alkaloids are
a treatment for patients who do not respond well to analgesics or triptans. The other type of
migraine medication is preventative medications. The three categories of preventive medicine are
antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. Antihypertensives help patients with
high blood pressure and migraines. Anticonvulsants help patients who suffer from seizures and
can also help prevent migraines. Antidepressants are used for patients diagnosed with depression
and can help reduce migraines. Treatment for migraines is very specific to each patient. The
intensity and frequency of the patient’s migraines can determine the best medicine treatment for
them.
The author, Dr. Rebecca Michael, are qualified to discuss migraine medications because
their credentials Include being an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the
University of California, San Francisco. Written one year ago, this source is current on the topic
of types of migraine medications. The author thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For
example, he/she acknowledges all different kinds and classes of migraine medicine. This
inclusion shows that there are many types of medicines available to give to patients to treat
migraines.The information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the
author says that medicine is a way to alleviate symptoms, which can be corroborated by
Medline Plus in their publication “Migraines”. Both articles mention that medication is just a
way to alleviate symptoms not cure migraines. The purpose of this article is to inform the
audience about the different types of migraine medicine and when each type is used. The
audience is people who suffer from migraines and are investigating different medicine treatments
for them. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because the article gives a
summary of each kind of medicine and when they are normally used. For example, Dr. Michael
talks about acute medications and continues to list the different classes of acute medication and
when they are used.

Jiu, Z. Z. (2019, November 12). Observation on therapeutic effect and mechanism research
of acupuncture on headache in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke. Retrieved
November 17, 2019, from PubMed website:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31724347
This article is about a study done to observe if acupuncture is an effective method to
relieve headaches from patients who suffered from a stroke. 97 patients that were having
headaches after recovering from a stroke were randomly chosen to participate in acupuncture or
western medicine. The group taking the medication was taking a 5 mg tablet of flunarizine
hydrochloride once a day. The acupuncture group went for treatment once a day for five days a
week. The study lasted for two weeks. One month after treatment began, factors like the visual
analogue scale (VAS), headache scores were observed to determine acupuncture's effectiveness.
After analyzing the data, it was shown that the VAS and headache scores were larger in the
western medicine group. The effectiveness in the acupuncture group (84.2%) was higher than the
western medicine group (62.5%). Also the recurrence rate of the headaches was lower in the
acupuncture group than the wesrwen medicine group. The conclusion of the study was that
acupuncture is more effective than flunarizine hydrochloride in relieving headaches from
patients recovering from a stroke.
The author, Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, is qualified to discuss the effectiveness of acupuncture
for patients recovering from a stroke because their credentials include the First Teaching
Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of TCM, Tianjin 300193, China. Written four months
ago, this source is current on the topic of acupuncture and its effects on headaches. The author
thoroughly evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, he acknowledges that medicine is an
alternative method and then addressed that opposing viewpoint by comparing acupuncture to the
western medicine. This inclusion shows that alternative viewpoints to the author’s were
acknowledged because the author gave data to prove that acupuncture is more effective in
reducing headaches than western medicine. The information contained in the source can be
verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that acupuncture can alleviate symptoms of
headaches, which can be corroborated by Medline Plus in their publication “Migraines”. Both
articles discuss how different treatment methods are used to help patients receive the best care.
The purpose of this article is to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture for headache relief. The
audience is for doctors who are looking to recommend treatment options for their patients after a
stroke. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because it gives an effective
alternative to alleviating headaches for stroke patients. For example, acupuncture was 84.2%
effective compared to the western medicine which was 62.5% effective.

APTA TO CMS: PROPOSED 8% CUT IS 'ARBITRARY' AND PUTS PATIENTS AT RISK.

(2019, September 27). States News Service, p. NA. Retrieved from
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A601017952/GPS?
u=glen20233&sid=GPS&xid=23553eeb
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) released a new physician
fee schedule (PFS) plan for 2021. The article states that theAmerican Physical Therapy
Association (APTA) released a letter describing reasons the new plan is illogical. One issue was
that the reimbursement cuts across the board will not help to make up for other areas of
treatment. Physical therapists faced cuts in 2018 do to other policies, but the new CMS plan
would reduce their reimbursement fees even more. In the article it states,”the reductions for
many PTs could be closer to 23% in 2022” (APTA). This reduction could make it harder for
patients to receive the treatment they need to recover. Another issue is that reducing the
reimbursements could undo a lot of work the health care system had done to provide patients
with the best care possible. It has been recognized that physical therapy is an important part of
patient rehabilitation, so reducing the amount of reimbursement would affect patient recovery
rates. The APTA also addresses the current opioid problem. Physical therapy is an effective
alternative to pain medications, and has been proven to reduce cost of care. The APTA believes
that CMS should be promoting not cutting physical therapy funding. The lack of analysis to
support this plan is another concern. It is not obvious that the CMS has taken into account how
plans could affect local or small business or economic impact, and this new plan will affect many
providers. The APTA is advocating and fighting to get this new CMS plan changed for both
patients and physical therapists.
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an organization that represents
over 100,000 physical therapists in America. They have nationally recognized programs so they
are a reliable source. This article was written in 2019 so it is current on the topic of insurance
reductions in physical therapy. This article does not cover all sides of the argument, but is still
reliable. The readers do not hear the argument from the perspective of the CMS, but the APTA
uses many facts to support their argument throughout. The claims made by the APTA are
supported by research or other studies. Also, the claims the APTA makes are not unreasonable
and they suggest solutions to the problem. The information in this article is supported by
"Medicare Outpatient Physical Therapy Expenditures Vary by Diagnosis and Functional
Mobility.". In this source it talks about how expensive care can be. This supports why the article
is trying to prevent insurance cuts because then the cost would go up for patients and physical
therapists. The purpose of this article is to inform the public about the current issue of cuts to
physical therapy reimbursements. The audience is physical therapists and patients because they
will be affected by this new plan. This article makes the audience realizes the effects this new
plan will have on not just physical therapists, but patients as well.

Pardasaney, P. K., Pope, G. C., Amico, P., Deutsch, A., Kline, T., Dever, J., ...West, P. (2019,
May). Medicare Outpatient Physical Therapy Expenditures Vary by Diagnosis and
Functional Mobility. Physical Therapy, 99(5), 526+. Retrieved from
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587765242/GPS?
u=glen20233&sid=GPS&xid=3a008dd1
This article summarizes a study about the variations in costs of physical therapy. The
purpose of the study was to evaluate different changes to Medicare based on a patient's diagnosis
and initial mobility. The study had a variety of patient genders, health care providers, different
levels of mobility, and different diagnoses in patients, to ensure the researchers had different
groups of data so they could get accurate results. Patients were grouped by diagnosis, and within
those groups they were grouped by mobility. The researchers used the Continuity Assessment
Record and Evaluation- Community (CARE-C) method to evaluate the costs and initial mobility
for patients. They used the Medicare claims to calculate costs. They collected data over a twelve
month period for 4210 patients. The conclusion of the study was that there is a difference in cost
depending on a patient's diagnosis and initial mobility. Lower mobility groups had higher costs
than high mobility groups.
This study was published by Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press is the
largest University press in the world, and they seek to publish academic resources to the public.
Oxford University Press has a reliable reputation. The author, Poonam Pardasaney, works for
Oxford University Press, so she is a reliable source as well. The article was published in 2019, so
it is current on the topic of cost for physical therapy based on diagnosis and mobility. This study
covers perspectives of cost and diagnosis. The researchers collected data on patients with
different diagnosis and different mobility levels as well as had 127 different providers to ensure
they could give an accurate conclusion to the study. "APTA TO CMS: PROPOSED 8% CUT IS
'ARBITRARY' AND PUTS PATIENTS AT RISK.” has evidence that correlates to this study.
Both texts talk about the cost of Medicare for physical therapy patients. This study was done
before the CMS’s new plan for 2021 was created, but the concern is still focused on patient’s
access to care. Both articles emphasize that cost can affect a patient's ability to heal, and
accessibility to care. The audience for this study are physical therapists. The researchers use
many terms that the general public would not know. This study is informative for physical
therapists and other researchers because it gives all of the data, methods, and limitations of the
study. This study is effective in answering whether there is a correlation between the cost of care
and diagnosis and mobility.