Chronic Pain? How Medical Marijuana Can Help You
Managing chronic pain requires a multimodal approach. Rarely does a single treatment approach provide adequate relief in a meaningful way that restores your quality of life. Living with constant pain can not only limit your ability to enjoy daily activities, but it can also impact your mental health, and overall well-being.
If your current treatment plan is falling short of adequately controlling your pain, it might be time to consider expanding your approach. Here at Medicus Cannabus, our board-certified physician, James O. Hill II, DO, provides high-quality care to members of the Port St. Lucie, Lake City, Florida, and surrounding communities.
Dr. Hill specializes in providing alternative options to opioids, and benzodiazepines, to treat conditions like chronic pain.
How medical marijuana works
Medical marijuana improves pain by interacting with your body's endocannabinoid system. This complex network of receptors plays a vital role in regulating pain, mood, sleep, and immune response.
Cannabis contains eight major cannabinoid compounds. Of these, THC and CBD are most known for their effects. The cannabinoids in marijuana bind to receptors throughout the body, and among other things, can alter pain, and pain perception.
Engaging your pain pathways
Chronic pain and inflammation often go hand in hand, and medical marijuana’s ability to control inflammation is one of the key factors in its benefit for pain management.
Unlike traditional painkillers, medical marijuana also helps adjust how the patient manages pain, leading to lasting relief without major side effects.
Targeting key pain types
Medical marijuana is effective at managing various chronic pain conditions, particularly those driven by nerve pain and inflammation. Patients with neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis have reported substantial relief after adding medical marijuana to their treatment plan.
THC reduces pain intensity, while CBD delivers anti-inflammatory benefits, addressing pain at its source. This combination is especially effective for pain linked to inflammation and nerve-related issues.
Fewer side effects
Conventional medications used to manage chronic pain, especially opioids, pose well-documented risks, from dependency and cognitive impairment to other long-term side effects. Even over-the-counter medications can carry risks, like gastrointestinal or kidney complications. Medical marijuana offers a different approach that carries minimal side effects.
Common side effects of medical marijuana, such as slight drowsiness or appetite changes, are generally manageable and can be addressed based on tolerance and medical need. Working with a medical marijuana professional can help find the right strain and dosage to achieve effective pain relief with minimal side effects.
Customized pain solutions
Medical marijuana serves as a highly customizable addition to your pain management plan. Different strains, each with unique balances of THC and CBD, allow you to target their specific type of pain. From among the various delivery methods, including capsules, tinctures, and topical creams, you can choose a form that aligns best with your daily routines and preferences.
Partnering with a medical marijuana specialist like Dr. Hill means you’ll receive a treatment plan that best matches your medical needs.
A path to better pain management
If you’re seeking new solutions for chronic pain, medical marijuana may be the path to relief you’ve been looking for. Consult with Dr. Hill and our team at Medicus Cannabus to help determine if this approach fits your pain management goals. Contact a trusted provider today to take a positive step toward improved pain management.