Medical marijuana is often prescribed to patients who suffer from severe or chronic pain. This applies to many forms of pain, from injury pain to neuropathic pain, but one of the most common qualifying conditions for medical marijuana is back pain.
While everyone has likely experienced back pain to some extent, many people suffer from severe and persistent back pain. This can be caused by issues such as poor workplace posture, injuries, or even other conditions such as Arthritis.
Chronic back pain can be hard to manage and severely impact the quality of life of sufferers. In addition to constant, nagging pain, they may experience nausea, fatigue, stress, and a host of other issues due to their back pain. Medical marijuana has now become a common solution for dealing with back pain and its associated symptoms.
What is Back Pain & How is it Treated?
Back pain can come in many forms. For instance, you might experience temporary back pain due to poor lifting posture or straining a muscle. However, back pain can sometimes become chronic and severe, lasting for weeks or even months. In these cases, sufferers often have to find ways to deal with their persistent, nagging back pain.
Chronic pain is a common qualifying condition for marijuana, and chronic back pain is one of its most common forms. Research shows that back pain is increasingly prevalent in adults and can severely impact their quality of life. Persistent back pain can lead to reduced work performance, chronic stress, and even cause disability if it isn’t taken care of.
Many patients now seek treatment for their back pain, which can come in many forms. Physical activity and physiotherapy can help relieve back pain, but it often takes time to feel the results. Pain medications can also be used to prevent nagging back pain, but these can come with risky side effects.
Medical marijuana is now a common alternative treatment for back pain, especially as it can help reduce pain, relieve inflammation, and help with various other associated symptoms.
Medical Marijuana & Back Pain
Those who suffer from back pain often turn to medical marijuana, especially as it’s seen as a safe and effective alternative to treatments such as opiates. Many patients find that marijuana instantly helps relieve the chronic sensation of pain and allows them to live a more healthy and active lifestyle.
Various studies show that medical marijuana helps relieve chronic pain due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Marijuana contains a range of cannabinoids that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, helping to reduce the sensation of pain as well as aiding the body’s recovery.
Research from the University of Colorado’s Spine Center found that, out of 200 patients who suffered from chronic pain, 89% found that it helped greatly or moderately relieve their pain. Although 14% of users experienced side effects such as mood problems, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating, 81% said medical marijuana worked as well as or better than narcotic painkillers.
Due to its fast-acting pain-relieving effects, medical marijuana can be extremely helpful for patients who deal with persistent back pain. It can also be used in conjunction with other treatments such as exercise and physiotherapy to help reduce the persistence of chronic back pain.
How Medical Marijuana Helps with Back Pain Symptoms
The main benefit of using medical marijuana for back pain is that it can swiftly reduce the sensation of pain. However, it can also have other benefits. Those who suffer from back pain often deal with other associated symptoms, such as stress, anxiety, nausea, and lack of sleep. Medical marijuana can help with all of these issues.
Patients with chronic back pain often feel stressed and anxious due to their persistent pain. However, research shows that marijuana has a positive effect on your mood. It can help reduce oxidative stress and anxiety, allowing patients to live a more positive lifestyle.
Chronic back pain can also cause sleep problems, especially as those who deal with constant, nagging pain will have a hard time falling asleep. In addition to tackling symptoms of pain and inflammation, marijuana can also help improve sleep in many users. By helping them sleep better, it can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health overall.
Patients with back pain sometimes also suffer from nausea and vomiting, especially if they use other medications that bring on these side effects. Research suggests that cannabis can help with nausea and vomiting relief due to its antiemetic effects.
How to Use Medical Marijuana for Back Pain
There are many effective ways to use marijuana to relieve back pain. Smoking or vaping Cannabis Flower is a popular option, especially as inhaling cannabis results in instant pain-relieving effects. While most strains can help with physical relief, indica strains are especially helpful.
Some patients may wish to avoid inhaling cannabis and use other types of cannabis products instead. They may prefer Cannabis Capsules, Edibles, or Tinctures, which allow you to take a measured daily dose of THC.
Cannabis Topicals can also be helpful for back pain. Products such as cannabis-infused creams, balms, and lotions can be applied to your back for soothing relief without any psychoactive effects. Alternatively, patients can also try non-psychoactive CBD products such as CBD Tinctures, Edibles, Capsules, and Vapes.
How to Get Medical Marijuana for Back Pain
While certain states allow adults aged 21 or over to buy marijuana for any purpose, the best way to get medical marijuana for back pain is to apply for your state’s Medical Marijuana program. This allows you to access a wide range of high-quality medical marijuana products at affordable prices.
In Florida, patients with back pain can buy medical marijuana after obtaining a medical card. This involves booking an appointment with a Florida medical marijuana doctor and completing an online application.
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Once you have your medical card, you can buy marijuana and CBD products from medical marijuana dispensaries across the state.
The Takeaway
When back pain becomes chronic and severe, medical marijuana is one of the safest and most effective solutions for tackling the issue. Marijuana helps relieve pain and inflammation as well as having benefits for stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms.
Treat Back Pain naturally by getting your medical marijuana card. The first step is to schedule an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor. We make it fast and easy!
