Marijuana and Chronic Pain

How MMJ Health can help Chronic Pain Patients

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a type of persistent pain that carries on for long periods of time. Usually, the time period is longer than 12 weeks despite administered medications and treatments and can sometimes last for years. Most people heal back to normal following an injury or operation within that time frame, but sometimes the pain can become ongoing or can be triggered without any history of an injury or operation at all. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, more than 1.5 billion people around the world suffer from chronic pain. It is a complex condition that can be caused by a plethora of factors, amongst which we can mention nerve damage, inflammation or underlying medical conditions such as neuropathy, fibromyalgia or arthritis.

Chronic pain is a widespread issue and it affects millions of people around the world. It’s a condition that has a significant impact on the quality of life of the individuals. As a result, the person experiences physical and emotional distress, sleep disturbances, fatigue, reduced mobility and limitations in performing daily activities. It’s not rare for persons to feel depressed, anxious and with a decreased overall well-being as well.

What causes Chronic Pain?

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic.

While acute pain is a normal event experienced when something is triggered by the nervous system to alert the body to a possible injury and the need for a necessary response, chronic pain is much different from typical pain.

The brain and nerves inside the spine make up the central nervous system that carries messages from the body to the brain to tell it what’s happening. Sometimes the brain’s information from the body results in the feeling of pain and sometimes the brain’s reading of these pain signals is not accurate. It is believed that chronic pain can develop after nerves become damaged.

After an injury occurs, usually the pain will decrease with time, but when the pain signals are still being fired out by the brain they can be hard to stop for weeks, months, and even years. It can limit mobility, flexibility, strength, and endurance.

Many experience chronic pain even when the initial accident, like an infection, sprained back or other injury has cleared up and can also be found in those with other underlying conditions that are the cause of ongoing pain such as, arthritis or cancer. Some that suffer from chronic pain also never experience any prior injury. Pain conditions commonly affect older adults. As it’s been mentioned before, there are multiple causes that may trigger chronic pain. Let’s explore some of the most relevant ones:

Nerve damage: Known as neuropathy, it can lead to chronic pain. Conditions as post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy can lead to ongoing pain sensations.
Chronic illnesses: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease or lupus, endometriosis or multiple sclerosis can cause chronic pain.
Injury: In some cases, an initial injury is the stem of chronic pain. A strained muscle, a sprained back or a traumatic event like a fall or a car accident lead individuals to suffer from chronic pain even after the initial injury heals.
Psychological factors: Stress, depression, anxiety or a history of trauma can easily influence the perception and experience of pain. These factors can exacerbate chronic pain and make it more challenging to manage.
Inflammation: Osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions can cause persistent pain, thus contributing to ongoing discomfort.
Musculoskeletal issues: Chronic pain can arise from problems in the musculoskeletal system. Myofascial pain syndrome, chronic back pain or neck pain, degenerative conditions, muscle imbalances or degenerative conditions can contribute to persistent pain.
Central sensitization: In some cases, the central nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals and thus leading to chronic pain conditions like CPRS _ complex regional pain syndrome _ or fibromyalgia.
Other medical conditions: Chronic pain can also be a symptom or other medical conditions such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Symptoms of Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain can affect your physical health, mental health, and even your social life over time. Each individual may experience chronic pain differently, depending on his or her sensitivity to pain and the underlying cause of the pain. Some common symptoms that are associated with chronic pain are:

Persistent pain: It’s a recurrent or continuous pain that lasts for an extended period, typically beyond the expected healing time.
Intensity and severity: It can range from mild to severe and its intensity may fluctuate over time. Patients may describe it as sharp, dull, throbbing, burning or shooting pain.
Location and distribution: Chronic pain can affect different areas of the body. It may be localized to a specific area or widespread.
Functional impairment and limited mobility: Chronic pain can lead to reduced mobility and limitations in performing daily activities such as bending, walking or lifting. It may interfere with the individual’s work, social interactions or hobbies.

Sleep disturbances: Patients suffering from chronic pain can contribute to daytime drowsiness or fatigue as persistent pain can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep or experiencing resting sleep.
Emotional and psychological impact: Chronic pain can have a significant emotional toll. It may cause irritability, anxiety, frustration, depression and a decreased overall sense of well-being. In addition, persistent pain can affect interpersonal relationships, mood and concentration.
Changes in appetite and weight: Some individuals with chronic pain may experience changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or weight gain.

As mentioned before, people experience chronic pain in unique ways and it is not rare for individuals to exhibit a combination of these symptoms. This is why it is so important to ensure proper assessment and communication with healthcare providers in order to diagnose and manage chronic pain effectively.
Researchers do not yet know if any of these conditions could be related to a common cause.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.

The pain can lead to other symptoms like:

Different Types and Conditions of Chronic Pain

Common chronic pain types include:

A person can have more than one and sometimes even two or more coexisting chronic pain conditions. Some conditions include:

Diagnosing Chronic Pain

Your doctor or physician will start by asking about any illnesses or injuries that might have occurred in the past and triggered the pain. They will also try to determine the type of pain you are experiencing and how long you’ve been experiencing it, whether it is sharp or dull, constant or intermittent, etc.

You will also need to complete additional diagnostic testing with blood and urine analysis, musculoskeletal and neurological exams, electromyography and nerve conduction studies, as well as CT, MRI, and X-Ray imaging scans to find out if there is any joint damage or other underlying conditions or issues that could be causing the pain.

Please see a licensed doctor in order to get properly diagnosed with chronic pain. MMJ Health has professional and knowledgeable Medical Marijuana Specialists that can create a treatment plan that works for your lifestyle.

Diagnosing chronic pain can be challenging. This is why it’s crucial to ensure that the patient receives a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals in order to identify the underlying cause and formulate an effective and efficient treatment plan. Let’s look into the diagnostic process of chronic pain more in detail:

Medical history: The physician will start by taking a detailed medical history that will include the onset, duration, location and characteristics of the pain. They will also ask the individual about injuries, surgeries or underlying medical conditions that could contribute to the pain.
Physical examination: The affected area will be assessed with a thorough physical examination to evaluate any associated physical signs such as swelling, tenderness or limited range of motion.

Pain assessment tools: The physician will rely on various pain assessment tools to help quantify and document both the intensity and impact of the pain. These tools help patients provide subjective feedback about their pain experience.
Imaging studies: Depending on the suspected cause of the pain, the healthcare provider may ask for X-rays, MRIs or CT scans in order to visualize structural abnormalities, injuries, degenerative changes or nerve-related issues.
Lab Tests: In order to check for inflammatory conditions, infections, autoimmune disorders or other systemic factors that could play a role in the persistent pain, the physician may order blood tests.
Nerve function tests: EMGs (electromyograpies) may be performed to evaluate nerve function and identify any abnormalities or nerve damage that could be causing or contributing to the chronic pain.
Specialist consultations: Patients may be referred to a pain specialist or a specific medical specialist such as orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist or neurologist for further evaluation and expertise in managing the underlying condition.
Psychological assessment: Since chronic pain can have a remarkable impact on a person’s emotional well-being, a psychological assessment may be required to evaluate the presence of any associated mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression or anxiety.

Best Strains for Chronic Pain

Blue Cheese

This cannabis strain is well known for its combination of flavors and effects. Its analgesic properties may be beneficial especially as they combine with its ability to promote relaxation and muscle tension relief. Scientists also believe that Blue Cheese may also have mood enhancing properties, thus providing some relief from emotional aspects associated with chronic pain.

Testimonials

Play Video about Construction foreman says goodbye to painkillers after attending MMJ Health

I WAS SO SICK OF PAINKILLERS: Thomas has been a patient at MMJ Health, Florida for about two years and he came to us after spending money and time on doctors who only prescribed pain killers and physical therapy for his arthritis and chronic pain. He shares with us how medical marijuana has changed his life.

What can a Florida Medical Marijuana clinic do for Chronic Pain?

Medical cannabis may help with symptoms of chronic pain. Studies show that medical marijuana is a promising alternative for patients that suffer from chronic pain. Research has shown that medical cannabis lacks the toxic side effects associated with many other traditional pain medications and may be an effective pain reliever for cancer patients. Patients with pain related to the nervous system have seen significant benefits and many others have reported relief from many different types of chronic pain.

Under Amendment 2, chronic pain may be a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Florida. This means that individuals suffering from chronic pain in Florida may be eligible to receive a medical marijuana recommendation from a certified Florida marijuana doctor. By obtaining a medical marijuana card, patients gain legal access to regulated and quality-controlled cannabis products to help manage their chronic pain.

If you are currently suffering from chronic pain and are interested in exploring medical marijuana as a potential treatment option, our certified Florida Marijuana doctors, you can book an appointment and come to any of our 8 convenient MMJ Health locations and determine whether medical cannabis is a suitable choice for your pain management needs.