Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain
If you or a loved one is struggling with Chronic Pain, you should know that medical marijuana may be available for treating symptoms of this condition. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than 3 to 6 months.
It demands regular clinical attention and intrudes into every aspect of a person’s life. It is a complex sensory and emotional experience that varies widely between people depending on the cause and psychological state of the patient.
Chronic pain is one of the most common forms of disability among people in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 50 million American adults suffer from chronic pain. With the increasing rate of patients suffering from chronic pain along with their increasing resistance to opioids and other pain-relieving medications, the need for an effective alternative has risen. Cannabis or medical marijuana is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pain-relieving medications. In Pennsylvania, medical marijuana is commonly used for several conditions namely, ALS, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and more.
Patients living with Chronic Pain are eligible for treatment with medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Compassionate Certification Centers is here to help!
What are the Causes of Chronic Pain?
An initial injury such as a sprain or pulled muscle can develop into a prolonged nerve damage injury. Although, there are several other causes of chronic pain, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Endometriosis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Acute Pain vs Chronic Pain
Acute pain is usually a sharp pain caused by an underlying condition that lasts no longer than six months. The pain subsides when the underlying condition no longer exists.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is ongoing and usually lasts longer than three to six months. It continues even after the underlying condition has healed or gone away.
Qualifying Conditions for Chronic Pain
- Chronic Abdominal Pain
- Chronic Arm Pain
- Chronic Back Pain
- Chronic Bladder Pain
- Chronic Breast Pain
- Chronic Coccyx Pain
- Chronic Coronary Pain
- Chronic Ear Pain
- Chronic Eye Pain
- Chronic Face Pain
- Chronic Foot Pain
- Chronic Gastric Pain
- Chronic Genital Pain
- Chronic Headaches
- Chronic Jaw Pain
- Chronic Joint Pain
- Chronic Kidney Pain
- Chronic Limb Pain
- Chronic Menstrual Pain
- Chronic Myalgia
- Chronic Myofascial Pain
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Chronic Neuromuscular Pain
- Chronic Pain Due to Cancer or Malignancy
- Chronic Pain Due to Device, Implant, or Graft
- Chronic Pain Due to Trauma
- Chronic Pain From Prosthetics
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Chronic Postoperative Pain
- Chronic Renal Colic
- Chronic Sacral Pain
- Chronic Sacrum Pain
- Chronic Sexual Organ Dysfunction
- Chronic Spinal Pain
- Chronic Throat Pain
- Chronic Thoracic Pain
Most Symptoms of Chronic Pain
Natural chronic pain relief can be categorized as a sharp or dull pain that may be steady or intermittent without any apparent reason. Such pain causes a burning or aching sensation in affected areas or can occur in nearly any part of the body. The pain can also feel different in the various affected areas.
- Recurrent or persistent headaches
- Post-surgical pain
- Post-trauma pain
- Lower back pain
- Nerve pain
- Psychogenic pain
Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain Relief
Medical marijuana or prescribed cannabis is a drug consisting of dried buds of the female cannabis plant. Medical marijuana has five types of cannabinoid, amongst which the most helpful is the active ingredient, THC (delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC helps relieve severe pain by interacting with the brain involved in pain transmission. It is used as a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory and psychologically stimulant.
Another type of cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD). It is often used in the form of CBD oil for chronic pain, inflammation or overall discomfort related to a health condition.
Medical marijuana is widely used to treat and manage severe chronic pain or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain. Over the years, renowned researchers have reported several positive results of the use of marijuana specifically for chronic pain treatment:
- 70% of 17,000 people with cancer experienced an improvement in pain and general well-being
- Decreased chronic migraine episodes after usage
- Decreased side effects of other pain medications
- Reduced opioid usage by 64% in pain patients
- Improved quality of life of study subjects
However, there is still a need for more research into the use of different strains, dosages, and methods of delivery of medical marijuana products for chronic pain.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card for for Chronic Pain
Due to the seriousness of the disease, many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana for Chronic Pain. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to get your medical marijuana card:
- Register over the phone or online
- Talk to a medical marijuana doctor
- Get your medical marijuana card
Compassionate Certification Centers is here to provide you with the support, care, and guidance you need to get certified for a medical marijuana card. Schedule an appointment with us at 888-316-9085 to start your evaluation process!
