Can Medical Marijuana Help With Back Pain?

Can medical marijuana help with back pain?

Individuals living with chronic back pain understand the daily challenges and inability to participate in some of their favorite activities. When physical therapy, chiropractors, and over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t enough, some patients turn to addictive narcotics. However, medical cannabis may be the ideal solution for most patients living with chronic back pain. 

Does cannabis help with back pain?

The short answer: yes! Back pain is one of the most common conditions for which medical marijuana is prescribed. Millions of patients worldwide benefit from the medicinal properties of cannabis, especially for their chronic pain conditions. However, the evidence stems beyond anecdotal experience. 

How cannabis treats back pain:

Medical marijuana is one of the most holistic treatments for back pain, targeting a variety of back pain causes at its source. Before marijuana, patients may have turned to opioids for their chronic back pain, which comes with a long list of negative side effects while actually making chronic pain worse over time. Instead, medical marijuana improves the symptoms of back pain in the following ways:  

Provides Pain Relief

First, medical marijuana works by alleviating the actual pain associated with back pain and other chronic pain conditions, wherever they are present in the body. It does this through its THC and CBD components, which stimulate the brains’ cannabinoid receptors. This process activates the brain’s reward system and reduces pain levels. 

Relaxes the Muscles

Some patients with back pain also experience muscle spasms, which can further irritate this painful condition. Other patients suffer from muscle spasms on their own, without pain, which still qualifies for medical marijuana treatment. Cannabis helps to relax the muscles and reduce the incidences of spasms. 

Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory 

Inflammation is a common cause of chronic pain and is almost always present in patients with chronic pain conditions. Both THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve pain throughout the body due to overexertion, arthritis, or injury. 

Contact a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor

Do you suffer from back pain? At MMTCFL, we can determine if you are eligible for medical marijuana and help you get your medical marijuana registration card. Get started with medical marijuana today by taking our online eligibility survey.