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Chronic Pain

Treating Pain with Medical Marijuana

What is Chronic Pain?

While acute pain comes and goes, chronic pain is a condition that remains over a long period of time. As a result, it can have a tremendous impact on quality of life Pain signals keep firing in the nervous system for weeks, months, even years. There may have been an initial injury, but some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past injury or evidence of body damage

Chronic pain medical marijuana patients florida

What Does Medical Marijuana Do For Chronic Pain?

Cannabinoids, when processed by the human body, have tremendous effects on some of the body’s more important functions: hunger, mood, energy, inflammation, and even pain. One of the reasons more and more patients experiencing chronic pain are turning to Medical Marijuana in Florida is that medical cannabis is shown to regulate the sensation of pain throughout all stages of pain processing by the body. The endocannabinoid system in the human body is able to produce analgesic effects by stimulating what are known as the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

CB1 receptors are located in the central and peripheral nervous systems. These receptors have control over not only neurotransmission of pain throughout the body, but emotional pain as well. CB2 receptors can be found in the body’s immune cells and also help to regulate and minimize pain.

senior medical marijuana patients

Marijuana and Chronic Neck or Back Pain

Research has found that up to 97% of medical marijuana patients use the product to treat chronic pain. Additionally, medical marijuana has been found to be one of the safest methods of treating chronic pain. When it comes to pain, research indicates that neuropathy and cancer related pains have seen the best success with treating the condition using medical marijuana. Additionally, medical cannabis has been shown to improve muscle spasms, particularly in those suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Can Marijuana Replace Opioids?

In a recent study in which 3,000 medical marijuana patients were polled, about ⅓ stated they had used opioids for pain the the past 6 months. The majority affirmed that marijuana provided equal relief, without the negative side effects. In fact, 97% of those polled indicated that they were able to take less opioids thanks to medical marijuana, with another 81% stating that marijuana by itself was more effective at managing pain than cannabis combined with opioids. 

Possible Side Effects of Medical Marijuana

As with any other medication, consult with your prescribing medical cannabis doctor for delivery method, dosing, and other recommendations to give you the most relief. Millions of individuals have had tremendous success treating pain with medical marijuana. Side-effects are possible and can include decreased blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and increased heart rate. If you are experiencing these side effects, consult with your prescribing physician immediately. Medical Marijuana has also been known to alter the effects of other medications, especially sedatives, so always let your doctor know of any other medications you may be taking.

Managing Chronic & Acute Pain with Medical Marijuana Webinar

Treating Pain with Medical Marijuana in Florida

If you or a loved one suffers from chronic pain and are interested in how medical marijuana may be able to help you, take our qualification survey and schedule an appointment today!

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Read what others say about Medical Marijuana and Chronic Pain

TS, 57, Tallahassee medical marijuana clinic

TS, 57

Tallahassee medical marijuana clinic

3 months on medical cannabis
– Degenerative Disc Disorder‎

Since beginning Medical Marijuana my life has improved so very much! It has lessened my pain and my anxiety/panic attacks have virtually disappeared! Also, it used to take me 2-3 hours at night to fall asleep because my mind would just be on overload... now I can take a couple of hits with my vapor pen and actually RELAX enough to fall asleep within 30-45 minutes... BIG CHANGE for me in that area! I take a very LOW dose with only 1% THC..it took a couple of tries to get my "cocktail" right as I absolutely HATED that paranoia feeling but with the low dose of the THC I would recommend MM to anyone with severe pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, nausea, you name it, it HELPS. If you can relax your body and mind that helps a tremendous amount with virtually anything that impairs your life. Dr. Dorn is a very caring and personable man... you are not just another person on paper to him. He genuinely cares about his patients and his office staff are quick and efficient. No matter how you feel about "pot" the Medical Marijuana is not a "high" it helps with everything!

HCB, 65, Tallahassee medical marijuana clinic

HCB, 65

Tallahassee medical marijuana doctor

– 12 months on medical cannabis
– Severe and Chronic Pain

Medical marijuana gave me my life back. I developed neurological atypical facial pain in September 2016. Two neurologists had no idea what was wrong with me, but a third diagnosed my condition. My excruciating pain is bilateral and moves all over my face. No medication that the neurologist has prescribed has helped and has only given me severe side effects. I decided to try medical marijuana. Dr. Dorn was kind, helpful, understanding, and sympathetic. I didn't expect to get any relief, but I was astounded that only a small dosage took the pain away for 2 to 8 hours or more. I can make plans again, work again, enjoy life again, all because of medical marijuana. It saved my life.

AM, 54, Pensacola

AM, 54

Pensacola Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 3 months on medical cannabis
– Arthritis, insomnia, chronic pain
– Previously treated with a nonbenzodiazepine sleep medication

Chronic arthritis and insomnia have plagued me for decades. In addition, 2 joint replacement surgeries last year resulted in even more pain and sleeplessness. Although offered [a nonbenzodiazepine sleep medication] by my doctor, I hated taking it due to the side effects, let alone the threat of addition to this dangerous drug. Thanks to a medical marijuana prescription, I have achieved a consistent sleep pattern and pain management, without the risk of traditional medications. This should be an option for Americans in every state, and not held up due to lobbyists for large pharmaceuticals. I'm convinced there is no better, AND SAFER, option for me to live a comfortable and pain free life.

Tom, 45, Summerfield

Tom, 45
Summerfield Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 5 months on medical cannabis
– Back Pain, Sciatica, Depression, Anxiety, Panic disorder, Insomnia
– Previously treated with opioids, benzos, antidepressants

After 5 months of cannabis treatment I am so happy to report the I no longer take any prescription medications for my conditions which are sciatica, major depression, general anxiety disorder with panic attacks and insomnia.
In the past I had a medication for each of those conditions that had bad side effects and addiction problems from the opiates to the benzos as well as the anti-depressants causing mania. After dealing with some of these for 20+ years it is AWESOME to have these conditions finally under some control that seems reasonable. Frankly, I haven’t had a quality of life this good in a very long time. Sansha was great to me at the Summerfield location and God bless you all at MMTC.

Jay, 57, Pensacola

Jay, 57
Pensacola Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 5 months on medical cannabis
– Severe and Chronic Pain, migraines, arthritis
– Previously treated with opioids

Off opioids. Blood sugar down. Whole body arthritis, off more pills. Multiple chronic conditions. Plants, not pills. My experiences are 100% positive; and I have regained the will, and desire, to face today....and tomorrow. NOTE: sharing my experience, not giving medical advice; each patient is different.

Meghan, 32, Pensacola

Meghan, 32
Pensacola Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 1 month on medical cannabis
– Degenerative Disc Disorder‎

I am a young active person who has lost my life to a back injury. It has been 2 years since I've been able to do anything like going shopping. For 2 years I tried everything but back surgery to fix it. After several doctors and a lot of money spent I ended up at the MMTC. Just within a month I have gotten my life back a little by every day. I actually feel good and have the energy to get out of the house. I needed something for the pain and energy. I still have pain but its not near as bad. I just started CBD it's been a week and I can already tell a difference in my energy levels. I also started vape which helps with energy and relaxing. I can not say better things about this I wish this was open worldwide. Thank you for bringing my life back!

Barbara, 74 Tallahassee medical marijuana clinic

Barbara, 74
Tallahassee medical marijuana doctor

– 6 months on medical cannabis
– Parkinson’s, chronic pain, debilitating tremor
– Previously treated with opioids, epilepsy medication, physical therapy

(click to view video testimonial)

Excerpt: "I have Parkinson’s, chronic pain, and a tremor which runs in our family. It affects my voice, my jaw, my hands, my head. And in the past I've tried medications. I could have drunk alcohol heavily, that usually helps, but that wasn't an option for me for obvious reasons. And I also have pretty bad back, which continued to get worse from being a nurse. It got to the point where the tremor prevented me from drawing blood, drawing up medications, feeding myself without embarrassment, and so forth and so on..."

Russ, 39, Tallahassee medical marijuana clinic

Russ, 39
Tallahassee medical marijuana doctor

– 4 months on medical cannabis
– PTSD, severe physical trauma to back
– Previously treated with mood stabilizers

(click to view video testimonial)

Excerpt: "I took 9-10 pills in the morning and another handful like that every night. Since I've come here, I don't take any of those pills in the morning. I do take some nighttime pills, but I don't take mood stabilizers like I had to. I’ve been treated with medical cannabis four months, and it has made a huge change.

I came to Dr. Dorn, and it seemed like I already had known him. I think the the best thing is, if I had any questions at all, he would answer them..."

Margaret, 89, Summerfield

Margaret, 89
Summerfield Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 2 months on medical cannabis
– Severe and chronic pain, arthritis

I have suffered terribly with post-herpetic neuropathy (after-shingles nerve damage), causing pain at night that is easily a 9/10 on a scale of 10, plus severe arthritis, back and leg pain. Since taking CBD tincture for two months, I have NO shingles pain during the night and, for the first time in almost 5 years, I’m getting a full night’s sleep! I also have days where I feel better all over than I have in the past 20 years! I find the results miraculous and the answer to a prayer. My quality of life has totally changed for the good.

Mary, 76, Summerfield

Mary, 76
Summerfield Medical Marijuana Doctor

– 6 months on medical cannabis
– Back Pain, sleeping problems

Pain kept me awake at night. I seldom got a full night’s sleep. My doctor gave me a prescription drug and it helped but when I wanted to stop using it I found I had to detox myself. I applied for the medical marijuana and pain reduced big time. Now I can relax and sleep, now I can volunteer and do all the activities I love.