Chronic pain is the number one condition that patients use medical marijuana for. This is not only because of the vast amounts of people suffering from this condition, but also due to the fact that medical marijuana is a safe and effective way to treat chronic pain.
Chronic pain is in fact just that. It is chronic which means it persists and does not go away with time. While getting a diagnosis for some can be freeing, it does come hand in hand with then having to manage that pain. Managing chronic pain is tricky and often leaves those struggling. Those with chronic pain can still lead fulfilling lives! But the key to living that life is finding the treatment path that is right for you.
At Ohio Marijuana Card, we empower our patients with the tools to take control of their health and wellness through medical marijuana treatment. We also are a news source for all things marijuana in the state of Ohio. Join our community and stay in the know by reading our blog and following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
In this article, we will be talking about what exactly chronic pain is, how medical marijuana can be an effective treatment for this condition, and how to get your medical marijuana card with us. We also will be sharing some of the most popular strains that you can look out for at your local dispensary that best aid chronic pain!
What is Chronic Pain?
Being informed about what chronic pain is will help you figure out if medical marijuana is right for you. Let's get into a little more detail about what this condition really is! Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts longer than the average pain one would usually experience. Typically when your body goes through an injury or illness, pain is involved for a period of time while you are healing and then it goes away. For those with chronic pain, it does not go away. When pain lasts longer than 3-6 months, that is when a chronic pain diagnosis can be applied.
Chronic pain can make everyday activities, such as getting ready in the morning, driving to work or tying your shoes, a struggle. The pain as well as the limits it puts on your life can take a toll on your emotional and mental health. This is why a lot of people diagnosed with chronic pain also struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
What Are The Causes of Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of different things but it often is incited by an injury or a medical condition. For example, chronic pain can emerge after a back injury, or due to broken bones. It also can result from medical conditions such as nerve damage, cancer, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, Lyme disease or more.
There have been doctors that also theorized that the cause of chronic pain is just as much mental as it is physical. Some experts believe that those with this condition can have a pre-existing issue with the system of nerves and glands in their body which causes them to handle stress differently than most. They believe this results in them feeling pain differently too which can be what triggers chronic pain.
These can all be causes that initially trigger the onset of chronic pain but there are also cases where there is not an exact injury or condition that can be pointed to at all. This is what makes chronic pain such a hard illness to fight. Pain is subjective and everyone has a different level of pain that they can handle so it is hard to measure chronic pain as it varies person to person. This makes communication between doctor and patients key!
Three Types of Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain is very complicated and looks different on everyone but generally there are three main forms of chronic pain that impact people most:
Neuropathic pain:
This is a result of nerve damage. Instead of the pain being caused by an injury, neuropathic pain is caused from abnormal signals to the brain that creates unwarranted pain in the body.
Visceral pain:
Visceral pain is rooted in the organs. Disturbances in the organs are more difficult to pinpoint because not every organ can signal pain. It is also much harder for a patient to specifically tell which organ is causing them pain as well so communication again is key.
Somatic pain:
This pain is a result of an external experience such as broken bones or injuries. It also is the type of pain that is most commonly associated with chronic pain as it is the common.
The Symptoms of Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain results from the body sending signals that run throughout the nervous system and signal pain. These signals are normal after an injury or illness as the body heals but are abnormal without a cause or well after typical healing time has passed. These signals can last for months or even years! This significantly impacts peoples lives. Here are some of symptoms common for those with chronic pain:
Aching
A burning sensation
Muscle stiffness or soreness
Mood changes
Loss of appetite
General weakness
Lethargy
Anxiety
Depression
Can Medical Marijuana Help Treat Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain has actually been one of the most rigorously studied medical conditions in relation to medical marijuana treatment! This news is huge for those who suffer from chronic pain. These studies give them the option to turn to the research to prove once and for all that medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.
A complete review was led by Harvard Medical School which examined 28 studies that looked at the effectiveness of cannabinoids on the treatment of pain. This review concluded that marijuana is an effective treatment for chronic and neuropathic pain and is supported by high quality research evidence. Out of the studies that were reviewed, all of the studies on chronic pain as well as all of the studies on neuropathic pain showed that patients found a significant improvement in their symptoms after marijuana treatment!
Another study from the University of Michigan, published in the Journal of Pain, showed that marijuana improved the quality of life for patients, reduced the use of opioids by an average of 64% and also decreased the side effects of other medications.
How The Endocannabinoid System Works With Chronic Pain:
How does medical marijuana treat chronic pain in the body exactly? To answer your question, we have to look a little deeper at the actual science behind the marijuana plant and the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) maintains homeostasis within the body, in other words, balance. Issues with the ECS can happen when the receptors for signaling pain are abnormal, as happens with chronic pain. Cannabinoids help ensure that the ECS goes back to being balanced. The two main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2 which help with body regulation. Marijuana has endocannabinoids that attach to these receptors and help bring about balance in the ECS when medical conditions, like chronic pain, knock it off balance.
The cannabinoids in medical marijuana help treat the symptoms of chronic pain too! CBD, in particular, is a strain of marijuana that many chronic pain patients have found refuge in since it is best known for its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Many patients dealing with chronic pain need treatment that lasts longer and is more effective than traditional medication provides. Marijuana also stands out above the rest because traditional medications also have caused a lot of damage to the community as they have ignited the opioid epidemic. Opioids are over prescribed and other forms of nontraditional medication, like marijuana, are stigmatized. Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, we believe that you deserve relief from chronic pain without the risk of addiction or stigmatization!
Can I Get Medical Marijuana For My Chronic Pain?
Getting your medical marijuana card in Ohio has never been easier! At Ohio Marijuana Card, we are here to walk you through every step of the process with the guidance of our compassionate patient support staff and medical marijuana team as a whole.
In order to be eligible for medical marijuana in the state of Ohio, you only need four things. You need to be at least 18 years old, have a current diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition, have proof of residency in Ohio and meet with a certified Ohio marijuana doctor.
Thankfully, chronic pain is a qualifying condition in that state of Ohio. This means that if you are suffering from this condition you may be eligible for medical marijuana treatment!
Get Approved in 3 Easy Steps!
Schedule a telemedicine appointment with us by calling (866) 457-5559 or schedule an appointment online.
Meet with our certified marijuana doctors virtually via phone or computer to discuss your medical records and history.
With the doctor’s approval, you can receive your medical marijuana card via email from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy!
Are There Any Good Strains for Chronic Pain?
Once you have your medical marijuana card, you can access any of the dispensaries in Ohio to purchase your medical marijuana treatment. If you are new to treating your chronic pain with marijuana, you should be looking for strains that will help target your pain, inflammation and other side effects that come with chronic pain, such as anxiety or depression.
Below are some of the most popular strains that you can keep an eye out for. Remember that not all dispensaries have the same products so if you are looking for something in particular you can find the menu on their website or you can simply call ahead and ask!
Strains that Help With Chronic Pain:
White Widow
Girl Scout Cookies
Blue Dream
Granddaddy Purple
Jack Herer
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Ohio.