Chronic pain is the number one condition that patients use medical marijuana for. This stat alone shows us that not only is medical marijuana a safe and effective way to treat chronic pain but also that there are so many people dealing with this condition day to day.
Chronic pain is just that, it is chronic. This means it doesn’t go away. Once diagnosed with chronic pain, a patient will have to learn how to manage that pain. Those with chronic pain can absolutely lead fulfilling lives! But the key to living that life is finding the treatment path that is right for you.
Here at Louisiana 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 Louisiana. Join our community and stay in the know by reading our blog and following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
In today’s article, we will be talking about what chronic pain is, how medical marijuana can be an effective treatment, and how to get your medical marijuana card with us if you have this condition. We also will be sharing some of the most popular strains that you can look out for at your local pharmacy that best aid chronic pain!
What is Chronic Pain?
Having an informed mindset is the first step to figuring out if medical marijuana is right for you so lets get into a little more detail about what this condition really is. Chronic pain is persistent pain that lasts longer than typical pain tends to last. Usually when your body goes through an injury or illness, pain is involved and then it goes away. For those with chronic pain, it does not go away. When pain lasts for 3-6 months or more, that is called chronic pain.
Chronic pain can make everyday activities, such as getting ready in the morning or tying your shoes, a struggle. This can very clearly take a toll on your emotional and mental health as well. Many people with chronic pain also struggle with anxiety and depression because of how the pain interferes with their lives.
The Causes of Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain can be caused by a number of different things but it often develops after an injury or a condition. Chronic pain can develop after a back injury, or due to broken bones. It also can result from medical illnesses such as nerve damage, cancer, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, Lyme disease or more.
Doctors have also theorized that the causes of chronic pain are just as much mental as they are physical. Some experts believe that those with this condition can have an issue with the system of nerves and glands in their body which causes them to handle stress differently than most. This results in them feeling pain differently too.
Although these can all be causes that initially trigger the onset of chronic pain, there also have been cases where there is not an exact injury or illness that can be pointed to at all. This is what makes chronic pain such a hard condition to live with. Pain is subjective and everyone has a different level of pain that they can handle so it really is hard to measure chronic pain and how the body is responding to it. This makes communication between doctor and patients key!
Types of Chronic Pain:
While chronic pain can be complicated and effect many different parts of the body, there are three main forms of chronic pain that impact people most:
Neuropathic pain:
This type of pain is a result of nerve damage. Instead of the pain being caused by some sort of 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.
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.
Symptoms of Chronic Pain:
Chronic pain results from the body sending signals that run throughout the nervous system and signal pain. These signals are typical after an injury or illness but are abnormal without a cause or well after healing time has passed. These signals can last for months or even years and significantly impact day to day life. 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
How Can Medical Marijuana Help Treat Chronic Pain?
Thankfully, chronic pain has been one of the most rigorously studied medical conditions in relation to marijuana! This is great news for those who suffer from chronic pain as they can turn to the research to show once and for all that medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.
A comprehensive 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 as an effective treatment for chronic and neuropathic pain is supported by high quality research evidence. Out of the studies that were reviewed, all of the studies on chronic pain and 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 decreased the side effects of other medications.
Chronic Pain and the Endocannabinoid System:
So why exactly is this? How does marijuana treat chronic pain in the body? To answer these questions, 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) is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the body. Issues within the ECS happen when the receptors for signaling pain are abnormal, as happens with chronic pain. Cannabinoids help ensure that the body can fulfill its functions. The two main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2 which are responsible for body regulation. Marijuana has endocannabinoids that can attach to these receptors and help bring about balance in the ECS when medical conditions knock it off balance.
The cannabinoids in marijuana help treat the symptoms of chronic pain! CBD, in particular, has been a strain of marijuana that many chronic pain patients have found refuge in. CBD is best known for its pain relieving qualities.
Many patients dealing with chronic pain need treatment that lasts longer and is more effective than traditional medication will allow. Traditional medications also have caused a lot of damage to the community and ignited the opioid epidemic as opioids are over prescribed and other forms of nontraditional medication, like marijuana, are stigmatized. Here at Louisiana Marijuana Card, we believe that you deserve relief from chronic pain!
How Can I Get Medical Marijuana For My Chronic Pain?
Getting your medical marijuana card in Louisiana has never been easier! We are here to walk you through every step of the process with the guidance of our compassionate patient support staff.
In order to qualify for your medical marijuana card in Louisiana you have to first be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, have a written certification from a licensed physician and have proof of residency in Louisiana via a driver license or state ID card.
One of the best things about the Louisiana medical marijuana program is that Louisiana is what we consider an “all conditions” state. This means that you don’t need to have a specific condition in order to qualify for medical marijuana treatment, you just need to be diagnosed with any medical condition that can benefit from medical marijuana. So all of you folks with chronic pain can potentially qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Louisiana!
Get Approved in 3 Easy Steps!
Schedule a telemedicine appointment with us by calling (833)253-2943 or click here to schedule an appointment online.
Meet with our certified marijuana doctors virtually via phone or computer to discuss your medical records and history.
Once you get the doctor’s approval, you can receive your recommendation from the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy and get your medical marijuana treatment!
What are the Best Strains for Chronic Pain?
Once you have your medical marijuana card, you can access Louisiana pharmacies 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 or ask your pharmacist about:
White Widow
Girl Scout Cookies
Blue Dream
Granddaddy Purple
Jack Herer
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping 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.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Louisiana 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 Louisiana!