Can Medical Cannabis Treatment Work for Back Pain?
Evidence shows that medicinal cannabis has been used as an effective treatment for pain, as well as providing therapeutic benefits to help manage anxiety and insomnia. An estimated 2.5 million people experience back pain every day in the UK, whilst treating it costs the NHS more than £1 billion a year. [1]
It is one of the most common complaints which forces patients to visit their GP.
These statistics show that there are millions of people living in the UK, suffering from back pain presenting in mild or acute forms without sufficient medication or alternative remedies. What many people do not know is that potentially using medicinal cannabis may help alleviate the pain in a natural form, as opposed to insufficient addictive opioids.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often the go-to drugs for back pain relief can be purchased over the counter (or, in higher doses, by prescription) and include ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). [2] This form of medication can come with nasty side effects, and according to the NHS website can include:
Indigestion, diarrhoea, stomach aches, nausea, stomach ulcers, drowsiness and in more rare serious cases: heart failure. [3]
Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, is a new and relatively understudied treatment for pain. Studies suggest it may help relieve inflammation, which is often a factor in chronic back pain. [4] Unlike prescription drugs, it has little to no side effects. This can be ingested by oils or by using topical creams directly on the problem area, some have shown promising results for inflammation and neuropathy, which may make them a good option for back and neck pain. [4]
The link between back pain and insomnia
The vicious cycle of pain preventing you from a good night’s sleep can result in low mood and energy. Medicinal cannabis has also been known to help combat insomnia so if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone, it might just be your answer. According to research studies undertaken by Health Europa, they ran a trial including 72 patients using a 25mg CBD pill:
79.2% of all the participants said that CBD resulted in lower levels of anxiety; and
66.7% of all the participants said that CBD gave them a better sleep experience. [5]
At CINV, we strongly believe in seeking alternative therapy to treat ailments such as back pain and being a part of the movement to uncover new developments in cannabis research.
If you enjoyed this blog and would like to learn about how medicinal cannabis has been successfully used as a treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, please visit: https://www.cinvcorp.com/spotlight-on-rheumatoid-arthritis/
Bibliography
1. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20181009/Survey-25-million-people-experience-back-pain-every-day-in-the-UK.aspx
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/
4. https://www.spine health.com/treatment/alternative-care/understanding-cbd-cannabidiol-back-pain
5. https://www.healtheuropa.eu/do-you-think-cbd-can-help-you-sleep-better/95200/
