Medical Marijuana Treatment for Pain Management

Chronic pain is a serious health issue, affecting more than 20% of adults in the United States. This type of ongoing pain affects a person’s ability to live a full and active life, often leading to other health problems like opioid dependence and poor mental health. 

Adults in the US with chronic pain are turning to medical marijuana to get relief, and they report their use of medical marijuana improves their pain, boosts their mood, and decreases their need for other pain medications like opioids.

At Legacy Health and Wellness Clinic, our skilled preventive care physician, Dr. Ifeoma Ogbonna, is a registered medical marijuana provider for Texas’ Compassionate Use Program (CUP). We understand the risks and benefits of medical marijuana and provide prescriptions for patients who qualify.

Here, we want to talk about medical marijuana for pain management.

Treating pain

Pain is an uncomfortable sensation your body uses as a signal to let you know something is wrong. Pain is good because it makes you aware of injuries and illnesses that need immediate attention. But pain is complex and affects everyone differently.

Your nervous system is always learning and adapting. Unfortunately, the nervous system may not always adapt in a positive manner. People with chronic pain may have a nervous system that makes them more sensitive to painful sensations. 

Pain affects the body and mind, which is why it’s hard for so many to find an effective treatment. 

Medical marijuana for pain management

Many people use medical marijuana to control pain. Marijuana contains chemicals called cannabinoids, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Some of the most researched chemicals in marijuana include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 

Though we’re still learning about the ECS, researchers theorize that it’s a messaging system that influences the function of your nervous and immune system and may regulate mood, appetite, and pain.

The chemicals in medical marijuana may alter pain signals in the ECS (reducing your pain sensitivity level) and reduce inflammation. 

In Texas, we only prescribe low-THC medical marijuana in oral form. This type of medical marijuana contains no more than 0.5% THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that causes the mind-altering effects. Low-THC may reduce pain without making you high. 

Is medical marijuana right for you?

Medical marijuana benefits many people and many conditions, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. 

We only recommend medical marijuana for patients with a qualifying condition who fail to get relief from their symptoms with traditional medical treatments and when the benefits of use far outweigh the potential risks.

Some of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use in Texas include:

• Terminal cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Incurable neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease)

If you have chronic pain from one of the qualifying conditions and can’t get relief from traditional pain treatments, you might benefit from medical marijuana. 

Call our office in Cedar Hill or Austin, Texas, or book an appointment online today. We can even meet through telehealth to discuss medical marijuana use for your pain.