BACK PAIN + CANNABIS

BY HEATHER DEROSE

Pain is the body’s way of alarming something isn’t right. Whether it is because of disease or injury, pain is the most common reason people seek medical assistance. Pain has many causes and affects everyone differently, which can be problematic to treat. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most people have back pain at least once.” 1 Common symptoms of back pain include muscle aches, shooting or stabbing pain, pain that radiates down the legs, pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking, and pain that improves with reclining. Back pain occurring suddenly, without previous symptoms, and lasting less than six weeks is considered acute back pain and is typically caused by a fall or heavy lifting. Less common is back pain lasting longer than three months, which is considered chronic. Oftentimes, back pain is caused by a muscle ligament or strain, bulging or ruptured discs in the spine, arthritis, skeletal irregularities, and osteoporosis. Developing back pain is more common with older age; lack of exercise, excess weight, diseases such as arthritis and cancer, improper lifting, psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression, and smoking can all increase the risk.

Although a number of factors are involved with developing back pain, there are measures to help prevent pain occurring such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, lifting properly, and quitting smoking cigarettes. To assess back pain, a doctor will examine a patient’s ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift the legs. Other tests including x-ray, MRI or CT scans, blood tests, bone scans, and nerve studies can provide results to learn more about the complex condition, which affects everyone differently and needs to be treated individually.

PERIPHERAL NERVES THAT DETECT PAIN SENSATIONS CONTAIN ABUNDANT RECEPTORS FOR CANNABINOIDS

Many people suffering from back pain treat their symptoms with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, such as Aleve. These OTC pain relievers come with a side effect list, which includes death. More commonly, “NSAIDs are responsible for 3% to 10% of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) cases in the Western world.” 2 Muscle relaxants are another option to relieve symptoms, but include side effects such as sleepiness and dizziness. Other options for patients include temporary narcotic drugs, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, antidepressants, and injections. Many of these options aim to relieve pain by reducing inflammation and provide relaxation to reduce discomfort, which is why many are finding relief with cannabis. Cannabis works within the body’s ECS to aid in inflammation and relieve pain naturally, without harmful and deadly side effects.

One study evaluated pain and its symptoms in patients with failed back surgery syndrome refractory to other therapies, in associated with spinal cord stimulation. The study results indicate that cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, can have remarkable analgesic capabilities for these individuals. 3 “Associations between medical cannabis and prescription opioid use in chronic pain patients: A preliminary cohort study” found “the clinically and statistically significant evidence of an association between medical cannabis program enrollment and opioid prescription cessation and reductions and improved quality of life warrants further investigations on cannabisas a potential alternative to prescription opioids for treating chronic pain.” 4 People all around the world are sharing their stories about using cannabis to reduce or eliminate their opioid intake. Doctors in some states are allowed to write cannabis recommendations for a chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to physical or psychological dependence. A physician can write a recommendation after determining medical use of cannabis could be effective in treating the condition and would serve as a safer alternative to prescription medication. Many have seen the difference, and science shows how the cannabinoids are working within each person’s ECS to provide pain relief. “Cannabinoids have shown significant promise in basic experiments on pain. Peripheral nerves that detect pain sensations contain abundant receptors for cannabinoids, and cannabinoids appear to block peripheral nerve pain in experimental animals.” 5

Education on the importance of staying active, reducing stress and worry, and learning how to avoid injury are the top ways to prevent back pain, but the treatment options range from physical therapy and exercise to surgery, depending on the severity. There is not a commonly accepted program to teach people with back pain how to manage their symptoms effectively, so it’s not surprising patients and doctors are interested in learning more about how cannabis can help. Many people are choosing cannabis over a prescription with a list of side effects because knowledge about the plant's ability to help people suffering from chronic pain and regain some quality of life, is quickly spreading. Cannabis continues showing promising results on a variety of conditions, including pain, which is why we need to share education and stories for the laws to change. This plant has the potential to help so many people and should be widely accessible to study and available in hospitals and for emergency responders.