Chronic pain is the number one medical condition that patients use medical marijuana for. This statistic alone shows us not only that medical marijuana is a safe and effective way to treat chronic pain but also that there are so many people dealing with this condition every day.
Chronic pain is just that, it is chronic; meaning it doesn’t go away. Once you are diagnosed with chronic pain, you will have to learn how to manage that pain. Those with chronic pain can absolutely still lead fulfilling lives! But the key to living that life is finding the treatment plan that is right for you.
Here at West Virginia 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 West Virginia. Join our community and stay in the know by reading our blog!
In today’s blog, 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 dispensary that best aid chronic pain!
Chronic Pain:
Having an informed mindset is the first step to figuring out if medical marijuana is right for you. Let’s get into a little more detail about what this condition really is.
Usually when your body goes through an injury or illness, pain comes 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 a struggle. This can take a toll on your emotional and mental health as well. Many people with chronic pain 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. 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.
Scientists have suggested 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 which 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 extremely important!
The Types of Chronic Pain
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 create 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.
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 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. Here are some of the most common symptoms that those with chronic pain experience:
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?
Thankfully, chronic pain has been one of the most rigorously studied medical conditions in relation to medical marijuana! This is great news for those who suffer from chronic pain as they can turn to the research to show that medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment.
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 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 their opioid usage by an average of 64% and decreased the side effects of other medications.
Chronic Pain and the Endocannabinoid System:
So how does marijuana treat chronic pain in the body? Let’s look a little deeper at the science behind the marijuana plant and the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for maintaining balance within the body. 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 back balance in the ECS when medical conditions knock it off balance.
The cannabinoids in marijuana are what help treat chronic pain! CBD, in particular, has been a strain of marijuana that many chronic pain patients have found refuge in because CBD is best known for its pain relieving properties!
How Can I Get a Medical Marijuana Card?
You can get your medical marijuana card in West Virginia if you have chronic pain or any other qualifying condition! 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia via a driver license or state ID card. We can help you with all of this!
Get Approved in 3 Easy Steps!
Schedule a telemedicine appointment with us by calling (877) 303-8424 or book an appointment online.
Meet with one of our certified medical marijuana doctors and discuss your condition.
With the doctor's approval, you will register with the state, receive your medical card, and have access to West Virginia dispensaries!
What are the Best Strains for Chronic Pain?
Once you have your medical marijuana card, you can purchase your medical marijuana treatment at any dispensary in West Virginia which will be open by the end of the summer!
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:
White Widow
Girl Scout Cookies
Blue Dream
Granddaddy Purple
Jack Herer
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission 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 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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