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Get a West Virginia Marijuana Card for Intractable Spasticity

What is Intractable Spasticity?

Spasticity is a condition that causes muscles to stiffen or tighten, preventing regular fluid movement. 

 

Intractable spasticity is incurable and difficult to treat, and it is often diagnosed as a result of an underlying condition such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury.  

 

Intractable spasticity is a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in West Virginia.

What are the Symptoms of Intractable Spasticity?

Intractable spasticity can cause problems with movement, speech, and gait, and with a more severe diagnosis, can cause involuntary muscle spasms and painfully tight muscles. 

 

Most commonly, symptoms are present in muscles that support the standing position, such as the back, feet, calves, groin, and thighs. 

 

 Symptoms of intractable spasticity can include: 

 

 

  • Involuntary crossing of legs

  • Muscle fatigue

  • Muscle or joint deformities

  • Muscle spasms

  • Muscle stiffness

  • Problems with speech, movement, or gait

 

 

Intractable spasticity can range from mild to severe, and if left untreated can lead to more severe painful muscles and joint problems. 

 

Spasticity is rooted in an imbalance from the central nervous system, which is typically found in cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or strokes. 

How is Intractable Spasticity Treated?

While there are available treatment options to help reduce or improve spasticity, unfortunately there is no universal cure and often treatments will be assessed based on the needs of the patient. 

 

There are a range of treatments for intractable spasticity available, including traditional pharmaceuticals, physical therapy programs, muscle stretching and range of motion exercises, as well local injections of Botox. 

 

Surgery may be an option for some patients, and there is also the option to implant a baclofen pump to deliver baclofen directly into the spinal fluid. 

 

Muscle relaxers, benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and opioids are often prescribed alongside treatments to help relieve tension temporarily, though caution is suggested when taking narcotics long term due to addiction and overdose problems. 

Can Medical Marijuana Help with Intractable Spasticity?

Studies have shown that medical marijuana has a strong ability to help reduce inflammation, improve nerve pain, and often medical marijuana is looked at as a powerful alternative to harmful opioids and narcotics. 

 

Although medical marijuana cannot cure intractable spasticity, it may help with the pain that is associated with spasticity and can be especially effective as an alternative to the more volatile painkillers and narcotics that are often prescribed for intractable spasticity. 

 

Studies are limited, but they suggest that medical marijuana may help to improve pain or symptoms of spasticity, and anecdotally, over half of patients who use medical marijuana for spasticity report improvements in their condition. 

 

Reduced pain, or reduced perception of pain, is also heavily linked to medical cannabis. Reduction in pain alone can be a life changer for patients with intractable spasticity, and without the harmful side effects of traditional narcotics, cannabis can be a viable and safer option for those seeking long term improvement. 

Get West Virginia Medical Marijuana for Intractable Spasticity

Intractable spasticity is an approved condition for West Virginia medical marijuana. While the condition is often a lifelong and tumultuous experience, many patients have found natural relief with cannabis as an alternative medicine. 

  

There’s no better time than now to become a medical marijuana patient in West Virginia, and our staff of qualified Doctors can be reached at 877-303-8424 to help answer any questions you may have about getting West Virginia marijuana for chronic pain.

Get Your West Virginia Medical Marijuana Card
in Four Easy Steps!

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Step 1

Schedule a telemedicine appointment by calling us at (877) 303-8424.

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Step 2  
Meet virtually with one of our certified physicians through telemedicine to discuss your medical history.
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Step 3

 With the doctor's approval, you'll receive your recommendation for a West Virginia medical marijuana card!

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Online Today!

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