Written by: Steven M. Evans, DO
Director of Non-operative Services
There have been significant advances over the past few years with the use of Medical Marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain.
I have been certifying patients for Medical Marijuana for over 2 years. Many of the chronic pain patients I care for are enthusiastic about their results. I have seen many positive outcomes and few negative outcomes in the patients that are under my care. Many patients have reduced or completely stopped relying on opiates for pain control. Many patients have also been able to eliminate anti-anxiety and sleep medications.
Medical Marijuana products allow for:
• Better Sleep
• Less Anxiety
• Less Bothered by Physical Issues Generating Pain
I also have seen patients abandon the use of anti-depressants because they don’t need them anymore (although this is not a recognized indication for Medical Marijuana use). Spouses report that their partners are more pleasant.
The most surprisingly positive results are in patients over the age of 80. I have some patients in their late 80s and early 90s who tell me they haven’t felt as good as they feel on their Medical Marijuana products in years (often fairly highly concentrated THC products). Several older patients have told me that they feel younger, more active and more energetic since finding the right Medical Marijuana product and its appropriate dose.
These results will not be the same for all people. However, I have seen very little in the way of negative side effects. When patients don’t feel comfortable with some aspect of their Medical Marijuana experience, it is generally because of the wrong dose or the wrong product.
CBD and THC
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two most widely known of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabisare. Manipulating the ratio of these canniboids represents the way in which most people select a product that is appropriate for their needs.
Medical Marijuana Consultations
At Keystone Spine and Pain Management Center, we offer Medical Marijuana consultations. A certification appointment includes an evaluation of what product might be best for the individual patient in their particular circumstance. It also includes a discussion of various resources available to help you get the optimal product at the optimal dose.
Treatment with Medical Marijuana is an active and evolving area of medicine and there will likely be more information and more targeted products in the near future.
Medical Marijuana can be a very good option to compliment standard pain management practices. When used in conjunction with other pain management practices, often times, chronic pain patients can have an improved quality of life with less risk.
The value of Medical Marijuana as a complimentary treatment to help patients who’s lives are severely and negatively affected by chronic pain has been one of the most gratifying discoveries of my 34 year medical career.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss Medical Marijuana, please call the office at (484)509-0840.