{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/back-pain/3","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1903-markdown","title":"Clinical Trials Support the Use of Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain","slug":"clinical-trials-support-the-use-of-medical-marijuana-for-chronic-pain","content":"Chronic pain occurs in over [20 percent of the\r\npopulation](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20089155). It differs\r\nfrom what medical professionals refer to as acute pain, which is a\r\nnormal nervous system sensation designed to alert an individual of an\r\ninjury or ailment. Chronic pain is persistent and untraceable to any one\r\ninjury or illness. The pain signals fire repeatedly over months, years,\r\nor even a lifetime. Finding effective ways to help chronic pain\r\nsufferers can change lives.\r\n\r\nConditions Associated with Chronic Pain\r\n---------------------------------------\r\n\r\nA\r\n[survey](http://www.painmed.org/PatientCenter/Facts_on_Pain.aspx# common)\r\nconducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics found that\r\nchronic pain usually falls into one of four categories:\r\n\r\n-   Lower back pain\r\n-   Migraines or headaches\r\n-   Neck pain\r\n-   Facial ache\r\n\r\nBack pain is responsible for more disability cases in the U.S. then any\r\nother medical problem.\r\n\r\nCurrent Pain Management\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nPain management techniques vary, but are largely inadequate. The common\r\ntreatment protocols that include over-the-counter NSAIDS, like\r\nibuprofen, or prescription narcotics, such as Percocet, are rife with\r\nside effects. Everything from stroke to heart attack to drug dependence\r\ncan be caused by current pain control options.\r\n\r\nReview of Randomized Control Trials for Medical Marijuana\r\n---------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nA [2011 study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3243008/)\r\npublished in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology evaluated 22\r\nrandomized controlled trials that focused on the use of cannabinoids to\r\ntreat non-cancer pain. The systematic review highlighted the use of\r\nsmoked cannabis, oromucosal cannabis extacts, nabilone and dronabinol\r\n(synthetic THC medications), and a novel THC analogue in the treatment\r\nof conditions associated with long-term pain. The review looked at 766\r\nparticipants.\r\n\r\nReviewers identified 18 out of the 22 trials showed cannabis offered an\r\nanalgesic effect for pain suffers.\r\n\r\n-   15 for neuropathic pain\r\n-   1 for fibromyalgia\r\n-   1 for rheumatoid arthritis\r\n-   1 associated with opioid use\r\n-   2 for mixed chronic pain such as muscular conditions or migraines\r\n\r\nThe researchers also noted that there were no serious side effects\r\nreported with the use of medical marijuana in these trials. A few\r\nparticipants reported a feeling of sedation, dizziness, and dry mouth.\r\nThat is far fewer side effects than what patients experience with more\r\nmainstream management options for chronic pain. With one in every five\r\npeople in the world suffering from some kind of chronic pain, this\r\nstudy's findings an almost 80% positive outcome are not to be ignored.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/117032936@N08/13941837114/in/photolist-neZyrY-dzssam-apx2dR-dCTGDF-ci5bJb-ci59x5-5pZXhd-2JJery-ci57jo-dUe3ca-ci5bZ7-7bESoK-rcsZV8-niWc1Q-n8TLTa-o35Vu9-4xTPGd-ffrbHA-j1ptNv-rvMeJ4-21JdMY-6NPs4U-5YF21f-nLE3MP-2wBhsc-nwqnF6-9VPava-4TgyZY-6z41Ws-9WhKA1-7rszrG-5wojUp-4rFGhL-7rorbK-inMHoy-cHXC1Y-8Rvugs-7roBEr-rQzJkp-5wsDUA-vF9xvC-apx22K-91E2xK-ch2PNj-8R4TEk-5wsE1y-dUe3gt-e4MbmQ-fFxaYR-4nerJc)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAALABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwABAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwABBP/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oADAMBAAIQAxAAAAFg1o54Y//EABsQAAMAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAREiEi/9oACAEBAAEFAie6pvDNFI9UI4pc6b//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQEf/aAAgBAwEBPwGn/8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEP/aAAgBAgEBPwE//8QAGRAAAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERIUFx/9oACAEBAAY/AjGQkQyqFw//xAAZEAEBAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhMXH/2gAIAQEAAT8hHq8TyaGnaWm8ofruxaEhikeDIIc//9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABBIP//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAf/aAAgBAwEBPxDYV//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEAAf/aAAgBAgEBPxAY2//EABsQAQEBAAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAERACExQVFh/9oACAEBAAE/EGXbGIqtvznLGhAKTvzrKgvcw1oXyIHGWGFCeZaYT7+u/9k=","aspectRatio":1.7699115044247788,"src":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f422e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f836f/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 200w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/2244e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 400w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f422e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 640w","srcWebp":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/991d2/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/61e93/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 200w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/1f5c5/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 400w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/991d2/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 640w","sizes":"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1861-markdown","title":"Chronic Pain has Met its Match","slug":"chronic-pain-has-met-its-match","content":"Pain is our body's way of letting us know that we are in danger of\r\ninjury or illness. For those who suffer from chronic pain, which is\r\ndefined by the [National Institutes of Health\r\n(NIH)](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18602869) as pain lasting more\r\nthan 12 weeks, their pain is not a message of threat but a permanent\r\ncondition of heightened stress.\r\n\r\nFor as long as people have suffered from pain, they have sought relief.\r\nIn fact, marijuana has been used for pain relief for centuries. Cannabis\r\nhas been used as an\r\n[analgesic](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)\r\nand an\r\n[anti-inflammatory](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/)\r\nin treating pain for more than 3000 years. But it has only been in the\r\npast 20 years that researchers have begun studying and understanding how\r\ncannabis can help those in pain.\r\n\r\nResearch on Cannabis and Pain\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nOne of the components of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),\r\nhas been shown to successfully [block the cannabinoid\r\nreceptors](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/) in the\r\nbody. These receptors, which are responsible for maintaining homeostasis\r\nfunction in pain circuits, help to cycle the stimulus from the pain\r\nreceptors. They also play a role in\r\n[inflammation](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9539680) by\r\ninteracting with the cannabinoid receptors. THC can interrupt the\r\ninflammatory process, which helps decrease pain.\r\n\r\nCanada Leads the Way\r\n--------------------\r\n\r\nCanada has led the way in using medical marijuana for treating pain.\r\nThey have approved the use of cannabis for treating severe pain in\r\npatients with:\r\n\r\n-   Spinal cord injuries or disease\r\n-   Multiple sclerosis\r\n-   Cancer\r\n-   Arthritis\r\n-   HIV/AIDS infections\r\n\r\nMore recently, researchers have found that smoking cannabis can reduce\r\nneuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain affects about [1 to 2\r\npercent](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15106126) of the population\r\nand frequently does not respond to traditional pain treatment. The\r\nresearchers found that inhaling THC reduced the \"intensity of pain,\r\nimproved sleep and was well tolerated.\" They recommend additional\r\nstudies on safety and long-term efficacy.\r\n\r\nCannabis: Providing Options\r\n---------------------------\r\n\r\nThe [NIH](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92525/# ch1.s3) estimates\r\nthat about 116 million American adults suffer from chronic pain. It is\r\nthe leading cause of disability in the United States and accounts for\r\nmore than [\\$635 billion a\r\nyear](http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(12)00559-7/pdf) in\r\neconomic costs. This cost is greater than the annual costs of heart\r\ndisease, cancer, and diabetes combined.\r\n\r\nThe prevalence and cost highlight the need for treatment alternatives.\r\nThis has helped spur research into cannabis as a pain medication.\r\nAlthough further study is needed with regard to its effects on specific\r\nconditions and methods of delivery, medical marijuana is a viable\r\ntreatment for the millions who suffer from chronic pain.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortcollinschiropractor/6169824540/in/photolist-apcXTb-apadLP-4RBu2V-2VFqqo-6v9jvw-bnCWQc-paXyJZ-5oy7wS-6VRbxR-9fCHpB-5ZpQdM-8jEGNr-5oRUGd-9fCFdH-9iETrp-79i8Qk-akp7Fe-jnZ6Ze-9iEUpK-5Zq6jr-5Zv6iA-7dk12z-2jyrDf-fFEii2-AZLt3-5ZuHv5-rRY8f-86PTqn-r8hK4-8vhatN-5Zvbed-B5MJS-9fFNSy-5ZpQve-5Zu3s7-m2SE6-9bbFED-a3fh8Q-5Zu3uh-5Zu3kA-5Zu3qd-9f2pg5-y52nK-95h1pT-56N6kH-apadQD-rRY8j-8DSENZ-8kmtpc-8C1K1c)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/14b42/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/f836f/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 200w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/2244e/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 400w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/14b42/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 800w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/9842e/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 900w","srcWebp":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/58556/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/61e93/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 200w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/1f5c5/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 400w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/58556/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 800w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/210c1/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 900w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1877-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana May Reduce Opioid Use for Back Pain Sufferers","slug":"medical-marijuana-may-reduce-opioid-use-for-back-pain-sufferers","content":"Pain can be debilitating. More than [half of Americans say they live with chronic or recurring pain](http://www.painmed.org/patientcenter/cost-of-pain-to-businesses/), and general back pain—lower back pain, back spasms and/or sciatica—is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \n\nBack pain can be defined as either acute, in which the patient recovers in six to eight weeks, or chronic, when someone experiences episodes of acute pain three or more times a year. Both chronic and acute back pain can interfere with everyday activities such as walking, sitting and sleeping. Both often result in missed days of work—chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability claims. \n\n### Over-the-Counter & Prescription Back Pain Medication\n\nNearly half of those with back pain have suffered some type of trauma, but medicine still has little to offer as a solution. The most common treatments are over-the-counter medications, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Unfortunately, NSAIDs can have side effects such as nausea, ulcers and stomach upset. Plus, they're often not strong enough to combat serious pain.\nWhen NSAIDs aren’t enough, doctors may prescribe opioids, such as hydrocodone, to address the pain. [Long-term opioid use is problematic—it can lead to addiction as well as anxiety, depression, insomnia and other problems](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/narcotic-pain-medications#2). Unfortunately, for those with serious pain, there have been few other options available. This is changing though with the legalization of medical marijuana in many states.\n\n### Cannabis Is Safer Than Opioids & Just as Effective\n\nResearchers have known since the 1970s that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabinoid found in marijuana, is effective for many types of pain. And even recent studies show that [THC reduces pain and improves sleep without any serious adverse effects](http://www.cmaj.ca/content/182/14/E694.full.pdf). However, due to cannabis’s classification as a Schedule 1 drug, research has been stifled. But with the march towards legalizing medical marijuana, research has picked up and the general takeaway is that marijuana is extremely effective for reducing pain.\n\nRELATED: [BEST MARIJUANA STRAINS FOR BACK PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57e1803d16ce30000b06ba0a/top-6-marijuana-strains-for-back-pain) \n\nCannabis appears to be as effective as—if not more effective than—routinely prescribed opioids—but without the side effects. A 2013 study by the University of Colorado found that nearly 90% of participants gained relief from their back pain with the use of cannabis, and 81% said it was effective as traditional painkillers. A study published this year by the drug company Ameritox concluded that 36% of marijuana users who also had a prescription for hydrocodone failed to take it, compared to only 27% of non-marijuana users. While it decried this failure as \"medication non-compliance,\" the positive point is that [36% of cannabis users no longer felt the need to take an opioid drug to relieve their pain](http://www.ameritox.com/wp-content/uploads/Ananalysisoftheassociationbetweenmarijuanauseandpotentialnonadherence_AAPM2013.pdf).\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/14b42/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/f836f/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.jpg 200w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/2244e/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.jpg 400w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/14b42/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.jpg 800w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/16310/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/58556/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/61e93/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.webp 200w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/1f5c5/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.webp 400w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/58556/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.webp 800w,\n/static/7e34c68877ff96cc3e145c1805ba07f4/cc834/f8b895d100570311a6c6ad333646dd9b.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":24,"numPages":3,"currentPage":3,"id":4983,"name":"Back Pain","slug":"back-pain","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}