The therapeutic benefits of marijuana have been gaining mainstream attention in recent years. But it’s been valued for its medicinal properties since around 400 AD, and there are good reasons why.
Our team at Metro Pain Centers offers a variety of innovative and effective pain management solutions at each of our offices. If you’ve tried traditional anti-inflammatory and pain medications in the past without success, it could be time to explore medical marijuana.
What sets medical marijuana apart
Each year, more states join the growing list of locations where you can legally use marijuana for medical purposes. However, this medical plant has been around for more than 5,000 years. What sets it apart as a therapeutic medicine is the cannabinoid compounds it contains, like CBD and THC.
CBD
This chemical, formally known as cannabidiol, works specifically with the pain receptors in your brain, providing relief from both pain and inflammation.
THC
THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, which is what most people associate with marijuana. This chemical produces a euphoric state of mind — the “high” you can get from this plant. However, it also activates the award centers in your brain, which reduces pain.
When using marijuana in medicine, our team can recommend specific combinations and formulas of CBD and THC. This approach enables us to harness this plant’s medicinal properties to manage a wide range of health conditions, including chronic pain.
The therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana
Because of how the cannabinoid compounds in cannabis interact with your brain receptors, medical marijuana can provide numerous benefits without many side effects. It’s also a safe and effective pain management solution, even if you’re unable to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like Advil® or Aleve®.
Plus, medical marijuana is far less habit-forming than medications like opioids, yet more effective for pain management. In fact, 81% of people who have used medical marijuana report that cannabis is far more effective when used alone than in combination with opioid drugs. And, in that same study, 97% said they could decrease their opioid use while taking medical marijuana.
When to consider medical marijuana
Our team recommends medical marijuana for a wide range of conditions, especially when you haven’t found relief from conservative therapies in the past.
Specific issues that respond positively to medical marijuana include:
- Muscle spasms
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Peripheral or diabetic neuropathy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Joint pain
- Cancer pain
To determine if you’re a good candidate, we perform a comprehensive evaluation and ensure you’re in good health. If you have a qualifying condition, our team can guide you through the paperwork required to obtain a medical marijuana card in your state.
And, rest easy! If you aren’t a good candidate for medical marijuana, we have other options to help you find the pain relief you need.
To see if medical marijuana is right for you, contact one of our convenient Metro Pain Centers in New Jersey or New York by calling or requesting an appointment online today.
