Chronic Pain The Most Common Reason Patients Seek Medical Marijuana

February 14, 2019 / Thomas Cohn, MD

A new study found that chronic pain was the most common reason why individuals in state-approved medical marijuana programs turned to cannabis to help with their health condition.

The study looked at data from 15 states who have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. Here’s a look at the top three reasons why people turned to medical marijuana:

Chronic Pain
Stitfness related to Multiple Sclerosis
Chemotherapy-related nausea

“The majority of patients for whom we have data are using cannabis for reasons where the science is the strongest,” said lead author Kevin Boehnke of the University of Michigan.

Marijuana For Chronic Pain

More than 30 states allow the use of medical marijuana, but the conditions that are eligible for the product vary from state to state. For example, Minnesota allows medical marijuana to be used to alleviate symptoms from conditions like glaucoma, chronic pain, PTSD, seizures and much more. They are always evaluating which conditions meet the requirements, and Minnesota will add Alzheimer’s Disease to the list of approved conditions in July of this year.

When taking a closer look at the study results, researchers found that about two-thirds of the roughly 730,000 reasons listed for taking medical marijuana were related to chronic pain. Since patients could report more than one pain condition, researchers say the figure may be a little over-inflated, but it still speaks to how many people are looking for a better way to deal with their chronic pain condition.

“Cannabis is the first thing I’ve found that actually makes the pain go away and not leave me so high that I can’t enjoy my day,” said Brandian Smith, 37, of Illinois, who takes medical marijuana for her fibromyalgia.

Researchers also noted that in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Oregon, there was a noticeable decline in medical marijuana patients after those states legalized recreational marijuana. Currently there are about two million people in the United States who use medical marijuana for their pain condition.

Is you need help managing your pain condition, set up an appointment with a pain specialist like Dr. Cohn.

How Regular Exercise Keeps Your Body Young

December 27, 2018 / Thomas Cohn, MD

New research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology revealed that regular exercise can have your muscles acting as if you are decades younger than your actual age.

According to researchers, older men and women who exercised regularly for decades had muscles that were indistinguishable in many ways from the muscles of healthy 25-year-olds. These older men and women also had much higher aerobic capacities than most individuals their age, making them biologically about 30 years younger than their chronological age, the study’s authors conclude.

Previous studies have found that older athletes have healthier muscles, brains and immune systems than individuals of the same age who are sedentary. However, those studies have concentrated on competitive athletes, not recreational exercisers. This study suggests that you don’t need to be a professional athlete to see many of the same benefits of regular exercise.

Exercise Study

For the study, researchers looked at the health of individuals who took up regular exercise during the fitness boom of the 1970’s. They were most interested in individuals who maintained that hobby through the next 40-50 years, with activities like running, cycling, jogging or swimming, even if they never competed in these activities.

28 men and women fit the bill, and they were compared to a second group of age-matched older individuals who had not exercised during adulthood, as well as compared to a third group of active young people in their 20s.

Each group was tested in a lab setting to measure their aerobic capacities, and tissue samples were also taken to look for the number of capillaries and levels of enzymes in muscles. The higher the numbers, the better the muscle health.

After looking at the findings, researchers were surprised to find that the muscles of the older exercisers resembled the muscles of the young group, and their aerobic capacities were about 40 percent higher than inactive individuals their age. They also concluded that the active older group had cardiovascular health similar to that of people about 30 years younger.

These findings are amazing, and they help us understand why regular exercise is so important. Exercise can literally roll back the clock and slow down the aging process, which can help prevent problems like pain or degeneration-related issues. So take care of your health while you’re young, and continue exercising as you get older. If you do this regularly, you can prove that age really is nothing more than a number, and we are in control of our health!

Can Using A Sauna Be Considered Exercise?

December 4, 2018 / Thomas Cohn, MD

sauna Scandinavians have had healthy lifestyles for centuries. One of their traditions has been saunas, often followed by the quick jump into the snow bank or into a cold lake. New research published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that frequent sauna use can have the same effect on the body as regular exercise. Yes, sitting in a sauna is similar to a workout. To be beneficial like exercise, however, it has to be done about five times a week. Occasional saunas do not have a benefit.

How Saunas Simulate Exercise

A typical sauna is heated upwards of 175 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. Spending five to twenty minutes in the sauna will normally get the heart rate to increase to 120 to 150 beats a minute. This is the same range that the heart would beat at when exercising moderately. At the same time that the heart rate increases, blood flow also increases to the skin, and that is an important factor seen in cardiovascular exercise.

The health benefits of sauna baths were studied in Finland. In the people who frequently used saunas, the same benefits of exercise were noted. These people had a 60 percent decease in heart disease and stroke. There was also evidence of improvements in other diseases such as some pulmonary conditions, arthritis, headaches and the flu. Direct findings included decreased blood pressure and decreased artery stiffness.

The effects of frequent sauna sauna use are the same as aerobic exercise. For those with pain and difficulty walking or exercising, the use of a sauna may have a significant benefit to improve cardiovascular fitness. The extreme heat forces increased heart rates and peripheral vascular flow. Since this is pushing your heart rate up, starting a sauna routine should involve the same cautions as an exercise program. Make sure that your heart can tolerate the increased heart rate and the extra work. Consult your physician and get approval to be exercising before you start using a sauna. Other precautions include drink plenty of water and do not drink alcohol.

For more information about using a sauna for your pain condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

The Amazing Benefits of Tai Chi

November 26, 2018 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition, and today it is practiced as a form of exercise. It is a series of postures and slow movements accompanied by deep breathing. Consider it a gentle form of physical exercise and stretching. It involves constant motion, moving from one posture to another without pause. It is safe for all ages including the elderly, and the low-impact movements put minimal stress on muscles and joints.

The Basics of Tai Chi

Tai Chi has many forms. There are forms that are more typical of martial arts, performed for competitive purposes, and there is the general version that is often practiced for its personal health beenfits. There have been five main family styles of Tai Chi, and all seem to based on the Chen style dating back to the 1600’s. Now, classes in Tai Chi are performed mostly for those interested in the combination of physical and mental health benefits. Movements emphasize a straight spine and natural range of motion of muscles and joints. There is also a seated form of Tai Chi that includes most of the traditional components of the art.

The health benefits of Tai Chi have been studied in a number of conditions, and has been generally accepted as beneficial in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, and for general chronic pain. Once the techniques are learned, no special equipment, place or clothing is needed to practice the art. The exercises are especially good for lower body strength to improve posture, promote overall flexibility, and for the awareness of balance and position of the body in space. The goals are to minimize stress on painful areas and to foster improved circulation, relief and healing.

The studies done around the world have shown benefit, especially for those who have chronic pain. Exercise in general has been shown to be beneficial. Studies specifically with regards to Tai Chi have shown better outcomes with pain control for Fibromyalgia than with more traditional exercise like aerobic conditioning or swimming. The concentration on slow balanced movements and breathing does especially well for all aspects of improving physical abilities of those who have chronic pain.

Classes for those wanting to learn Tai Chi are easily found. Many senior centers, larger health clubs and YMCAs have programs and classes. Once the movements are learned, one can continue with group programs or perform the art on their own. Since no equipment, special space or clothing is needed, only a commitment to improve oneself is necessary. If you have chronic pain and are looking for an activity to improve fitness, Tai Chi may be beneficial.

Complementary Approaches Beneficial For Chronic Pain Patients

October 26, 2018 / Thomas Cohn, MD

New research out of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York found that complementary treatment approaches can help curb pain and in some instances reduce the need for opioids in patients with chronic pain.

“Opioid misuse and addiction are a major public health issue in the United States, and approximately 70 percent of individuals who use opioids on a long-term basis have a musculoskeletal disorder, such as low back pain or arthritis,” said Maggie Wimmer, coordinator of Programs and Outcomes, Public and Patient Education at HSS. “To address this epidemic, Hospital for Special Surgery implemented a Pain and Stress Management program in its orthopedic clinic to enhance patient knowledge and encourage complementary practices as alternatives to medication.”

For the study, the center recruited 122 participants and asked them to participate in a couple different meditation techniques. Patients took part in a monthly in-person meditation workshop and a weekly meditation conference call where they practiced mindful breathing techniques and other meditation activities. Patients also completed a monthly survey on a number of factors, including pain and stress levels, their understanding of complementary medical approaches and how often they practiced the techniques in their own time.

Study Findings

After analyzing the data, researchers uncovered:

98 percent of patients said they were satisfied with the program.
95 percent said the program increased their understanding of complementary treatments and how they can help manage pain and stress.
93 percent said they would recommend the program to others.
1 in 3 patients reported using alternative techniques five or more times in the previous week in place of medication, and 11 percent used the techniques three or four times in place of medication.
More than 50 percent of participants reported that their mindful breathing techniques helped them manage their stress and chronic pain.
During monthly in-person sessions, many participants also reported an improvement in daily function, calmness and an improved state of mind.

“The results indicate that alternative approaches are effective in reducing pain and stress, and in improving self-management and general well-being,” said Robyn Wiesel, associate director, Public and Patient Education at HSS.

This is something that we’ve been preaching on the blog for years now. You need to have more than one way to treat your pain condition, and these complementary approaches can work wonders. Whether it’s yoga, balance training, mindful meditation, cycling or swimming, find an activity that allows you to de-stress and strengthen your body. Not only will you have physical and psychological benefits, but it may reduce your reliance on opioids!