Medical Marijuana For Short-Term Chronic Pain Relief

November 17, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Medical marijuana is a topic we’ve written about on the blog numerous times in the past, and one point we’ve always hammered home is that we want more scientifically-backed research on the subject. As more research comes out, the more we expand our knowledge of the subject and can better treat our patients.

Recently, we read about a study that looked at the short-term benefits of medical marijuana use to control chronic pain symptoms. We share the results of that study in today’s blog.

Short Term Chronic Pain Relief With Medical Cannabis

The research was originally published in Volume 20, Issue 6 of Practical Pain Management, and it explored how medical marijuana could be used to help provide pain relief in patients with certain types of chronic pain. Patients for the study were at least 25 years of age, had experienced chronic pain for at least three months, and were willing to provide accurate reports about their chronic pain levels both before and during treatment. Treatment, in this instance, was taking medical cannabis after being informed of proper administration guidelines from a physician.

The most common chronic pain conditions that affected patients in this study were back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic headaches. Patients were asked to rank their pain at the beginning of the study and then again at 1-month, 3-month and 6-month intervals. Here’s what they found:

Patients in the study found that medical cannabis treatment was associated with significant improvements in pain symptoms and quality of life within one month of initiating treatment.
These effects were sustained at the three- and six-month intervals.
The only adverse effects patients reported were dry mouth, increased appetite and the sensation of feeling “high.”

After looking at the totality of the study, researchers stated that medical marijuana, when administered under the care and supervision of a healthcare professional, can be a safe and effective option for short-term pain relief for patients with varying types of chronic pain.

At our clinic, we always say that we want patients to find a solution to chronic pain that works for them. It won’t always be easy or passive, but we want you to find a solution that works for you. If medical marijuana or other treatments like the Daith piercing can help you find relief, we’re all for it. We’re also here to provide you with care or treatment recommendations if you want to pair your current treatments with a more professional approach. We’ll happily walk you though some of the more standard options like physical therapy or other lifestyle interventions, but we can also discuss alternative options and give you some more information so you can make the best decision for your health.

For more information about different ways to treat your chronic pain, or to set up a consultation with a specialist, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

The Effects Of Alcohol On Chronic Pain Management

October 8, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

At the end of a long hard day, many people just want to put their feet up and relax, and some also choose to kick back with a beer or a cocktail. Alcohol can affect our mood and our stress level, and it can even help to take our mind off the stressors of the day. However, it’s far from a perfect crutch to lean on if you are battling a chronic pain condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the effects of alcohol as it pertains to someone dealing with a chronic pain condition.

Alcohol and Chronic Pain

Even when used responsibly, alcohol can cause problems with our bodies. It can lead to nerve damage and increase our risk for certain types of cancers. However, research shows that a large portion of chronic pain patients are turning to alcohol to help cope with their pain condition. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, roughly 28 percent of chronic pain patients self-medicate with alcohol. That’s more than 1 in 4 pain patients.

The reason many people turn to alcohol is because of the short term relief it appears to provide. It helps to drown out pain signals from nerves and mental stressors like anxiety and depression. The problem is that it doesn’t do this in a healthy way. The short term relief can eventually give way to long term issues, including worsening chronic pain conditions. Nerve signals can become more problematic as the nerves are damaged from alcohol consumption, and relying on alcohol can also push a person further away from healthy treatment options.

For example, drinking alcohol is easier than getting regular exercise, but the benefits of exercise far outweigh the benefits of alcohol. Many people can find the same relief through each option, but one option does this in a positive, healthy way and the other does it in a way that jeopardizes our short- and long-term health. Alcohol intake can also cause problems if you are taking medications, making them ineffective or increasing your risk of dependence, abuse or overdose.

Interestingly, the effects of alcohol on chronic pain have been studied by researchers in the past, and they have found that mild to moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks per day) was associated with a slight reduction in anxiety and pain scores. However, researchers don’t believe that this was due to the physical effect alcohol had on the body. Instead, they believe it had to do with the social effects it had on patients, lowering inhibitions and making patients more socially active. Long term it can cause nerve damage, but in the short term it can trick your brain into getting you into a better mindset, and there are positive associations between improved mental health and similar improvements in physical health.

At the end of the day, please use alcohol responsibly if you have a chronic pain condition. Alcohol should never be used as a coping or treatment strategy, because there are so many healthier and more effective options. If you’re struggling with a pain condition and are trying to find a healthy way to treat it, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How Is The Pandemic Is Affecting Pain Patients

September 30, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

pain Although it seems like we’re starting to come out the other side, we’re still dealing with the fallout of COVID-19 on a daily basis. And while the virus tends to have the most severe effects on older adults, another vulnerable group during this period are chronic pain patients. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how chronic pain sufferers are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pain Patients and the Pandemic

Chronic pain can make getting out of bed a daily battle, and when you add a pandemic to the mix, it only gets worse. Here’s a look at some of the unique ways that the pandemic is affecting patients with chronic conditions.

Isolation – We’re supposed to be limiting our contact with others as much as possible to help cut down on potential transmission, and that can leave us feeling isolated. Those feelings can be amplified in patients with a chronic pain condition who may already feel isolated because of their individual pain condition. Make sure you are staying connected with others as best you can, be it by phone, Facetime or in person with distancing measures in mind.

Worsened Symptoms – If a chronic pain patient caught COVID-19, there’s a chance their symptoms would be worse than the average person’s symptoms. Research has found that genetic and autoimmune deficiencies could contribute to worsening symptoms, and those same issues could have an underlying role in your chronic pain condition. Everyone should make smart decisions when it comes to preventing potential exposure, but this is especially true for chronic pain patients.

Delayed Access To Care – Elective surgeries were delayed when COVID numbers were surging in Minnesota, and now medical centers are dealing with a backlog of patients. This can make it harder to see a doctor as soon as you would like. COVID-19 is delaying access to medical care for all individuals, but patients with chronic pain that may have more regular checkups and screenings now may face additional challenges staying on top of their condition.

Psychological Effects – As we’ve preached about on the blog in the past, chronic pain conditions are rarely only a physical issue. There is also a big psychological side to treating the condition. However, this could become harder to manage as the stress of COVID-19 is adding mental strain to our plate. Try to ensure that you are taking time for your mental health and your physical health each and every day.

If you are finding it even harder to manage your chronic pain during these turbulent times, know that we are here for you. We will do everything in our power to help you have more good days than bad. For more information on how we’ll do this, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How Does Chronic Pain Affect A Marriage?

August 19, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain affects many aspects of a person’s life, but it’s not just the individual dealing with the pain condition that has to bear the burden. According to new research, chronic pain can also significantly affect the relationship between a patient and their spouse.

The study published in the European Journal of Pain decided to take a closer look at the impact chronic pain had on households, spousal relationships and marital satisfaction. As you can probably guess, chronic pain can really put some stress on a relationship.

For the study, researchers questioned 114 couples where one spouse was a chronic pain patient at a clinic in Spain. Nearly 60% of participants were female, and the average age was 55 years old. The most frequent locations for chronic pain were the lower back (79.8%), neck (46.5%) and the knee (15.8%).

What Spouses Are Saying

After being asked about their lifestyle and martial satisfaction, here’s what patients and spouses had to say about how chronic pain was impacting their life.

Spouses reported an average of just over 90 minutes of caregiving duties each day.
65.8% of patients reported an occupational change because of their chronic pain, with some going on permanent disability and others quitting without compensation.
Of 24 listed chores, patients said they performed an average of 18 before chronic pain began but were limited to an average of 12 tasks after pain.
On the flip side, spouses said on average that they took on two more chores after their spouse developed chronic pain.
52% of spouses reported a high to severe degree of burden, and roughly 1 in 4 patients and spouses reported having a troubled relationship.

There’s a lot to sort through with these findings, but the main takeaway is that chronic pain can really stress a marriage. Not only can it financially affect the relationship in the form or lost or reduced income, but it can also require the spouse to take on a much bigger caretaker role. Being both a caretaker and a spouse can be stressful and can lead to relationship dissatisfaction, but it doesn’t have to.

There are a number of ways to help mitigate the stress brought on by chronic pain, and we don’t have all the answers here because chronic pain is so unique to the individual. However, one of the best things you can do is talk about your concerns, your fears, your wishes and your goals. Speak up and communicate with your doctor, your care team and your spouse about what concerns you and what you can do to help improve your relationships.

Relationships take work, and relationships involving chronic pain can take even more work, but they are far from doomed. Work to correct your pain issues and to foster an open dialogue between you, your partner and your doctor, and we’re confident your relationship will move in the right direction. And for help with any aspect of your pain care, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

Why Added Stress Can Make Chronic Pain Worse

August 10, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

stress Everyone is adjusting to the new normal. Life has been turned upside down and inside out, and there is a new agenda every day. Most of us are locked in at home, with the new goal being trying to stay safe and healthy. If you are a parent, now you have to become a teacher alongside all your other responsibilities. If you are a senior citizen, you may think you are young but now you have a new target on your back and the challenge is to stay alive. If you are lucky you still have a job. However, almost everyone is worried about what is next, whether it is financial issues, the ability to obtain food or toilet paper shortages. Beyond these, one still has the regular health concerns and for many their chronic pain is now compounded by added stress.

The normal now is everything is likely to change, and constant change is stressful to most people. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring and the fear of the unknown is common nowadays. Everyone is stressed since life has radically changed. Having chronic pain from any source now can feel worse. It is not a part of your imagination; it is due to the fact that many of the centers in the brain that help transfer pain signals are adjacent to the stress and anxiety centers. Therefore, stress and anxiety can be perceived by the brain through a short circuit caused by added stress. As one becomes stressed about change, pain increases.

Treating The Physical And Emotional Components Of Pain

Treating physical ailments has always been the strength of the medical profession. Recognizing a broken bone or a cervical or lumbar disc issue is relatively easy, since we can see it on an imaging test. The pain a malady causes is more complex since it requires a sensory nerve to be stimulated and the brain to perceive and interpret the signal as an abnormal event. The act of interpreting sensory transmissions is partly based on a person’s experience of similar signals and their emotional responses to those types of sensations in the past.

For many people, the emotional components of pain in the past are neutral in importance. For others, the signals have strong negative stressful associations with traumatic experiences and then pain and stress become linked in the brain as the same events. Recognizing this association of pain and stress becomes vital in the management of controlling chronic pain.

The pain everyone suffers is real. However, most pain has both physical and emotional factors. identifying and treating the physical aspects of pain is much easier. Treating these aspects of pain are in ways the simple “cookbook” parts of management strategies, i.e. if you are having X symptoms, do Y, and so forth. When pain becomes more chronic, understanding and working with the emotional components to pain are often critical to its control. Treating the person’s perceptions and emotions associated with the pain become critical. A person is much more than just a broken bone or spine problem, and treatment often needs to include managing the brain’s perception of sensory signals.

Successful pain management often involves dealing with not only the physical generators of sensory signals, but also how the brain is responding to those signals directly and emotionally. A person is not weak or crazy when there are emotional components to pain. Using cognitive and psychological techniques to treat these parts of pain is challenging but very important in being able to reduce the intensity of signals. When successful treatment of central interpretive components of pain occurs, the relative intensity of signals markedly diminishes.

So as the world seems to be collapsing in the throes of a pandemic and stress and anxiety are increasing, it is common to see those with pain issues having increased intensity of symptoms. The brain is a complex structure, and everything that it perceives is often subject to interpretation. Pain is no different and stress has a large impact on the perception of sensory signals, especially those delivering messages of trauma and inflammation. Treating the brain and how it is interpreting sensory signals often becomes the key necessary to unlock the successful management of pain.