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.

5 Reasons To Consider CBD Oil For Chronic Pain Management

September 21, 2020September 23, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The following post is a guest blog from Crystal Wilson of CBDFX.com, who reached out to us asking if she could publish a blog on CBD oil. As Crystal mentions in her piece, please consult your physician and talk about your individual needs and treatments before starting or changing a treatment regimen for a chronic pain condition.

Given the growing legalization and popularity, CBD oil has become a household name. People are now gradually accepting the idea of using CBD oil for the many therapeutic benefits it can offer. Recently, it has become a popular treatment for chronic pain.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol, also popularly known as CBD, is one of the many cannabinoids or chemical compounds present in the cannabis herb. Unlike popular belief, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that does not induce a mind-altering high. The cannabinoid has medicinal properties, which can help treat a wide range of physical and psychological health troubles.

Manufacturers use a specific CO2 extraction process to get CBD and then add a carrier oil to get CBD oil. You can either use CBD oil directly or through capsules, but topicals and edibles infused with the oil are also quite popular. When it comes to pain, effective CBD tincture can be
an ideal way to ingest the cannabinoid.

Why should you use CBD oil for pain management?

Debilitating pain can hinder you from living your routine life. As a result, here are a few reasons for you to try CBD oil for managing chronic pain:

1. CBD is non-psychoactive

The cannabis plant has hundreds of different chemicals that determine how the plant will affect you. Out of the plenty, there are close to 60 cannabinoids that experts are aware of. THC and CBD are among the most popular and prominent cannabinoids.

The chemical compound THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for the mind-altering high that most people experience. On the contrary, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties. It is a medicinal compound that cannot get you high because of its low THC levels.

2. It is legal and safe to use

While most people refrain from using CBD oil because of the belief that it is illegal, they are mistaken. Many countries are legalizing CBD owing to its medicinal effects. After the passing of the Hemp Farm Bill in 2018, many states in the US have legalized the sale and use of hemp-derived CBD products.

Hemp is the industrially grown cannabis, especially for medical reasons. It has a high CBD level and a little THC present, making it ideal for treating many ailments. Moreover, CBD oil with 0.3% THC or less can only be legally sold and used for managing chronic pain.

3. Can bring relief from chronic pain

The human body contains a highly complex endocannabinoid system that regulates essential bodily functions like mood, memory, immunity, and even reproductive health. The endocannabinoid system is a structure made up of cells that produce neurotransmitters called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids go into different body parts and interact with the receptors present there to initiate change.

The cannabinoids produced in your body are identical to the ones present in the cannabis plant. When you ingest CBD oil, the cannabinoids will bind with the receptors present in your cells, hormones, or organs and change how you react to stimuli. Due to this interaction, CBD oil may help manage chronic pain and bring you much-needed relief.

4. May help with rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis is a severe disorder that can affect your joints and muscles, leading to chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder where the immune system stops working correctly and attacks joints. It leads to inflammation and erosion of joints.

Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, experts believe that CBD oil’s therapeutic properties may help. The cannabinoid CBD might stop the immune system from attacking key points to help prevent the disease. FDA has also approved Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine for pain and arthritis.

5. You cannot get addicted to it

A majority of people opt for artificial painkillers to combat the pain. While they are effective, the painkillers come with the risk of over-dependence and addiction. In the case of CBD oil, the chances of getting addicted to it are negligible. Even after years of using the oil to treat pain, you can stop using it without feeling any withdrawal symptoms.

Final Thoughts

In the last decade, CBD oil has emerged as a popular and effective health supplement. With increasing evidence about its health benefits and widespread legalization, it has become a buzzword. If you are tired of changing medicines and consulting doctors for pain, you can give CBD oil a try. It can help you combat chronic pain and organically treat rheumatoid arthritis. Get high-grade CBD oil today and say goodbye to chronic pain for good. However, before incorporating the natural substance into your diet and supplement, consult your doctors or an expert.

Reference links:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319475#takeaway

https://www.northeastspineandsports.com/7-benefits-of-cbd-for-pain-management/

Preventing Chronic Pain From Having Consequences For Your Social Life

September 17, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Chronic pain can be a significant physical problem, but unfortunately it’s not just a physical issue. We’ve talked about how chronic physical pain can have an impact on your mental health on the blog in the past, but today we want to touch on another aspect of your life that chronic pain can affect – your social life. Below, we talk about how chronic pain can negatively affect your social life, and how to prevent this from happening.

Chronic Pain And Your Social Life

If you have a chronic pain condition, you can probably relate to at least one of the points below. Here are a number of ways chronic pain can affect your social life.

1. Withdrawing From Friends – Either because you’re dealing with a flare up or you’re afraid of a flare up when you’re out with friends, it’s easy to start using your pain condition as a reason to turn down invitations or to meet up with others. Never be afraid to say no, but at the same time, make sure you’re also offering and trying to make plans instead of always being the one cancelling or skipping. If you’re afraid of going to the movies with friends, offer to host a movie night. Find a way to stay close to your inner circle on your own terms if chronic pain sometimes gets in the way.

2. It Distracts You – Sometimes chronic pain is all we can think about, and that can take away from your enjoyment when you’re out with others. This can leave you feeling distant even when you’re out with friends. Really try to engage in the activity or the conversation, as this can help take your mind off your pain, and this speaks to the larger point of really working with a pain specialist to find treatment and coping mechanisms to prevent pain from making you mentally distracted.

3. Your Mood – Being in physical pain can have a significant affect on your mood, and nobody wants to hang out with someone whose always in a bad mood. Talk with your doctor about your cognitive treatment options to prevent physical pain from affecting your mood. And while it may not be easy, try to reflect on your mood and your attitudes when you’re with others to see if you believe your pain is making you a negative person.

4. Isolated – Chronic pain can leave you feeling isolated in a different way than described in point one where you’re not physically able to connect with friends. Chronic pain can leave patients feeling different from everyone else, and that can be extremely isolating. Don’t be afraid to talk with your friends and family about how your chronic pain makes you feel. Odds are they are going to be more accepting and welcoming than imagined, because you’d do the same for them if they opened up to you about their struggles.

By working with a specialist who understands the physical, mental, emotional and social effects of chronic pain, you can help ensure that your condition doesn’t spill over into other aspects of your life. Dr. Cohn has been doing that for patients for decades, and he can do the same for you. For more information, reach out to his clinic today.

How To Deal With Chronic Pain Without Medication

September 11, 2020 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Everybody’s battle against chronic pain is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating chronic pain. However, one thing many patients have in common is a desire to avoid painkillers and opioids at all costs. That’s not to say that opioids can’t be a crucial part of a chronic pain treatment program, but for one reason or another, many patients want to avoid them if at all possible.

If you’re one of those people who wants to try and treat their chronic pain without the assistance of opioids, we want to help. Below, we look at some ways you can work to alleviate symptoms and treat the root cause of your chronic pain without painkillers.

Treating Pain Without Pills

Many chronic pain patients find relief with some form or a combination of the following treatment options.

1. Exercise – Sometimes your chronic pain is derived from instability or your body’s inability to provide ample support for stress that is being channeled through an area. Exercise can help to strengthen weakened areas of your body, but it also helps by pushing healthy blood throughout your body so that oxygenated blood and nutrients can aid in tissue development. If traditional exercises like running or walking are too painful, consider some limited weight-bearing exercises like swimming or an elliptical.

2. Yoga – Yoga can provide a number of the same benefits as exercise, but it can also help treat chronic pain that is causing limited mobility. Yoga can help to expand your range of motion and treat issues like chronic neck pain or frozen shoulder. Find a beginner class near you and drag a friend a long to join in the fun.

3. Meditation and Mindfulness – Sometimes, it’s not about treating just the physical condition, you also need to be cognizant of your mindset and how chronic pain is affecting your mental health. Improving your mental health has been shown to have a positive affect on your physical health, so understand that these two factors are related. Make sure you’re caring for your mental health throughout your battle with a physical pain condition, because that can help spur recovery. Meditation and similar mental health-based activities can help with this.

4. Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is arguably the most commonly recommended form of non-operative treatment for chronic pain conditions, and that’s because it’s often so effective. By working with a physical medicine specialist or a physical therapist, you can develop a therapy routine that targets the underlying cause of pain. Whether it’s chronic joint pain, a muscle issue or loose ligaments that are leading to chronic ankle sprains, a physical therapy program that strengthens specific areas of your body can work wonders.

5. Hot/Cold Therapy – Hot or cold therapy can be beneficial for your chronic pain condition depending on the underlying cause. For example, heat therapy can boost blood flow to an area with limited blood flow due to inflammation, and heat can also help relax painful muscle spasms. Cold therapy can be used to help limit swelling in an area, making joint movement less painful. Consider using this option in combination with other techniques listed on this page.

For help getting control over your pain condition, without or without painkillers, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.