pain

Researchers Study THC Microdosing For Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

microdosing THCIf you’ve been following our blog for a while now, you probably know that we’re interested in how cannabis or medical marijuana can be used to help with some chronic pain conditions. Recently, we came across a new study published in the European Journal of Pain that explored how microdosing THC could be used to treat chronic pain. Below, we take a closer look at the findings of that study.

Microdosing For Chronic Pain

Microdosing is the term used to describe the act of taking a subtherapeutic dosage of a drug. More recently, the term has become synonymous with regularly taking small doses of psychedelic drugs like LSD. Some artists and authors say microdosing on these agents can unlock the creativity inside of them, but the study out of Europe wanted to see if microdosing other types of drugs could prove to be a successful treatment option for some health conditions. Considering that cannabis has already been used to treat some types of chronic pain, researchers were interested to see if a THC microdose could offer similar benefits.

The randomized, double-blind study separated 27 patients into three different groups. There were:

  • One inhaled microdose of 500 micrograms (0.5mg) of THC
  • One inhaled microdose of 1,000 micrograms (1.0mg) of THC
  • A placebo group

Participants with neuropathic chronic pain were given the doses on three separate test days and asked about their pain scores throughout the study. Researchers found that both microdose groups experienced some short-term reductions in chronic pain.

“Both doses, but not the placebo, demonstrated a significant reduction in pain intensity compared with baseline and remained stable for 150-minutes,” the researchers wrote in the published study. “The 1-mg dose showed a significant pain decrease compared to the placebo.”

Other findings from the study include:

  • No signs of cognitive impairment in either active dose group.
  • Reports of a psychoactive “high” sensation were significantly higher in the 1-mg group compared to the 0.5-mg group.
  • The 1-mg dose used in the trial is about about 5-10x less than what many consider to be the low-end of a psychoactive dose of THC.

“We can concluded from the study results that low doses of cannabis may provide desirable effects while avoiding cognitive debilitations, significantly contributing to daily functioning, quality of life, and safety of the patient,” says Elon Eisenberg, lead research on the project, from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. “The doses given in this study, being so low, mandate very high precision in the treatment modality.”

However, the study did have some limitations. The study was conducted and funded primarily by Syqe Medical, which produces the single microdose inhalers used in the trial, but the study was independently peer-reviewed and published. Also, the trial only involved 27 people, so we’ll need more research on a much larger scale before considering this an option for the right chronic pain patient. That being said, it’s certainly an avenue we’ll be keeping an eye on in the coming months and years!

Don’t Be Ashamed Of Your Chronic Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

chronic pain shameThere are a lot of emotions that can develop as a result of dealing with a chronic pain condition. There’s sadness, frustration, anger and loneliness to name a few. Eventually we’ll have a blog on how to deal with all of these emotions, but today, we want to touch on another emotion that sometimes develops in chronic pain patients, and that’s shame.

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of the blog, let us just say this – you should never be ashamed of yourself because of your chronic pain condition. It’s not uncommon for patients to feel a sense of shame, but know that these feelings don’t reflect accurately on yourself. You don’t have to be ashamed for something you can’t control, so don’t be.

Obviously that’s easier said than done, but in today’s blog, we want to dive into some of the reasons why patients may feel ashamed of their chronic pain condition, and what you can do to help free yourself from these feelings.

Avoiding The Shame Of Chronic Pain

Shame can develop for a number of different reasons for those individuals battling a chronic pain condition. They may be ashamed that they can’t do as much physical activity as others, they may be ashamed about cancelling at the last minute because of a flareup, or they may be ashamed about how others perceive them. We understand those feelings, but know that you should not feel ashamed for those reasons.

In our experience, the only reason you should feel genuine shame over your condition is if you are cheating yourself out of the best treatment outcomes. If you’re skipping physical therapy appointments because you don’t want to put in the work, or you ignore your doctor’s instructions, then we understand why you might feel ashamed. The good news about this type of shame is that it starts and ends with you. You control your commitment to your treatment plan, so all you have to do to rid yourself of these feelings is dive head first into your doctor’s recommendations.

But how can you rid yourself of the other reasons for the feelings of shame? Those reasons you can’t control, like missing a movie night because of a flare up or the fear of being viewed as someone with a low pain tolerance by your friends? To do this, we need to begin by changing our mindset. Instead of focusing on how we think others are thinking of us, we need to turn are attention inwards. Because if you are satisfied with what you are doing to control your pain, you’ll often notice these feelings of shame will disappear.

So how can we self reflect on our handling of chronic pain to reduce these feelings of shame? Again, it goes back to what we said above about controlling what you can control. You need to realize what is out of your control, what you can control, and how to manage the controllable aspects of your life. You can’t control whether or not you’re going to have a good day or a bad day, but you can increase your likelihood of having more good days than bad by doing your therapy exercises, increasing your understanding of your condition, reaching out to your doctor if you have questions or concerns, setting attainable goals and recognizing achievements, no matter how small. These controllable aspects add up, and when you make positive strides in all these areas, you’ll find that you are doing everything you can to regain control of your physical health, and once you’ve achieved that, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

So it doesn’t matter what your mother in law or your coworkers think. If you can say “yes, I’m doing everything I can to take control over my chronic pain condition,” even if it’s not working the way you hoped, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, you should be proud. It takes a lot of guts to fight back against a chronic pain condition, so you should be commended, not shamed.

If you’re still finding it difficult to deal with some of the feelings associated with your chronic pain condition, let us help you take back control and develop a care plan that suits your needs. For more information, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.

How A Positive Attitude Can Affect Chronic Pain Treatment

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

attitudeWhen it comes to treating chronic pain patients, we always hope to find patients who are willing to put in the work and have a positive attitude about working towards a solution. And according to a new study out of Boston Medical University, those patients with positive attitudes may actually have a better chance of experiencing positive results from treatment.

For the study, researchers at BMU tracked the progress of nearly 300 individuals who had been diagnosed with chronic low back pain. Individuals were either placed in a therapy group, where they received 12 weeks of physical therapy or yoga, or they were placed in self-care group which involved being given a handbook on self-management strategies for their pain. Not surprisingly, the individuals who pursued active treatment strategies like yoga or physical therapy were more likely to see a decrease in back pain and an increase in function compared to the self care group (42% vs. 23%, respectively).

Looking Forward To Exercise

However, likely the most interesting finding from the study was uncovered when researchers looked into patient motivations. Researchers also tracked a patient’s desire to complete their specific treatment course, and they found that those who looked forward to exercise, or at a minimum, did not fear the activity, generally had a much higher physical response to the treatment.

Of those with less fear of exercise, 53 percent of those in the yoga group had pain decreases and function increases, 42 percent in the physical therapy group responded the same, as did 13 percent in the self care group. Researchers uncovered that regardless of what group they were placed in, those individuals who had a fear of exercise typically had a poor response to pain and function changes.

We understand that exercise or your physical therapy routine may not be something that you look forward to with anticipation, but at the same time, if you generally dislike the activity or are afraid of giving it your all, it can actually have negative effects on your recovery.

It’s obviously easier said than done to change your attitude about therapy, especially when you’re dealing with a chronic condition, but know that your attitude plays a bigger role in your outcomes than you may expect. Focus on your goals and what you hope to gain by working towards a recovery instead of focusing on the discomfort caused by your pain condition. Focusing on your goals instead of your pain can make it easier for you to attack the day and have a positive mindset about your treatment, and that can help you make success a reality!

So if you are struggling to find the motivation or desire to follow through on a chronic pain treatment plan, or if you feel lost and in need of professional guidance, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his experienced medical team today for more information and assistance.

Self Management Tips For Chronic Back Pain

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

manage back pain homeChronic back pain is one of the most common conditions that affects Americans over the age of 40. Because it is so common, many people often try to push through the pain and keep on living their daily life. While this is admirable, it may not be your best move, and it can actually lead to worse pain. However, if you are proactive and deliberate in how you care for your spine, you can help treat these types of pain and get back to a pain-free way of living. We share those tips in today’s blog.

Managing Back Pain On Your Own

There’s no perfect playbook for managing chronic back pain on your own, but here are some helpful tips to start you off on the right foot.

Get A Diagnosis – Now, this may go against your idea of managing your back pain “on your own,” but getting a diagnosis can play a key role in helping you self-manage your pain. If you don’t know what you’re dealing with, it can be hard to follow the right self-care management techniques. The vast majority of spine specialists will recommend conservative care before moving towards surgical intervention, so one appointment can lead to a comprehensive conservative care plan. Knowing what you’re dealing with and how to best treat your pain leads to higher treatment success rates.

Exercise – This may seem like it goes against conventional wisdom, but exercise or physical therapy can help strengthen weakened spinal areas and resolve inflammation that could be leading to pain. Your first instinct may be to rest, but after 24-48 hours, controlled activity often proves more helpful than extended rest. Again, this depends on your root cause of pain, which speaks to the importance of getting a clear diagnosis.

Don’t Over Rely On Painkillers – Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain, but they don’t always target the underlying cause of discomfort. Simply relying on rest and painkillers to fix the issue will often leave you unsatisfied and still in pain. Use these medications to pursue more active treatments if pain is making things like therapy or exercise unbearable.

Don’t Overdo It – Your spine is with you for the long haul, so be sure to prioritize your long term health over your short term physical desires. Athletes, for example, are notorious for trying to rush back from injury before they are truly ready. The same can be said for many older adults who work manual labor. Listen to your body and realize that missing a game or a couple days of work is worth it to help it heal instead of overstressing it while it’s injured. Manage these issues before they snowball because you tried to power through them.

Food And Water – A healthy diet can also go a long way in helping provide back pain relief. A diet rich in key vitamins and nutrients can help strengthen your spine, and staying hydrated will ensure healthy blood flow to key spine structures. A good diet can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which will limit excess stress and strain on your spine.

Mind Your Mental Health – Finally chronic pain back can be just as much of a mental battle as it is physical, so don’t ignore your mental health. Make sure you are doing things that benefit your mental health, like exercising, reading, socializing and getting a good night’s sleep!

For help managing your chronic spine pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today!

Tips For Safely Managing Your Prescriptions

/ Thomas Cohn, MD

medication managementWhether you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition or recovering after a surgical operation, there’s a decent chance that you’ve been prescribed some form of medication to help mange the discomfort. If you need to take medication for your ailment, be it for the next seven days or the rest of your life, managing these painkillers so they are taken safely is the utmost priority. In today’s blog, we share some tips for helping you safely manage your prescription medication.

How To Manage Your Meds Safely

Your ability to safely manage your prescription medication begins the moment your physician tells you that they are starting you on a prescription regimen. From that moment until your last dose, you’ll want to:

Ensure You Understand – Before you leave the office, make sure you understand how your medication should be taken, how often you should take it, and the potential side effects of the medication. When you pick up the prescription from the pharmacist, have them run through the instructions once again. Don’t abuse your medications because you took them incorrectly on accident. Before you take your first pill, make sure you completely understand how to properly administer them.

Set Reminders – Even if you don’t think that you’ll forget to take your medication, it may be worthwhile to get set up with a daily reminder. Some people do this by attaching a sticky note to their toothbrush, while others prefer more modern solutions. There are a number of smartphone apps that can send you notifications or text messages at regular intervals to ensure you take your medications at the right time every day. Find a reminder that works best for you.

Safe Storage – Always be sure to store your medications is a safe location that is out of reach for children. If you have teens or young adults in the household, store your painkillers in a discreet location. You may think that’d they’d never try your painkillers, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Lock boxes are a great place for medications if you’re even the slightest bit concerned that someone in your household could abuse or steal them to sell.

Never Mix – Never mix medications unless your doctor has told you that doing so is safe, and even then you’ll want to avoid driving or doing physical tasks until you know how the medication will affect you. Similarly, don’t mix medications and alcohol, because it can cause significant health issues.

Follow Instructions – If you feel a bad flareup coming on or you’re concerned that your medication isn’t working, don’t take this as a sign to take more of your medication. Follow the instructions and talk to your doctor about whether or not it is safe to adjust your dosage. Taking more than directed can lead to addiction or overdose.

Safely Separate – If you take more than one medication, consider separating them into a daily container like the one in the above picture. Some pills will be taken four times a day, others every 24 hours, and others every few days. It can be tough to keep track of everything, which is why a medication sorter can help ensure you take everything safely.

Stop Smart – Finally, there are health risks associated with abruptly stopping your medication. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to wean off your medication, and if you believe healing has run its course before you run out of painkillers, make sure you dispose of them the right way. You can turn them into a pharmacy or grind them up into coffee grounds and throw them away, but avoid flushing them down the toilet or holding onto them. Safely stop and dispose of your medication.

For help with your medication management, or to look at other solutions to your pain, reach out to Dr. Cohn’s office today.