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Is Medical Marijuana for Back Pain Better Than Opioids?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits in the United States. If you have ever suffered from back pain, there’s a good chance you got a prescription for medication to help treat it. While many patients opt for an opioid drug, medical marijuana for back pain could be a better solution.

How Medical Marijuana Helps With Back Pain

The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP) has a long list of health conditions eligible for medical cannabis, and chronic pain is one of them. Medical marijuana helps with issues like back pain because the cannabinoids in the plant interact with the central nervous system, which governs how you feel physically and emotionally. They also control things like appetite, mood, and memory.

If you suffer from back pain, talk to your doctor about helping it with medical marijuana instead of opioids. Cannabis products can target many back pain symptoms and provide the following benefits:

  • Improving your overall quality of life: Medical marijuana for back pain is not only effective for many patients, but it also allows you to enjoy everyday life.
  • Minimizing risks of addiction: Addiction is an all-too-common problem when it comes to pain relief medication. With medical cannabis, though, you reduce that risk. 
  • Providing a safer solution: Other medications may include chemicals and artificial ingredients. Marijuana products are natural substances derived from the cannabis plant.


Pain Intensity

One of the primary ways medical marijuana can help with back pain involves pain relief. Multiple studies on real-life patients throughout the years have shown that cannabis can significantly reduce the intensity of pain shortly after inhaling it. If your back pain has become unmanageable, medical marijuana could help you retake control. 

Spinal issues often result in neuropathic pain or nerve pain. This type of pain debilitates many people and requires powerful medications that are highly addictive. However, medical cannabis may help with nerve pain without the dangerous side effects.

Inflammation

You can use medical marijuana for back pain as well as inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection, and it can cause not only pain but also swelling, redness, and heat around the affected area. If you’ve ever had a sprained ankle or even been stung by a bee, you know how badly it hurts when the affected area swells up.

Many people living with back pain likely deal with inflammation in their muscles and joints. Medical cannabis contains important anti-inflammatory properties to help with this common symptom.

Nausea and Vomiting

Opioids and similar medications are typically the go-to options for treating back pain. While these drugs may indeed help treat chronic pain, they frequently come with adverse effects like nausea and vomiting that get in the way of everyday life. Wouldn’t it be nice to fix one health problem without creating several others? 

This is where medical marijuana comes into play. You can use marijuana alongside or instead of opioid-based medications to help with back pain and avoid harmful side effects.

Muscle Spasms

Although back pain and muscle spasms are two different health conditions, they sometimes go hand in hand. You can get medical marijuana under the MMCP from a verified dispensary to help help with muscle spasms and manage symptoms related to chronic pain. Medical marijuana works to reduce spasms by relaxing your muscles and relieving tension.

Get Medical Cannabis From a Verified LeafMed Dispensary

In early 2022, Mississippi legalized medical marijuana and made it available to qualified patients through approved dispensaries. LeafMed has dispensaries in Gulfport, Vicksburg, and Bay St. Louis to help you fulfill your needs. Our knowledgeable staff can answer questions, and let you know how to obtain a medical marijuana card in Mississippi

Do you need medical marijuana for back pain? At LeafMed, we’re here to help! Contact us today or visit a verified dispensary near you.