Conditions
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is typically defined as any persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. In this guide we go through all of your options for managing chronic pain.
What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is typically defined as any persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal sensation that alerts us to possible injury, chronic pain persists beyond the expected time of healing. It can result from various conditions or injuries, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, nerve damage, or past injuries. Chronic pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, affecting their physical and mental well-being, daily activities, relationships, and overall functioning. Management often involves a combination of treatments, including medication, physical therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, medical cannabis and lifestyle changes.
What causes chronic pain?
Various factors can contribute to chronic pain, with some having identifiable origins like muscle, bone, or joint issues such as arthritis, back pain, nerve injuries, cancer, or post-surgical effects. Conditions like arthritis or cancer can lead to persistent pain, while even after healing from an injury or disease, changes in the body can heighten sensitivity to pain.
Additionally, psychogenic or psychosomatic pain, which is not linked to physical injury or illness but rather to psychological factors like stress, anxiety, and depression, can also be a source of chronic pain.
It’s possible to experience multiple causes simultaneously, such as different diseases or a combination of migraines and psychogenic pain. Despite the specific underlying cause, there are various strategies to improve daily functioning and well-being, including considering a medical cannabis prescription for chronic pain in the UK.
Where do people have chronic pain?
Chronic pain can present itself in various ways, affecting different parts of the body. Some common types of chronic pain include:
- Joint pain, often stemming from conditions like arthritis.
- Back pain.
- Neck pain.
- Pain associated with cancer, particularly near a tumour.
- Headaches, which may include migraines.
- Testicular pain, medically termed orchialgia.
- Persistent pain in scar tissue.
- Widespread muscle pain, as observed in fibromyalgia.
- Neurogenic pain, arising from nerve or nervous system damage.
By considering medical cannabis prescriptions, individuals with chronic pain in the UK may find relief and improved quality of life.
What does chronic pain feel like?
Individuals experiencing chronic pain report a range of sensations, including:
- Aching
- Burning
- Shooting
- Squeezing
- Stiffness
- Stinging
- Throbbing
Chronic pain frequently coexists with other symptoms and conditions, such as anxiety, depression, persistent fatigue, insomnia, and mood swings. For those in the UK, a medical cannabis prescription for chronic pain might be a viable option to help manage these symptoms.
Chronic pain can present itself in various ways, affecting different parts of the body. Some common types of chronic pain include:
- Joint pain, often stemming from conditions like arthritis.
- Back pain.
- Neck pain.
- Pain associated with cancer, particularly near a tumour.
- Headaches, which may include migraines.
- Testicular pain, medically termed orchialgia.
- Persistent pain in scar tissue.
- Widespread muscle pain, as observed in fibromyalgia.
- Neurogenic pain, arising from nerve or nervous system damage.
By considering medical cannabis prescriptions, individuals with chronic pain in the UK may find relief and improved quality of life.
What medications can treat chronic pain?
There are several medications available for managing chronic pain, ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) options to those requiring a prescription. OTC medications, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, include:
- Paracetamol
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- Co-codamol, a combination of codeine and paracetamol
- Codeine with ibuprofen
Prescription medications for chronic pain include:
- Various NSAIDs like diclofenac
- Anticonvulsants such as pregabalin and gabapentin for nerve pain
- Antidepressants like amitriptyline and other tricyclic antidepressants
- Opioids, including codeine, dihydrocodeine, tramadol, morphine, buprenorphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone
- Lidocaine patches
- Capsaicin
- Corticosteroids
- Muscle relaxants
- Sedatives for anxiety or insomnia
- Medical cannabis prescribed by a specialist
In addition to medication, chronic pain management at pain clinics or hospitals may involve treatments such as:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Nerve blocks
- Epidural steroid injections
For those in the UK, considering a chronic pain medical cannabis prescription under specialist medical guidance is a viable option.
Chronic Pain and Medicinal Cannabis
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018. This legal framework permits the use of medical cannabis for treating chronic pain conditions, particularly when conventional treatments have proven ineffective.
Medical cannabis operates by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, including pain sensation. Through its action on the ECS, medical cannabis can offer relief from chronic pain and improve overall quality of life. For further insights and to learn more about medical cannabis, explore our scientific research:
Book your free call back with our Patient Care Coordinators to discuss your treatment journey and any questions you may have about your chronic pain medical cannabis prescription.
Alternatively, check your eligibility for Medical Cannabis treatment in three quick steps by completing our Medical Cannabis eligibility assessment today.