Chronic pain is a lasting condition that goes beyond the discomfort of a routine cut or strain. Unlike the average scrape or bruise, in which mild discomfort tend to only be temporary, people who suffer from chronic pain can experience excruciating throbbing and aching that can last for an indefinite amount of time.
From a medical perspective, chronic pain is generally defined as severe discomfort that goes on for at least three months. As it relates to medical marijuana in Florida, chronic pain must be evaluated by Dr. Brown in order to see if you qualify for cannabis. The pain must be related to a qualifying medical condition.
Chronic pain can surface in one or a combination of the following sensations:
- Aching
- Throbbing
- Burning
- Stiffness
- Stinging
- Soreness
Chronic pain is the body’s way of communicating that something is seriously wrong. It is often the side effect of a serious health condition. It can impact even the simplest daily activities, not to mention one’s overall and systemic health and wellness. It follows that people who experience long-term, debilitating chronic pain also tend to suffer from depression and poor mental health.
Your Body’s Reaction to Injury
When your body experiences an injury or trauma, your nervous system goes to work by sending electrical signals to your brain and nerves. The subsequent pain that you experience is your body’s way of communicating that something is not right, and that you need treatment and rest in order to properly heal.
Some predominate causes of chronic pain include:
- Surgery
- Unhealed injury
- Muscle strain
- Nerve damage
- Migraines/Headaches
- Arthritis
- Infection
- Fibromyalgia
- Other diseases and health conditions
In most instances, pain diminishes once the offending medical condition has healed, or at least once you find effective treatment.
Cannabis and Chronic Pain
Traditional medicine offers one approach to treating chronic pain, which is why your general practitioner or medical specialist should be consulted and help develop a treatment regimen. But patients who find traditional medical solutions to be insufficient, or who may prefer a natural, organic approach to treating chronic pain, can find tremendous benefits in medical marijuana.
Although chronic pain is not formally listed among the conditions that legally qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Florida, many of the illnesses and diseases that can cause chronic pain are on the list of approved conditions — including cancer, ALS and Crohn’s disease.
What’s more, a terminal illness is eligible for medical marijuana treatment, as well as conditions that are similar to or share traits with the specific diagnoses listed in Florida’s medical marijuana law.
Medical doctors also can use their discretion when determining whether cannabis might be an effective approach to addressing a patient’s chronic pain.
Educate Yourself
Don’t fall sway to dated stereotypes about the purpose, uses and effects of marijuana. People in Tampa and nationwide who suffer from debilitating illnesses learn quickly that today’s carefully-manufactured and regulated medical marijuana products can be a powerful, long-term, natural tool for battling chronic pain.
If you live in Tampa, St. Petersburg or anywhere else in Florida and have questions about whether medical marijuana is right for you, please call Access Marijuana RX today at 727-209-5470 to arrange a consultation and evaluation.