Pain is supposed to be temporary. It’s a warning from our bodies that something is wrong or that we might be in danger. But for some people, pain is a part of daily reality that they just can’t escape. For those suffering from chronic pain syndrome (CPS), relief may seem like an unattainable dream. But at GreenBridge Medical in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Frankel and Dr. Kurzman have found success in treating patients with the dosed cannabis method. Call or make an appointment online to get help for chronic pain.
The easiest way to know if you’re having chronic pain is to ask yourself how long you have been hurting. Doctors typically describe chronic pain as any pain that has lasted from 3-6 months.
Pain can be musculoskeletal, from something like a slipped disc or arthritic hands, or an old knee injury. It can also be neuropathic, which describes pain caused by damage to the nerve pathways that carry pain signals to the brain.
Whether your pain is a dull throb or a shooting burning sensation, it becomes chronic pain when it’s a frequent disruption to your life over a period of months.
Usually, chronic pain is not a cause for immediate medical alarm because it’s left behind by an injury that has long since healed. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t have a profoundly negative effect on your health.
Living with chronic pain can change your entire outlook on life, sometimes robbing you of your appetite and sex drive and causing anxiety and depression. It can make you feel irritable and exhausted and drive you to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Some people’s pain becomes so intolerable that they have suicidal thoughts.
Chronic pain can be treated in many ways. Medication is usually a primary strategy, especially painkillers and antidepressants. These medications can have serious side effects, especially when taken regularly as is common with chronic pain patients. Physical therapy and lifestyle changes like exercise and better sleep can also be beneficial.
People who suffer from chronic pain can benefit from whole plant cannabis. GreenBridge Medical’s patients often experience significant pain relief, and many are able to discontinue their opioids and other pain medications. Chronic pain is a broad category that can include neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, inflammatory pain, and mechanical/compressive pain.
Medical cannabis also lets you avoid the most severe side effects of common painkillers and opioids. One main compound of cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) is especially helpful with neuropathic pain, which can be extremely resistant to traditional treatment.
Because of its gentler side effects and effectiveness with stubborn pain, many people have turned to medical cannabis for relief from their daily pain.
If you would like to learn more about treating your chronic pain with the dosed cannabis method, contact GreenBridge Medical online or by phone to set up an appointment.
