Cannabis Proof for Chronic Neuropathic Pain

For several years the controversy over medical cannabis has been going on. Clinicians, researchers, legislators and the populace have all had their own opinions on using cannabis as an alternative when conventional methods to decrease pain has failed.

Currently a new study conducted by McGill University Health Center (MUHC) and McGill University researchers in Canada, presents proof that cannabis possibly gives alleviation for patients who suffer from chronic neuorpathic pain.

The findings of this innovating study are published in the newest issue of Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Dr. Mark Ware, head researcher and Director of Clinical Research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at MUHC along with being an assistant professor of anesthesia in McGill University Faculty of Medicine and a neuroscience researcher at the Institute of the MUHC, had stated this is the first trail administered where patients had permission to smoke cannabis at home to observe their daily reactions.

For this study, low dosage amounts of 25mg of inhaled cannabis which contained exactly ten percent of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, smoked single inhalations by pipe three times each day for five days, provided moderate decreases in pain for patients enduring chronic neuorpathic pain (pain linked to nerve injury) in the first few days. The findings had also advocated better moods and aided in betterment of sleep. The reactions were less evident within cannabis strains that had less than ten percent THC in it.

Dr. Ware discloses the patients in which were observed suffered from chronic pain caused from injuries to the nervous system from post traumatic(such as automobile accidents) or post surgical(cut nerves) events and were not managed by conventional treatments. This type of pain happens more often than people admit, and there are limited adequate treatments available. Medical cannabis occasionally is seen as the last prospect in these patients.

Dr. Ware continues this study records a vital step ahead due to the fact it establishes the pain removing actions of cannabis for a short time span for patients enduring neuorpathic pain. This study had employed herbal cannabis from Prairie Plant Systems (under contract to Health Canada for providing cannabis in research and medical intentions) along with a 0 percent THC placebo cannabis from the United States.

Dr. Ware concludes that extensive studies with an extended time frame along with higher doses of THC are required to further determine the efficiency and the safety of using medical cannabis on a long term.

The challenge facing them as researchers and pursue execution of rigid clinical studies on the medical use of cannabis with stern focus to details such as quality and dosage. This will let researchers proceed the debate ahead by giving reputable scientific clinical information.

Back in June 2008, a study had appeared in The Journal of Pain, on cannabis and nerve pain. The study showed that persons with nerve pain had less pain intensity when smoking cannabis. In February of this year, researchers from University of California Center for Cannabis Medical Research had discovered feasible proof that cannabis is a hopeful treatment for some specific pain related conditions.

Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat. Once it is determined what kind of neuropathy you have, only you can decide which treatments are best for you.

Many persons already are using alternative treatments to help with neuropathic pain. Below are the more common ones used.

Chiropractic

Several chiropractic techniques have been used to help reduce inflammation and pain of neuropathic pain. Among them:

Spinal manipulation controlled force applied to the spine moving it beyond its passive range of motion. The amount of force depends on the manipulation used. The end result is to relieve the pain and restore function.

Upper cervical manipulation bilateral rotary cervical stretching and mobilization and vectored high velocity, low amplitude adjustments done on the upper cervical spine

Trigger point therapy applies to tender muscle tissue to decrease pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body.

Tens units electrical nerve stimulation involving passage of low voltage electrical current through electrodes on the skin. Tens is used to treat chronic pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture traditional Chinese medicine using thin stainless steel needles. Placement of needles are on specific places of the body. Acupuncture can decrease the pain intensity.

Herbs

Some types of herbs have been known to help decrease pain levels. A herbalist can help you choose the appropriate herbs which are right for you. Some herbs which may be recommended are St. Johns Wart,Willow Bark and Capsaicin which is found in red peppers and can be purchased as a cream.Sources:

Science Daily

Science Daily June 2008

Science Daily February 2010

Peace Health

Facial Pain Association

Inteli Health

Healing Chronic Pain