There is a wealth of research available now that points to medical marijuana being a potentially excellent treatment for pain—and patients are taking note. More specifically, medical marijuana and CBD for sciatica pain are popping onto patients’ radars, and for good reason. There appears to be a number of CBD strains for sciatica pain that are effective at mitigating symptoms.
Let’s read on to find out more about how cannabis for chronic pain can help you manage and treat symptoms you may be experiencing.
What Is Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica pain is pain that derives from the sciatic nerve which is located in the lower spine and extends downward.
Even a small irritation of this nerve can result in debilitating pain for the patient. Typically, the pain comes as a result of a compressed nerve in the lower spine and many, many people struggle with sciatica pain; about 40% of people will experience sciatica pain at least once in their lives.
Sciatica Pain Treatment Options
So, how do we treat sciatic pain?
Medical marijuana for pain relief (especially CBD for sciatica pain) is a great option to help relax muscles and mitigate pain, leading to potentially very positive outcomes for the patient. There’s a wealth of research about medical marijuana for pain relief across a spectrum of conditions, and it appears that cannabis is also effective at treating sciatica pain as studies have begun to make connections between THC and its impact on reducing nerve-related pain.
Traditionally, sciatica pain can also be treated with a number of methods ranging from holistic treatments (yoga, massage therapy, and acupuncture) to over-the-counter medications or prescriptions such anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and even opioids. In some cases, your doctor may even recommend injections of a corticosteroid medication into the area surrounding the sciatic nerve.
While these are all effect methods of treating sciatica, with opioids, however, there are some health risks that comes along with such powerful painkillers. One journal paper even went as far as to suggest that physicians should opt for medical cannabis treatment over opioids if possible. That of course makes sense considering cannabis has fewer severe side effects compared to opioids.
Research on Medical Cannabis (CBD) and Sciatica Pain
There exists a wealth of studies showing the positive effects of cannabis for chronic pain, and sciatic pain is included in that body of research.
An in-depth clinical review found that cannabis can be an effective treatment option for nerve-related pain, which includes sciatica pain.
Combine this with the growing body of research on medical marijuana for pain relief in general, and it appears more and more every day that cannabis can be an effective treatment option for your pain symptoms.
CBD Strains for Sciatica Pain
We’ve established that cannabis may indeed be effective as a treatment option—now it’s time to determine which strains are best for treating sciatica pain.
As such, let’s take a look at CBD strains for sciatica pain. Remember that CBD is non-intoxicating, so it is often a safe choice for patients who want the benefits of medical cannabis without encountering the psychoactive effects typically (and mistakenly) associated with all forms of medical cannabis treatments.
A few of the best CBD strains for sciatic pain include:
- Blackberry Kush
- Grape Ape
- ACDC
- Bubba Kush
There are also many products that contain cannabis that could be helpful in treating sciatica pain. Typically, when discussing CBD at least, you’ll see it broken down by the content of THC.
For instance, full-spectrum CBD means a CBD product with no more than 0.3% THC content. Broad-spectrum CBD, by contrast, mixes both THC and CBD, potentially inducing that euphoric high sensation.
And CBD isolates are pure CBD without any other cannabinoids.
Consult with a healthcare professional if you’d like to learn more about the different strains and which would be best for you.
About Medical Marijuana Consulting
Now that we understand how CBD for sciatica pain works (and medical marijuana for chronic pain more broadly) if you’re ready to consult with a healthcare professional about your treatment options, then visit us at Medical Marijuana Consulting (MMC).
As a leading cannabis clinic in Canada, we’ll help you identify the right medication as well as obtain a medical marijuana prescription for your symptoms.
MMC is a premier cannabis clinic that’s committed to supporting Canadians as they connect with medical professionals with extensive medical marijuana expertise. Consult with a team of physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners that can provide prescriptions, help connect you with coverage for your prescription costs (if eligible), refer you to a licensed producer, and help you apply for the ACMPR license.
At MMC, it is our goal to help every patient that could be helped by medical cannabis access the medication. Join our Ambassador Program and receive $15 for every person you refer to MMC that becomes a patient.
To learn more about Medical Marijuana Consulting and how you can secure a prescription as part of your personalized medical cannabis treatment plan, book a consultation online, contact us at 844-312-5143, or email us at patientcare@medmc.ca.
