Cannabis and Sciatica: What You Should Know

Sciatica is an extremely painful and long-lasting condition that can disrupt your daily activities. Out of the many treatment options available for sciatica, one is medical cannabis. Marijuana is quite beneficial in relieving the symptoms of chronic illnesses like sciatica. In this article, we will learn about the causes and symptoms of sciatica and how cannabis can help deal with it.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a debilitating pain that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs down from the lower back to your feet. Any injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve causes severe shooting pain that radiates through your back and hip. Sciatica is a qualifying condition for getting a medical marijuana card. Some common causes of sciatica include:

• Herniated Disc: 

Slipped discs can result from acute back injury or wear and tear over time.

• Spondylolisthesis: 

Spondylolisthesis is often caused by trauma, fracture, or osteoarthritis.

• Back Injury:

Accidents, falls, sports injuries, or poor posture can damage your spine.

• Piriformis Syndrome:

This is a rare disorder of the muscles and nerves in which the piriformis muscle exerts pressure on your sciatic nerve. The Piriformis muscle is a flat band-like muscle located in your hip, near the top of the hip joint.

• Spinal Stenosis:

Spinal stenosis occurs when the space inside your backbone is too small. It is the abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes tingling sensations and pain in your arms and legs.

What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

The symptoms of sciatica can vary from mild pain to severe aches and burning sensations. Mobility, sneezing, or coughing can worsen the pain. Common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Numbness
• Tingling sensations like pins and needles
• Muscle weakness
• Stabbing, burning, or shooting pains

The symptoms can intensify if the disease is not addressed on time. Symptoms of severe sciatica include:

• Sciatica in both legs
• Numbness
• Loss of bladder or bowel function
  
  

What Treatment Options Are Available for Sciatica?

Approximately 40% of Americans experience sciatica at least at some point in their life. Therefore, a lot of treatment options are available to cure the disease, ranging from prescription medicines and over-the-counter painkillers to exercise, physical therapy, and even surgery in extreme cases. Medical cannabis is a viable option for treating sciatica patients. Apart from cannabis, opioids are also being used for treating chronic pain conditions like sciatica. However, opiates have the potential for abuse and fatal overdose. On the other hand, low THC levels in medical marijuana make it less addictive.

Is Weed Good For Sciatica?

Nowadays, medical marijuana has been frequently used for curing back pain. Marijuana contains two chemicals: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both interact with the body differently.

• THC: The THC present in cannabis helps reduce connections between the parts of the brain that process sensory signals.
• CBD: Cannabidiol found in marijuana has anti-inflammatory properties. CBD is known for treating the symptoms of sciatica. For instance, it reduces pain and fatigue, improves sleep and mood, and relieves psychological distress.
  
  

How Does Medical Cannabis Differ from Recreational Weed?

Medical cannabis is different from recreational cannabis in terms of THC levels. The THC levels in medical marijuana are relatively low. THC is the main psychoactive agent in weed that makes you feel high. However, it can cause hallucinations and paranoia and cause you to struggle with normal functioning. The lower THC levels in medical cannabis mean you may be able to take it without these effects.

Does Cannabis Help With Sciatica Pain?

The THC and CBD present in marijuana help relieve the symptoms of sciatica in many patients. Here is how cannabis can benefit sciatica patients:

• Reduced Pain Sensitivity

Both CBD and THC have the potential to reduce pain associated with sciatica. THC changes the body’s perception of pain by directly interacting with cannabinoid receptors present in the brain and spinal cord. Moreover, CBD also lessens the activity of these receptors, thereby reducing pain sensitivity. 

• Anti Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation along the sciatic nerve or its adjacent tissue can aggravate the sciatic pain. CBD has potent anti-inflammatory properties. It targets receptors in the body to reduce inflammation and swelling associated with sciatica. 

• Relief From Muscle Spasms

Sciatic patients often experience muscle spasms, which cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Cannabis plays an important role in relaxing spastic muscles. It reduces muscle tension and enhances mobility.

• Protection Against Nerve Cell Damage

Research has confirmed the neuroprotective properties of cannabis. It protects nerve cells from getting damaged and increases the neuronal survival rate. Medical marijuana promotes healing in disorders like sciatica.

• Reduces Dependency 

Drugs like opiates are also available in the market to treat the symptoms of chronic pain conditions like sciatica. However, they have a high potential for addiction. Safe and recommended doses of cannabis are a safer alternative.

Is Sciatica A Qualifying Condition For a Medical Marijuana Card?

The eligibility of sciatica patients for a medical marijuana card varies from state to state. Many states include chronic or debilitating illness that causes serious muscle spasms and persists for more than three months as a qualifying condition. Sciatica fulfills this eligibility criteria and therefore, sciatica patients qualify in some states for getting a medical card. Are you or any of your loved ones suffering from sciatica? Do you want to take medical cannabis to get rid of intense pain? Apply for a marijuana card today!

Try Medical Marijuana For Pain Relief

Sciatic nerve pain can diminish your interest in routine activities. Sciatica resulting from a herniated disc, back injury, or spinal stenosis causes a lot of inconvenience by reducing mobility. Medical cannabis can help you get rid of this debilitating pain by reducing sensitivity, inflammation, and muscle spasms. It has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of sciatica within 12 months. Therefore, if you are looking for a medicine to treat your nerve pain, cannabis can be an excellent pain relief medicine.