No matter where I go, I always wind up talking shop- even when I’m on vacation. Back pain is everywhere, and someone always wants to bounce their thoughts on the topic off of me. This time, I was cornered at a wedding by someone who wanted to know what I thought about using marijuana for the treatment of their low back pain.
In the US, this is a way more complicated issue than it is where this conversation took place- Jamaica, where marijuana is often viewed as a cultural staple.
There has been a lot of discussion recently about the changing laws regarding marijuana use for medicinal purposes. Several states have modified or completely rewritten their laws in recent months to either make pot easier or harder to get, depending upon where you live and upon your particular circumstances.
I don’t want to get into the legal aspects of marijuana use- it is far too complicated an issue to get into here. This wedding guest asked me point blank whether I thought pot was useful for the treatment of low back pain.
My answer to this question is in three parts:
1) I think marijuana is a good muscle relaxant, and additionally reduces the perception of pain such that pain sufferers do not notice it as much.
2) Too much marijuana can ultimately decrease your activity levels, keeping you from going out and re-establishing good body mechanics as the source of your pain heals/resolves. And…
3) there is frequently some weight gain associated with pot smoking (the oft cited ‘munchies’ are to blame) which can get in the way of recovery.
I have several patients from around the world who use pot as a method of reducing their pain, and for them it works. I would not condone using something that is illegal, but perhaps that situation will change in the not too distant future. In the mean time, there are several legal alternatives to marijuana- not the least of which would be one of Back Together’s fine products….
Thank you for visiting today. Please keep those cards & letters coming- you help to keep the discussion interesting.
-Andy
Half Moon, Rose Hall Jamaica
