The providers at Louisiana Pain Specialists strive to employ a multi-faceted approach to treat our patients’ pain. We employ training, research, constant education to stay abreast on all advancements and developments for the treatment of chronic pain to best serve our patients’ needs. A growing body of clinical research and a history of anecdotal evidence support the use of cannabis for the relief of some types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, and musculoskeletal pain. In addition to interventional pain procedures and medication management, Louisiana Pain Specialists is proud to offer therapeutic marijuana evaluations and recommendations to patients who are suffering from chronic pain and who may have failed other traditional therapies.
Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the “high” people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it. Some research suggests cannabinoids might, among other things, reduce anxiety, control nausea/vomiting related to chemotherapy, and reduce inflammation and help control pain. In fact, the greatest amount of evidence for therapeutic benefit relate to reduction of chronic pain, nausea due to chemotherapy, and spasticity related to MS. Each state has its own laws that dictate the use of medical marijuana. Under Louisiana’s Therapeutic Marijuana Act, patients who wish to be treated must have a doctor’s recommendation and a qualifying medication condition to qualify. Some of these “qualifying conditions” include, but are not limited to, chronic pain cancer, HIV/AIDS, seizure disorders, PTSD, or patients receiving palliative care. One medical marijuana pharmacy — regulated by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy — is authorized to operate in each of the nine regions of the state established by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Responsible cannabis access use of therapeutic marijuana (TM) is associated with reduced rates of opioid use and abuse, opioid-related hospitalizations, opioid-related traffic fatalities, opioid-related drug treatment admissions, and opioid-related overdose deaths. Many of our TM patients report excellent pain relief, improved sleep, decreased anxiety, decreased need for opioid medication, and increased function and quality of quality since beginning and maintaining a TM regimen. Just like any therapeutic treatments, there are always associated risks with TM, and these should be discussed with your provider.
If you think you may be a good candidate for therapeutic marijuana, call our office today to discuss scheduling a Therapeutic Marijuana Consultation. Let us try to use every tool in our toolbox to help treat your chronic pain!
