Back pain is one of the commonest pains that you’ll face in your lifetime. You will take some medications for this condition, but each time you’ll feel like you need to increase the dose or change your medication to get rid of the pain.
Usually, the back pain occurs all of a sudden out of nowhere and can extend even to the neck and legs. The market has many products for the treatment of back pain, but the one that has helped many persons across the globe is Marijuana. This article will be discussing the various Cannabis strains that are good for back pain relief.
Marijuana is a narcotic that has been used for recreational purposes majorly, but now it has found its role in alleviating pain. It contains cannabinoids that helps in the suppression of pain.
Back in 1999, a report was published by the Institute of Medicine which stated that marijuana could be effective for the treatment of pain in spinal cord injuries.
Another research was conducted by the University of Colorado Spine Center that produced results claiming that cannabis relieves back pain more effectively than Opiates, and cannabis is way safer than Opiates. The results revealed that 90% of patients had their pain alleviated after the use of Cannabis.
Studies show that Marijuana is an effective painkiller. A study that was published in Canadian Medical Association Journal stated that cannabis could help in alleviating chronic pain in men and women.
In the study, three different types of marijuana with variable potencies were given to the subjects, and the strengths were rotated with a placebo. The pain in subjects was measured on a 10-point pain scale. There was a significant reduction of pain in all subjects.
Another study by College of Family Physicians of Canada stated in December 2014 that the patients suffering from chronic pain should smoke cannabis to get rid of pain if they don’t find relief from other medications.
The 7 Best Cannabis Strains For Back Pain
Marijuana has some benefits, but the ones we are considering in this article are related to the alleviation of back pain. It can eliminate pain and make one able to carry out routine activities.
It helps you combat the anxiety and depression that come with chronic pain, and it allows one to sleep peacefully recovering from insomnia associated with pain. It improves the overall quality of life.
The best Cannabis strains that can be used for back pain relief include:
1. OG Kush For Back Pain
It is an Indica dominant strain that contains a high amount of THC which tends to produce euphoria, while at the same time alleviating pain and signs of discomfort including muscle spasm.
It has around 23% THC and only 1% CBD. It is a psychoactive strain that is available in almost all local marijuana dispensaries.
2. Headband High THC For Back Pain Relief
It is a hybrid strain that is made from the combination of Sour Diesel and OG Kush. It has THC levels up to 30%, and the CBD level is below 1%. It has a euphoric effect. It relieves pain for a longer duration of time.
3. Gorilla Glue
It is also called as 420 Glue. It is a hybrid strain that is achieved by cross-breeding Chocolate Diesel and Sour Diesel. It has approximately 25% THC. It has a long-lasting effect and immediately relieves pain.
Due to its longer duration of action Gorilla Glue can be used in patients having serious back injuries, chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc.
4. Candyland
It is a Sativa dominant strain that is a combination of Granddaddy Purple and Bay Platinum Cookies. It reduces the tension in muscles, alleviates chronic pain and stimulates your mood resulting in a better mood. It relieves stress and fatigues. It contains around 24% THC and less than 1% CBN and CBD.
5. ACDC
It is a Sativa dominant Marijuana strain. It has high levels of CBD approximately 16-24%. The ratio of CBD to THC is 20:1.
Since the THC levels are too low, this strain is not psychoactive, but it has very strong pain killing effects. It can be safely used in patients suffering from chronic back pain.
6. Harlequin
It is Sativa dominant Hybrid Marijuana strain. It contains a high amount of CBD, around 4 to 10%. Thus it won’t produce any euphoria. So, those who are looking for a strain that won’t make them high yet alleviate their pain can consider buying Harlequin.
It is crossed between Thai, Colombian Gold and Swiss Landrace. It has a very relaxing and calming effect.
7. Uncle Andy
It is not a popular strain, but it is highly effective for a backache. It is covered with trichomes, and it has a fruity smell. The effects are instant and last up to 3 hours.
What Is Back Pain And What Are The Causes of Back Pain?
It is an unpleasant experience that can result from muscle straining or complicated conditions involving disc slip, prolapse or vertebral fracture.
According to the Mayo Clinic, around 80% of Americans will have to experience back pain once in their lifetime, more common in the age group of 35 to 55 years.
The duration of the pain can last for an hour to weeks at times. Pinpointing the exact causative factor of back pain is next to impossible due to the complex anatomy of back and its involvement with the other organ systems of the body.
Some of the prominent causes of Back pain are mentioned below;
- Disc slip/prolapse
- Ruptured disc
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Vertebral column fractures
- Spinal Tumor
- Muscle strains
- Muscle spasm
- Infection
- Abnormal spinal curvature
- Back injury
Back pain can also occur due to improper posture, fast-paced and stressful life, bad mattress, sleeping disorders, etc.
What Are The Various Types of Back Pain?
- Mechanical Pain: Also, called as axial pain, this is commonest one. It is localized to the lower back region, and it is associated with different movements like sitting, standing, twisting, resting, etc.
- Radicular pain: It occurs due to inflammation or impingement of spinal nerve root. It’s an electric, sharp, stinging pain that radiated along the nerve. It is categorized into nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is gnawing and aching, and it occurs after trauma, injury or surgery due to receptors picking up the pain signals. It ceases when the injury heals. Neuropathic pain occurs when there is trauma to nerve tissue that can be caused by infection too. The common example is Sciatica.
- Acute Pain: Comes under the umbrella of Nociceptive pain.
- Chronic Pain: Comes under the umbrella of Neuropathic pain.
- Referred pain Occurs in Gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction.
What Are The Common Pharmaceutical Remedies For Back Pain?
There are various treatment modalities for the management of back pain. Depending on the intensity of pain, the medication is prescribed. Usually, acetaminophen is given to patients. It is an over-the-counter drug. Other prescription only medicines include Voltaren, Celebrex, and Relafen.
If the pain is too severe, your doctor might prescribe you Opioid narcotics. Some of these medications have serious side effects. In our article, we will discuss the various Marijuana strains that have helped people in alleviating back pain.
Final Thoughts on Best Weed Strains For Back Pain
As observed in the article above, Marijuana is an effective option for treating chronic back pain, yet it is important that you start by taking regular pain medications first for any pain. When taking Marijuana, you should always consult your doctor first.