Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain
If you’ve cycled through conventional medications and jumped through every hoop, yet you’re still suffering from a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain or arthritis, cannabis-based treatments may be able to restore your quality of life. At Releaf, our specialist doctors are here to work with you closely to create a bespoke treatment plan that addresses your unique needs - helping you regain control of your health.
Am I eligible?
Chronic Pain
It is estimated that 50% of UK adults are affected by chronic pain. Traditional approaches to treatment often rely on medicines like pill-form opioids, which can come with debilitating side effects and the risk of dependency. Cannabis-based treatment plans are a viable alternative, providing you with regular doctor check ins and a personalised path to better health.
How Can Cannabis-Based Treatments Help?
Cannabis contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which could provide pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and relaxation. It’s been legal to prescribe medical cannabis in the UK since 2018. This means thousands of people, just like you, now have an alternative and effective way to manage their chronic pain.
49%
Of those studied for medical cannabis use are treating chronic pain.
84%
Of study participants say medical cannabis is an effective pain treatment.
#1
Chronic pain is the #1 condition treated at Releaf.
64%
Decrease in use of opioids among chronic pain patients using CBPMs.
Articles on Chronic pain
22. 09. 2023
Can you get a medical cannabis card for chronic back pain in the UK?Â
Medical cannabis is an increasingly popular treatment option for people suffering from chronic back pain. But to legally access it in the United Kingdom (UK), you need a physician registered to the General Medical Council Specialist Register to prescribe you cannabis. That means that, more than likely, your current GP won’t be able to help you get a medical cannabis prescription. NHS medical cannabis patients are not provided with a medical cannabis card, as unlike some other countries, it is not a legal requirement to carry a card. Again, if you are looking for the added protection that holding a medical cannabis card offers, then a private clinic is the best way to go.
22. 09. 2023
Kerry Charron
28. 08. 2023
Is medical cannabis a viable treatment for back pain?
Despite advancements in understanding back pain, the lack of effective and lasting treatment options remains a significant challenge. Managing non-surgical back pain has been identified as a primary contributor to the current issues surrounding the overprescription of opioids. Additionally, post-operative pain management poses a complex challenge for patients undergoing spine surgery.
28. 08. 2023
Sam North
12. 07. 2023
What you need to know: Medical cannabis for arthritis
Patients battling arthritis often experience chronic pain, and when left untreated, the pain associated with the condition can prevent them from carrying out daily activities and living a normal, healthy, fulfilling life. While cannabis has been shown to produce over 110 cannabinoids, there are two that are really showing promise in therapeutic settings, especially when it comes to the potential reduction of symptoms of arthritis.Â
12. 07. 2023
Sam North
What our patients say about us
Kim's story: From sceptical school teacher to medical cannabis advocate
Next in our continuing series of patient stories, we meet Kim, a retired art teacher who has been living with a painful spinal condition for nearly 40 years. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 7 months
Kieran’s story: Tackling arthritis and breaking stigma
Living with arthritis since his late 20s, Kieran's journey to effective treatment has been anything but straightforward. From misdiagnoses and unhelpful medications to the daily pain that impacted his work and well-being, he struggled to find relief. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 7 months
Amber's story: Fighting chronic pain and insomnia with a personally tailored treatment plan
Amber is a mother of three who moved to the UK from Canada 14 years ago. Since she was a child, Amber faced a myriad of health challenges, including joint pain, stomach issues and insomnia linked to a chronic connective tissue disorder. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 5 months
Eric’s story: Ending a 13-year battle with insomnia with medical cannabis
After a car accident triggered his Restless Leg Syndrome, Eric was trapped in a cycle of insomnia, fatigue, and frustration that affected every aspect of his life. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 5 months
Jackie’s story: Persistence through pain and the power of medical cannabis
Jacqueline's health journey has been one of setbacks, surgeries, and ongoing struggles with arthritis and chronic pain, both of which contributed to mental health challenges. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 5 months
Martin's story: Embracing medical cannabis to manage chronic pain
Living a healthy, active lifestyle has always been a top priority for the dad of four and full-time illustrator and printmaker, Martin. But due to the chronic pain from Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) and spinal arthritis, each day is a balancing act between managing his symptoms, pursuing his creative work, and getting all the other day to day stuff done. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 10 months
Mary’s story: Living life to the fullest in her golden years
As more mainstream research shows the benefits of medical cannabis in treating chronic illness, the surrounding stigma in the UK is steadily declining. At Releaf, we’re seeing an increasingly diverse range of people of different ages, religions and ethnicities come through our doors looking for holistic solutions for chronic health issues. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 8 months
Ethan’s story: Reclaiming mobility after a work-related back injury
Ethan was an active hiker and mountain biker before a back injury robbed him of his mobility, making it hard for him to move around his home and perform simple, everyday tasks—let alone walk the trails of the Scottish Highlands. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 5 months
Elisei's story: A father turns to medical cannabis to heal from a work-related injury
Have you ever been forced to work through an injury? To just grin and bear it? This is a decision that thousands of people in the UK face every day. For so many of our patients suffering with chronic pain, taking months off work to heal from work injuries was never a realistic option. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 5 months
Chaos’s Story: From Fibromyalgia Pain to Relief with Medical Cannabis
For years, Chaos has lived with the debilitating effects of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is only just starting to be properly recognised in the conventional medical community, even though it affects millions of people worldwide. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 7 months
Into the Woods: Ryan’s story of pain and perseverance
Ryan’s passion is the outdoors, and there’s nothing he loves more than a long hike through the forest with his trusty dog. For years, Ryan’s pain disconnected him from the natural world. Now, his recent treatment with medical cannabis is finally offering hope. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber a year
Coming into Focus: How a retired filmmaker found relief for his chronic pain without the use of opioids
The growing evidence of medical cannabis’ effectiveness in treating chronic pain is slowly reshaping how we approach health and wellness. However, many GPs in the UK are still quick to prescribe addictive medications like opioids and benzodiazepines before looking at safe, alternative solutions like medical cannabis. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 10 months
Helen’s Story: Parenting, Police, and a Patient's Rights
Diagnosed with a range of conditions, including fibromyalgia, agoraphobia, and PTSD, Helen faced daily barriers that made even simple tasks daunting. Traditional medications only seemed to exacerbate her struggles, leaving her in a cycle of discomfort that made her unable to engage with the most important thing in her life: her family. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 10 months
Rhona's story: From chronic pain to finding strength for gardening and living
Rhona's story is one of resilience and determination. After years of battling through chronic pain and sleeping issues without being able to find a real diagnosis, Rhona was coming to the end of her rope. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 10 months
Educating through experience: How Hollie uses medical cannabis to manage her chronic pain
One of our primary goals at Releaf is to remove the stigma associated with medicinal cannabis, and that’s why Hollie’s story is so important. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 9 months
Josh’s story: Fighting back after a surgery gone wrong
Having your health taken away from you, through no fault of your own, is terrible - especially for someone so used to being extremely active. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber a year
Maxim's Diary: Integrating medical cannabis into my lifestyle
This is Part 3 of Maxim's Diary Series, a series of articles following the journey of Chronic Pain patient with Releaf, Maxim, as he tries medical cannabis treatment for the first time to combat his severe nerve pain. Read more
Condition Pain
Subscriber 10 months
You’ll be Supported By an Expert Medical Team
“Many conditions that lead to chronic pain often respond poorly to conventional pharmaceutical medications. More and more is being understood about how the endocannabinoid system interacts with the more well known pain pathways to work synergistically with these conventional medications. Chronic pain comes with a variety of associated symptoms such as poor sleep, fatigue, brain fog and reduced appetite – all of which treatment with medical cannabis can improve.“
Dr David Tang
Clinical Director
Common chronic pain symptoms
Constant pain
Fatigue
Insomnia
Joint pain
Lack of relief from OTC painkillers
Loss of appetite
Low mood
Reduced quality of life
Sleep disruption
Spasticity
Stress
Tremors
It's important to note that these symptoms are general and may not be exclusive to any specific chronic pain condition. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plans based on individual needs.