60%
of adults may experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, with 5-7% of people over 45 experiencing chronic low back pain.
2.6 million
new cases of low back are reported every year in the UK.
37%
potential reduction in back pain when treated with cannabis-based products, according to one systematic review of available evidence.
47.5%
of 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted reported being prescribed the medication for chronic pain.
Symptoms
Fever
Legs feel numb or weak
Long lasting pain
Loss of bowel/bladder control
Redness and/or swelling on the back
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have lower back pain. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Treatment options:
Sometimes if your lower back pain does not improve, or becomes more severe, your GP may prescribe analgesics (painkillers) or medicines that relax the muscles in your back. Physiotherapy and manual therapy involving exercise and stretching may be recommended, or CBT to help you develop coping strategies to deal with the pain, or in extreme cases surgery may be recommended.
Anti-inflammatories
Codeine
Diazepam
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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"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 Sue Clenton
Medical Director
22. 09. 2023
Chronic back pain is one of the most common reasons that patients start looking into medical cannabis, but can it actually help? And, if so, can you access it within the UK?
The short answer is yes, medical cannabis may help to alleviate the symptoms of chronic back pain. It is also legally available in the UK to eligible patients, who can receive a prescription from a specialist.
22. 09. 2023
12. 07. 2023
Back pain. What starts as a small niggle can quickly spiral out of control, leading to a lifetime of chronic discomfort. And while there is a huge range of conventional pharmaceutical options available to help manage and control back pain, the need for new, effective therapeutic allies is ever-present. Opioids are the most commonly prescribed pain relief for chronic back aches, but the potential for addiction and other heavy side effects related to long-term opioid use has led to an increased focus on alternative therapeutic options.
12. 07. 2023
28. 08. 2023
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
You may be able to get a prescription for medical cannabis for back pain in the UK, depending on your specific situation, symptoms, and what other treatments you’ve tried or are currently taking. Lower back pain and other forms of chronic pain can lead to a lowered quality of life and associated unpleasant symptoms, which medical cannabis may, for some people, help relieve.
Medical cannabis for back pain has been a legal option for some people since 2018, as long as it is prescribed under strict medical supervision. A GP cannot prescribe medical cannabis for lower back pain, but a specialist clinic may be able to. Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, as shown by our 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from over 9,000 reviews. Our world-class clinical team includes more than 50 specialists, including many with experience helping people better manage chronic back pain.
Chronic back pain is characterised by ongoing symptoms that usually last for 12 weeks or longer. Where the back pain is resolved in a shorter time, it is usually classed as acute back pain, or in some cases, a doctor may refer to the pain as subacute, which is somewhere between acute and chronic.
Does cannabis help back pain? Research suggests that it could offer relief for some people. As well as potentially alleviating pain, there are some associated symptoms that medical cannabis may be appropriate for, in some cases.
For low back pain, medical cannabis treatment in the UK could help with the following symptoms:
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Lower back pain symptoms |
How symptoms present |
Medical cannabis for low back pain: How it might help |
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Lower back pain ranges from a dull, persistent ache in the muscles to sharp, electric-shock-like pains that usually indicate pressure on or damage to a nerve. |
Some research indicates that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is significantly involved in how someone perceives pain. Phytocannabinoids, compounds found in medical cannabis, could offer a potentially therapeutic effect on the ECS, helping some people to better manage lower back pain. |
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Pain can make it difficult to fall asleep, or may cause frequent nighttime waking and other sleep disturbances. Persistent insomnia may contribute toward fatigue and brain fog. |
Multiple studies have explored the relationship between cannabis-based treatments and sleep. A systematic review of evidence from 2022 stated with “moderate certainty” that medical cannabis appeared to offer at least small improvements in sleep quality versus a placebo, even for patients with chronic pain. |
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A lack of sleep and constant pain can lead to intense feelings of being on edge, worried, or fearful. Where the pain is exacerbated by movement, people may become anxious about leaving the house, going to work, or even meeting friends, potentially leading to loneliness and isolation. |
One review of available evidence from 2025 states that 70% of studies on cannabis and anxiety appear to show that both CBD and THC may help with improved symptom management. |
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Pain, sleeplessness, and anxiety that continue for weeks, months, or years can lead to a persistent low mood, feelings of helplessness, and despair. |
There is data from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry stating that depression questionnaire scores for 129 patients were reduced by 50%, on average, after one month of cannabis-based treatment. |
THC is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that causes the feeling of intoxication associated with high doses. This may be due to the fact that it binds directly to receptors within the ECS, potentially impacting various aspects of health and wellness.
CBD may have a more supportive effect, potentially affecting how the ECS responds to other compounds, like THC. Some studies appear to indicate that CBD could lower the risk of adverse effects associated with THC, making the combination of compounds a potentially beneficial approach for pain management, in some cases.
Different types of low back pain require different types of treatment. The cause of your back pain may be an underlying condition that requires specific medication, or it may be a mechanical strain or bone-related disorder that may benefit from physiotherapy or specific exercises. Some nerve-related pain conditions also benefit from physiotherapy, particularly where stretches and exercises can ease pressure on the affected nerves.
Here are a few examples of causes of lower back pain, and how they might be treated:
|
Cause of back pain |
Primary symptoms and how they present |
Typical treatment plans |
|
Sciatica is a form of neuropathic pain that causes sharp, burning pain in the lower back and top of the leg. It’s usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. Symptoms can also include numbness, muscle weakness, and a sensation similar to pins and needles, sometimes all the way down to the toes. |
Gentle exercise and physiotherapy can help, and some people may use heat packs on the affected area. Painkillers may be prescribed, but typical over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol are rarely effective. Medical cannabis could offer some relief, due to its potential for impacting the perception of pain. |
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This inflammatory disease causes bones in the spine to fuse together, reducing mobility and causing back pain and stiffness. Other symptoms include swollen joints and fatigue. |
Specialist physiotherapy, including hydrotherapy, may reduce stiffness and promote mobility. Swimming and stretching can also help. NSAIDs like naproxen or diclofenac may be prescribed to manage the pain. Codeine is sometimes offered if the pain is intense or stopping the person from sleeping. Where painkillers are ineffective, biological treatments may be recommended. Some ankylosing spondylitis patients may be eligible for medical cannabis, which may help manage pain and promote a better night’s sleep, in some cases. |
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Lower back pain is a common symptom of spondylolisthesis, a condition caused by a displaced vertebra. The pain can be worse when walking or standing, and may lead to sciatica. It can also tighten the muscles in the back of the thighs (hamstrings). |
Patients are usually advised to avoid the movements that make the pain worse, and may be prescribed various painkillers or steroid injections. Physiotherapy to strengthen core muscles may also help. Some people may find that medical cannabis helps manage daily pain levels, but also associated symptoms like a dysregulated mood and sleep disorders. |
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Posture |
Some dull aches or sharp, pulling pains in the lower back can be caused by poor posture, a weakened core combined with lifting or twisting, or job-related movements that put undue strain on the core muscles. |
Physiotherapy is usually the first-line approach for postural back pain. Exercises may focus on lengthening and strengthening muscles to reduce tightness and improve mobility. As physiotherapy can take weeks or months to be effective, pain relief may be prescribed in the meantime. For some patients, medical cannabis could help ease persistent pain and related symptoms during the physiotherapy journey. |
You may be prescribed cannabis for back pain in the UK as an addition to existing treatments. It will not replace physiotherapy or regular exercise, treatment for serious inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, or most prescription painkillers.
A consultant will consider your current treatment plan and decide whether medical cannabis fits alongside this, as a potentially holistic approach to improved symptom management.
For low back pain, medical cannabis treatment in the UK may be offered in the following formats:
· Oils
· Pastilles
· Dried flower for vaporisers
Your personal preference and symptoms may determine what type of medical cannabis you’re prescribed.
Like any medication, there is a small risk of side effects with medical cannabis treatments. Some people may experience confusion or feel sleepier than usual the next day, particularly if they take the medication late at night to help them sleep. Others may experience dry mouth, dizziness, or nausea. Where a patient has a condition that could be worsened by these side effects, or may be vulnerable to falls, medical cannabis may not be the best option.
Some people may have experienced worsened back pain linked to cannabis consumption in the past. There is a link between smoking and worsened back pain: one 2022 systematic review of evidence found that smoking tobacco was associated with degenerative spinal disease. There is no similar evidence to link spinal diseases to smoked cannabis. However, medical cannabis is not smoked, but vaped, placed in a vaporiser, or consumed as oils or pastilles.
To learn more about how Releaf works, contact our team or complete the medical cannabis eligibility checker to find out in 30 seconds or less if you could be eligible for medical cannabis for back pain in the UK.
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