Chronic Pain Treatment
There is no cure for chronic pain, but it can be managed. Pain medications, therapies and lifestyle changes can decrease pain levels. Many people find relief from chronic pain by trying different treatments until they find one that works for them.
Pain starts in receptor nerve cells in the skin and organs. (1) These cells send messages along nerve pathways to the spinal cord, which carries them to the brain. Pain medicines reduce or block the messages from reaching the brain.
Chronic pain can be caused by illness, injury or even genetics. It can also be a side effect of some medicines and procedures. Some types of pain, such as migraines and fibromyalgia, are more common in women than men. The risk of developing a chronic pain condition increases as you get older.
Managing chronic pain involves a combination of strategies that may include a prescription painkiller, physical therapy or psychological therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. These therapies can help change the way you think about your pain and teach you how to relax. Alternative medications such as medical cannabis (2) from online healthcare professionals can provide managing pain options and allow you to enjoy a better quality of life. (4)
In addition to medications and therapies, it is important to try to be as active as possible. Getting enough sleep and eating well can also help to control pain. You can learn more about managing chronic pain at Pain Australia (3) . Keeping active can also help reduce stress, which may also be a factor in your pain. For example, doing low-intensity exercise like walking or swimming for 30 minutes a day can lower your stress.
Alternative Treatment For Chronic Pain
Pain can be a significant problem for people with chronic illnesses. It is often a symptom of cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia and some forms of migraine and cluster headaches. It can also be a consequence of the disease lupus, especially in its more severe manifestations. Pain can range from mildly annoying to life threatening and has been associated with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Most common treatments for pain include anti-inflammatories and opiate medicines. These are usually used in conjunction with other therapies and may have some side effects. For example, some anti-inflammatories can cause an upset stomach and NSAIDs have been shown to cause kidney problems in some people. Opiates can lead to constipation and drowsiness. They can also be addictive and have a fatal overdose risk.
There are a number of methods that have been shown to reduce pain, some of which are called integrative medicine. They include massage therapy, osteopathic and spinal manipulation and acupuncture. Acupuncture involves penetrating the skin with thin needles that are activated through gentle and specific movements. Studies of acupuncture have found that it is effective for short-term pain relief. (5)
Other treatments that have been found to help with pain include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, and yoga. CBT helps you change your perception of pain, for example learning to accept the sensation as part of life rather than a symptom of something wrong with you. Other psychological approaches to managing pain are electromyographic biofeedback, hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis.
In addition Medicinal Cannabis has more recently been shown to alleviate and can help with pain management chronic suffers pain conditions.
New Treatment For Chronic Pain
When it comes to the subject of human behaviour, be very careful with the phrase “research has shown”. It may be used to obscure a study’s flaws, misinterpret it or exaggerate its implications. Even in its milder form, “research suggests,” it can distort the meaning of a finding.
Chronic Pain Treatment
Opioids are not considered first-choice treatments for most people with pain, due to the risk of misuse and dependence. Medicinal cannabis appears to be an effective alternative. (6) Several studies have found that it reduces pain and can help people who are taking opioids for pain to lower their dose or stop their use altogether.
In a clinical trial, a placebo can have effects on the body that rival or mimic those of an active medication, according to Ted Kaptchuk, director of the Program in Placebo Studies and The Therapeutic Encounter at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. But the real world is more complicated, he says. “With the exception of opioids, most pain medications are barely better than a placebo,” he writes in a 2020 paper in The BMJ.
Medicinal cannabis refers to the Cannabis Sativa L plant and its cannabinoids that have been cultivated by a physician for a specific patient. It is different from illicit cannabis that is smoked, which can lead to health problems including lung damage and chronic bronchitis.
However it is best to have an online consultation with a healthcare professional who is trained in understanding the benefits and risks for traditional medications and medicinal cannabis in managing pain.
Contact Us
What happens next when you contact us at CannaTelehealth. Our experienced clinical team will contact you and ask you some preliminary questions and eligibility questions to see whether you are a suitable patient for treatment by an online medical cannabis doctor. An appointment will be made that suits. In the main appointments are available on the same day if preferred. The initial consultation will be approximately 30 minutes long and involve a full clinical history taking.
After the consultation the online healthcare professional may elect if appropriate to prescribe you medication, you will receive the prescription as an eScript. It is entirely at the discretion of the online healthcare professional as to what is prescribed.
Contact us at CannaTelehealth – Online Medical Cannabis Clinic.
About Us
CannaTelehealth, specialises in providing online consultations for various healthcare needs, including assistance with alcohol addiction. Our platform is designed to facilitate the use of advanced telehealth technology by medical professionals, ensuring the security and privacy of patient information in compliance with regulations.
We have developed an online system that simplifies the process of booking appointments with qualified and experienced General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, who can assist patients in accessing prescriptions for Medicinal Cannabis for their medical conditions. Our telehealth system is fully supported by our clinical team, guaranteeing that all consultations are conducted by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
Our doctors are authorised to prescribe Medicinal Cannabis under Schedule 8 of the Therapeutic Goods Act. In the initial consultation, your nurse or doctor will collaborate with you to determine the suitability of Medicinal Cannabis for your specific symptoms and conditions. If deemed appropriate, they will then apply for TGA approval for your electronic prescription, which can be presented at your pharmacy of choice.
Medical Cannabis Doctors Online Treatment and Consults
CannaTelehealth’s doctors have extensive experience in assessing patients for medicinal cannabis. Prior to having an online consultation with our healthcare professionals it is a good idea to write down your questions before your consultation so that you don’t forget them.
Our doctors will review your medical history and confirm that you meet the criteria for a medicinal cannabis prescription under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Special Access Scheme. We will then either prescribe medication through the Authorised Prescriber pathway or submit your application to the TGA and you should receive your product within 2 business days.
All our doctors are trained under the TGA authorised prescriber scheme and have detailed knowledge of how cannabis affects the body. Our doctors are also able to recommend the best dosage and type of cannabis for your condition. Our doctors are able to prescribe all forms of medicinal cannabis including capsules, tinctures, sprays and vape cartridges.
The cost of your medical cannabis will vary depending on your condition and the specific product that is recommended for you.
Our clinic offers bulk billing for patients who have been approved by the DVA. This is worth checking for your eligibility criteria for this discounted online consultation.
Book a consultation – Follow the simple steps to engaging with an online health professional who will assess your eligibility for alternative treatments such as medicinal cannabis and what might be the cause of your chronic pain.
To contact us at CannaTelehealth you can either go directly to the website and add your details directly to our ‘Contact Us Form’ We will contact you within 1 hour. Normally our online healthcare professionals who are pain medicine specialists will have a booking time within 1 day if suitable. Alternatively you may contact us via info@cannatelehealth.com.au.
References:
- John Hopkins Medicine ‘What is Pain? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/
- Medicinal cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain Volume 50, Issue 10, October 2021 Luke A Henderson Vicki Kotsirilos Elizabeth A Cairns Alister Ramachandran Chris C Peck Iain S McGregor https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/october/medicinal-cannabis
- Pain Australia – Online Reference https://www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/painaustralia-what-is-pain
- Chronic Pain Jan 2021 https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chronic-pain
- Accupuncture https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/about/pac-20392763
- Exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs in a convenience sample Harm Reduction Journal July 2021 Sinikka L. Kvamme, Michael M. Pedersen, Kristine Rømer Thomsen & Birgitte Thylstrup
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Disclaimer: CannaTelehealth is not promoting the use of medicinal cannabis. Medicinal cannabis does affect every person differently, due to factors such as size, weight, health, dosage, tolerance and age. Medicinal cannabis might not work for you, and you might experience side-effects. Information provided by CannaTelehealth is for educational and informational purposes only. For medical advice, please refer to your doctor. Medicinal cannabis in Australia is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and details about cannabis as a scheduled drug can be found on their website.
