Marijuana and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that affects the hands and fingers, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. It’s caused by pressure on the median nerve, a major nerve in the hand, and travels through the wrist.
The pressure on the median nerve can potentially lead to nerve damage, and symptoms will get worse. In order to prevent permanent damage, the pressure will need to be removed from the median nerve, and oftentimes this will require surgery.
Over time carpal tunnel syndrome will get worse, and this is why early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
Recently, people have begun realizing the potential behind medical marijuana for carpal tunnel symptoms.
Can Medical Marijuana Help With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Medical marijuana may offer some benefits in managing symptoms of carpal tunnel, though this does vary from person to person.
Here’s how it could help:
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Pain Relief: One of the most recognized benefits of medical marijuana is its ability to alleviate pain. The cannabinoids in cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, can interact with pain receptors in the body, potentially reducing the perception of pain associated with CTS.
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Anti-inflammatory Effects: CBD, the primary non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, has anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation contributes to the compression of the nerve in CTS, so reducing inflammation may alleviate some symptoms.
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Muscle Relaxation: Cannabis can have muscle relaxant properties. This relaxation can potentially reduce the tension and pressure in the wrist and surrounding areas, offering relief from discomfort caused by CTS.
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Improved Sleep: CTS often causes discomfort and pain that can interfere with sleep. Certain cannabis strains are known for their sedative effects, which can help improve sleep quality for those suffering from CTS-related discomfort.
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Nerve Protection: There is some evidence suggesting that certain cannabinoids might have neuroprotective properties. While this doesn’t directly treat CTS, it may help in managing the overall health of nerve tissues.
It’s important to note that while medical marijuana may help alleviate some symptoms of CTS, it is not a cure for the condition. The effectiveness of cannabis in treating CTS symptoms can vary widely among individuals.
Additionally, long-term relief often requires addressing the underlying causes of nerve compression, such as repetitive strain or other ergonomic issues.
Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for CTS?
While you may not be able to get your MMJ card explicitly for CTS, you can definitely get a card for the symptoms that carpal tunnel brings.
Chronic pain is a qualifying medical condition for MMJ in most legal states, and carpal tunnel creates chronic pain in those suffering from it.
Here at Elevate Holistics, our doctors will work with you over the phone or computer to ensure that you — and your CTS symptoms — get the relief you deserve.
How to Get an MMJ Card for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
If you’ve been suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, finding relief is important. It’s easy to obtain your medical marijuana card when you know the right steps.
The steps are similar in most states that have legalized medical marijuana. You’ll need to get your medical condition qualified by a cannabis doctor.
At Elevate Holistics we’ve partnered with doctors and dispensaries across the country. We can help you find a doctor to begin the certification process or schedule an in-home appointment through our telehealth services.
Once you’ve been certified you can apply for a medical card. How you do this will change depending on which state you live in.
If approved you can find a local dispensary on our interactive map and begin benefiting from the use of medical cannabis.
Get natural relief from your carpal tunnel with an MMJ card.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often begin gradually and are often felt off and on. This is why most people don’t get diagnosed until the condition is no longer treatable.
There are a variety of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The most common symptom is numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers.
Some of the other symptoms include,
- Pain or tingling that travels up the forearm towards the shoulder.
- Difficulty performing fine movements due to weakness and clumsiness in the hand.
- A shock-like sensation that radiates to the thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers.
- Weakness, numbness, or a loss of proprioception causes you to drop things.
Symptoms often feel worse at night because most people sleep with their wrists bent, and the pain and discomfort will likely wake you up out of your sleep. You can experience symptoms when holding something for an extended period of time with activities that include repetitive motion, such as using a phone, reading a book, or driving.
What is the best treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you can alleviate the symptoms with rest and abstinence from the activities that are aggravating it. Some of the best treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome besides rest include,
- Wearing a wrist splint at night for at least four weeks
- Performing exercises for the hand and wrist
- Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Using cold packs to control the swelling
- Using alternative therapies – yoga, acupuncture, or chiropractic treatment
- Applying CBD creams to the wrist and hand.
Patients who do not respond to the above treatments might need steroid injections to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pressure. Or another option is surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, and surgery is often the last resort.
How can you prevent carpal tunnel?
In order to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, you’ll need to make lifestyle changes. These changes will reduce the risk factors of developing it. These changes include reducing and avoiding the activities that overextend your wrist, paying attention to your hand posture, and treating health conditions that increase your risk of developing it.
You can learn more about how to prevent carpal tunnel by discussing your symptoms with your doctor.
What are the best strains for carpal tunnel syndrome?
There are a variety of strains of medical marijuana – blue dream, northern lights, purple kush, cannatonic, charlotte's web, and many others. All of these strains stem from two main strains Indica and Sativa.
Indica has higher levels of CBD and provides you with a more relaxing feeling without a feeling of being high. This strain is often best for inflammation and controlling pain.
Sativa has higher levels of THC and provides a more energizing feeling but gives you a head high.
The truth is it’s a personal choice since both strains contain both CBD and THC.
