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Conditions
Chronic Pain
Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis medical cannabis treatment

Ankylosing spondylitis, or axial spondylarthritis, is a rare inflammatory disease that overtime causes vertebrae in the spine to fuse together. This makes the spine less flexible, and in turn, causes pain and stiffness - as well as affecting the person's breathing, and their posture. While these symptoms can be generally managed with conventional anti-inflammatories and painkillers, for some these methods are ineffective and so, they may be keen to explore alternative treatment methods for ankylosing spondylitis - medical cannabis being one of them.

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0.05%

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rare condition that is believed to affect between 0.05% and 0.23% of the population.

32%

Self-reported data from patients with AS shows after administrating cannabis, pain scores reduce by an average of 32%.

1

In the UK, GPs typically only see 1 person each year that presents with new onset ankylosing spondylitis.

Common

In the UK, the most common condition that is currently being treated with medical cannabis is chronic pain.

“Having a medical cannabis card makes me feel better - and that counts“

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Daisy, Releaf Patient

October 2023

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Articles on Ankylosing spondylitis

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06. 09. 2023

Is medical cannabis effective in managing pain?

If you are looking for a complementary pain management solution to add to your existing treatment plan, you are anything but alone. Right here in the UK, around 34% of the population (that's close to 15.5 million people) are affected by chronic pain. Chronic pain is an unwelcome passenger on the journey for many patients living with long-term medical conditions, and is a common symptom of countless diseases and illnesses.

29. 09. 2023

A guide to medicinal cannabinoids for pain

With the introduction of medical cannabis here in the UK, patients are now able to access cannabis based medical products (CBMPs) in the treatment of pain. And while this is great news for many, the world of CBMPs can be daunting – especially when there are so many cannabinoids at play.

Symptoms

Pain (especially back pain)

Swelling

Inflamed joints

Fatigue

Stiffness

Sleep disruptions

Anxiety and/or depression

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.

Treatment options:

In the UK, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are typically the first type of treatment prescribed to manage ankylosing spondylitis. For some, these may be paired with conjunctive analgesics and lifestyle adaptions for extra symptom management.

Naproxen

Celecoxib

Etoricoxib

Diclofenac

Codeine

Corticosteroids

Sulfasalazine

Methotrexate

Find out if you may be eligible for ankylosing spondylitis medical cannabis treatments here
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A word from our specialist

“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

Clinic Director

Can patients with ankylosing spondylitis receive medical cannabis treatments in the UK?

In the UK, patients who have been unresponsive to traditional, licensed treatments that are used to treat and manage ankylosing spondylitis may be considered eligible for medical cannabis treatments at Releaf. 

This is because of the effect cannabis-derived treatments can have on common symptoms people with ankylosing spondylitis encounter, such as pain, inflammation and disturbed sleep. The effects medical cannabis can have on inflammation and pain are well noted and evidenced, and scientific research in this area is extensive compared to cannabis’ other associated effects. 

For example, in 2021 a systematic review that analysed 26 scientific articles concluded numerous chemicals contained within cannabis, including CBD and CBG, have anti-inflammatory properties, and these can be harnessed therapeutically. 

Another case series published in 2023 analysed the responses of 3148 Australian patients who were using medical cannabis. Over 74% of those involved were using cannabis-derived treatments to manage their pain, and after commencing treatments, significant improvements were seen in all 8 domains of health included on the SF-36 health survey.

These domains are physical functioning, physical role limitations, bodily pain, energy and vitality, social functioning, emotional role limitations, and general health perceptions. It is important to note that medical cannabis is not a ‘cure all’ and it is not a suitable option for everyone. However, for those struggling with conventional treatments, medical cannabis may be an option worth considering. Find out if you may be eligible today. 

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