Spinal Cord Injury with Spasticity

Medical Marijuana For Spinal Cord Injury With Spasticity

Do you or know of a loved one that has injured their spinal cord to the point where instances of uncontrolled tightening of contraction in their muscles occur? Are current treatment options like medications or nerve blocks not helping pain? Consider speaking with Cross Valley Health & Medicine's Doctor Paul Saladino or Christian Plaza, FNP today about their medical Marijuana Certification Program. Both practitioners are based out of Newburgh NY and can see you or your loved ones in-person or virtually through telemedicine. If you're ready to begin your application for Cross Valley Health & Medicine's Medical Marijuana Certification Program, click the green button below to get started today. 

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medical marijuana for Spinal Cord Injury

What is spinal cord injury with spasticity?

When the communication between the brain and muscles in the spinal cord is injured from a spinal cord injury, muscle overactivity develops. Muscle overactivity is when muscles become tight or contract in an uncontrollable manner. This overactivity may bring fatigue and pain that could result in daily activities being impacted. 

Besides the development of pain, the person may have their range of motion decrease in their joints. Activities such as walking, sitting, or sleeping may become so painful that now the person's quality of life is decreased. 

What is the typical treatment for spinal cord injury with spasticity?

Keeping the person mobile and independent are key goals for the treatment of a spinal cord injury that develops spasticity. Through the use of exercise, medications, surgery, and injections, the quality of life for the impacted person may be enhanced.

The prescribed medications for this condition help relax the muscles and help those with mental health concerns. They may include Baclofen, Benzodiazepines, Dantrolene or Tizanidine. Those who need to keep on moving, they may be recommended to begin both physical and occupational therapy routines. 

For more advanced cases, neurosurgery and other orthopedic surgical procedures may be performed in an effort to eliminate some motor nerves in the spinal root hopefully to stop spasticity from happening. 

How can medical marijuana help spinal cord injury with spasticity?

Medical marijuana takes the marijuana plant's chemicals and then the plant is grown and cultivated specifically to treat a variety of medical conditions. WebMD explained that "the marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the same "high" people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it." Medical marijuana comes in many different forms such as dried leaves, edibles, oils, sprays, and creams.
 
Medical marijuana has currently not been proven to cure all symptoms related to spinal cord injury with spasticity. However, there have been cases where people reported the rate and intensity of their muscle spasms have declined. Also, their pain level has also declined and they can sleep longer and more comfortably. If the person has reservations about using opioids or other controlled substances,  medical marijuana could be good alternative treatment method. 
 

Who is Cross Valley Health & Medicine?

Cross Valley Health & Medicine is a primary care practice located in Newburgh NY, allowing for both virtual and in-person appointments. The practice has two medical providers on staff, Doctor Paul Saladino who is dual board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine and Christian Plaza, who is a family nurse practitioner. Both practitioners are eager to see new patients for the following programs: Substance Abuse Treatment, Behavioral Health Management, HIV/AIDS Care Management, Primary Care, Medical Marijuana Certifications, Medication-Assisted Treatment, STD/STI Care Management, and Weight Loss Management. If you are interested in becoming a patient of Cross Valley, please click here to access our online paperwork portal. Visit us online at www.crossvalleyhealth.com or give our office a call at 845-561-7075.

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