Managing Back Pain and Sciatica with Medical Cannabis
Back pain may be caused by a range of issues. It can occur from nowhere or be caused by anything from a specific trauma or injury to arthritis. Back pain can occur at any age but more commonly in people aged between forty and fifty-five years old. Pain can spread down to the back to the legs also, disguising itself as Sciatica.
What are the symptoms?
Sciatica has its own symptoms which are usually present in the bottom, legs and feet. These can include:
- Shooting pains, stabbing and/or burning sensations
- Pins and needles and/or tingling
- Weakness
- Numbness
These particular symptoms will usually be present alongside back pain and can even become worse than the back pain itself. If you are only experiencing back pain, it's likely not sciatica.
Cause and treatment
Sciatica occurs when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve. The condition can be caused by a number of different things, including:
- A slipped disc. When the soft tissue between the bones in the spine pushes out
- Spinal Stenosis. The narrowing of the part ofthe spine where nerves pass through
- Spondylolisthesis. When one of the bones in your spine slips out of position
- An alternative back injury
Some activities and behavioural practices, such as unsafely lifting heavy objects, bad posture, being inactive and overweight, can also make the development of sciatica more likely.
Sciatica may sometimes improve on its own, usually within four to six weeks; however, there are also some things you can do to help recovery. These include:
- Staying active
- Heat packs on the painful areas
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Gentle exercise
- Physiotherapy exercises for sciatica
- Sleeping with a pillow between the knees
If symptoms of Sciatica continue past four to six weeks, more advanced treatments may be offered, including:
- Physiotherapy
- Prescription painkillers or painkilling injections
- Surgery – an operation called decompression may sometimes help to relieve sciatica
- A procedure that seals some nerves in the back to prevent them sending pain signals
- Psychological support
Medical Cannabis and Sciatica
Medical cannabis may be considered as an alternative medication when other therapies have failed to manage symptoms and pain satisfactorily. Cannabis medications may be useful as an alternative to opioids, reducing the risk of side effects and developing a dependency.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
What Does
Can° Clinic Pricing Plan Mean for You?
We’ve kept things simple and transparent, so you always know what to expect.
There are no hidden fees, no subscriptions. Just fair, predictable pricing to support your care throughout the year.
Standard Plan
£99
Onboarding fee
Free
Month 1
£29
Month 3
£29
Month 6
£29
Month 9
£186
Total Year 1
Transferring Plan
£50
Onboarding fee
£29
Month 1
£29
Month 3
£29
Month 6
£29
Month 9
£166
Total Year 1
Conditions Specialists
Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist
Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed
As featured on
Blog
Your go-to blog for medical cannabis facts and updates.
FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help with back pain and sciatica?
Yes. Medical cannabis may help relieve persistentback pain and nerve-related discomfort caused by sciatica. At CantourageClinic, we support patients whose symptoms haven’t improved with conventionalpain management, offering cannabis-based treatments designed to ease pain andimprove mobility.
Is medical cannabis legally prescribed for back pain and sciatica in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, specialist doctors can legallyprescribe medical cannabis for chronic pain conditions like back pain andsciatica when other treatments are ineffective. Cantourage Clinic provides asafe, regulated route to access cannabis-based therapies under full medicalsupervision.
What types of cannabis-based products are used for back pain and sciatica?
Depending on your symptoms and needs, ourclinicians may prescribe oral oils, capsules, or vaporised cannabis. Theseproducts can help manage inflammation, nerve pain, and muscle tension—oftenusing formulations that combine CBD and THC to achieve both pain relief andrelaxation.
How can I begin medical cannabis treatment for back pain at Cantourage Clinic?
It starts with aclinical consultation. Our doctors will review your medical history, painseverity, and prior treatments. If cannabis is appropriate, we’ll prescribe atailored plan and support you with expert guidance throughout your treatmentjourney.