Managing Neuropathic Pain with Medical Cannabis
Neuropathic Pain refers to any form of pain caused by damage or disease to nerves, causing pain signals to be sent to the brain. It can occur in any part of the body. It is estimated that around 7 in 100 people in the UK may suffer from Chronic Neuropathic Pain.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of Neuropathic Pain can vary significantly, depending on the patient and which nerve(s) are affected. However, there are several symptoms that may be an early indicator of Neuropathic Pain, including:
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Stabbing or shooting pains
- Unexplained aches
- A sensation of pins and needles
Other forms of pain can also be linked to Neuropathic Pain. These can include:
- Allodynia – where pain is caused by something that would not usually cause pain (e.g., certain movements, sights or sounds)
- Hyperalgesia – An exaggerated response to pain caused by something that would usually cause mild pain.
- Paraesthesia – Painful or unpleasant sensations in the absence of a stimulus (e.g., pins and needles)
Cause and treatment
There can be a number of causes for neuropathic pain which may affect the way in which symptoms are presented. Some common causes associated with Neuropathic Pain are:
- Systemic conditions - Diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, renal disease, rheumatoid Arthritis, Cancer, or Multiple Sclerosis
- Infections - Shingles or HIV
- Nutritional deficiencies/toxins - Alcohol excess, vitamin B12 deficiency or chemotherapy
- Trauma/compression – Nerve compression/entrapment/injury, trigeminal neuralgia
- Others – Complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb syndrome, spinal cord injury, stroke
A combination of treatments is often needed for the management of Neuropathic Pain. This can often require from a number of medical professionals and can include:
- Physiotherapy
- Psychological therapies
- Modifications to home and work environment
Over-the-counter painkillers (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) rarely have an effect on Neuropathic Pain. The recommended first-line medical treatment for Neuropathic Pain usually includes antidepressants or anti-epileptics.
Medical Cannabis and Neuropathic Pain
Medical cannabis products may be useful in the treatment of neurological pain if other first-line options have failed to offer relief. There is growing evidence to support the potential of cannabinoid-based medicines in pain relief which may be effectively utilised in the treatment of some forms of Neuropathic Pain.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
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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
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FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help manage neuropathic pain?
Yes. Medical cannabis may help reduce nerve-relatedpain, burning sensations, and hypersensitivity often associated withneuropathic conditions. At Cantourage Clinic, we provide personalisedcannabis-based treatment options for patients who haven’t responded toconventional pain relief methods.
Can medical cannabis help manage neuropathic pain?
Yes. In the UK, specialist doctors are authorisedto prescribe medical cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain when standardtherapies have failed. Cantourage Clinic offers regulated, legal access tocannabis medicines under expert clinical guidance.
What types of neuropathic conditions can benefit from medical cannabis?
Patients with conditions such as diabeticneuropathy, post-surgical nerve pain, sciatica, or postherpetic neuralgia maybenefit. Our clinicians typically recommend CBD-dominant or balanced THC:CBDformulations, available as oils, capsules, or vaporised products, depending onthe patient’s needs.
How do I begin medical cannabis treatment for neuropathic pain at Cantourage Clinic?
Start by booking a consultation with our specialistteam. We’ll assess your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment history. Ifappropriate, we’ll prescribe a tailored medical cannabis plan and providecontinuous support throughout your treatment journey.