Chronic Pain can lead to depression, addictions, anxiety, stress, isolation, and even suicide. Finding relief from pain is critical to having the quality life you deserve. Traditional pain medications only mask the pain, and they are addictive in nature and often stop working with extended use. For those who truly suffer from chronic pain, which is millions of Americans, many of them would do almost anything to find relieve.
Over 116 million people suffer from various types of chronic pain disorders ranging from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, neuropathy, back, hip and neck pain just to name a few. Whether trauma or degenerative diseases have caused your pain, the consensus is usually the same; people want their pain to go away.
The most common treatment for chronic pain is to mask it with narcotic prescription pain medications. Narcotics like Opioids are highly addictive, and our state is currently leading the country in abusing the drug and overdose episodes. The CDC reports that nearly half of all opioid-related deaths are due to the narcotic being prescribed for pain related circumstances such as lower back pain, nerve, and joint disorders, arthritis, and spinal injury.
Is Medical Marijuana a Valid Option for Chronic Pain?
Medical Marijuana has significantly helped countless individuals with chronic pain.
Our brain and nerve cells have cannabinoid receptors, so our bodies naturally react to cannabis (medical marijuana). The structure of cannabis interacts directly with our cells. Our natural endocannabinoid system works synergistically with medical marijuana (MM), creating a multitude of beneficial reactions in the body. The endocannabinoid cells have tiny receptors that take in chemicals and produce responses. This natural system in our bodies regulates things like pain-reception, mood, sleeping, immunity, pleasure, memory and much more.
Medical marijuana is made up of THC, CBD, and terpenes. The CBD is known to bind to receptors and is thought to regenerate cells and brain function, while THC helps to relax and alleviate the physical symptoms of pain and apprehension, and terpenes have healthy healing properties There are different levels of MM, some with higher THC, some with very low THC depending on the disease being treated.
The advantage of Medical Marijuana in treating a wide array of conditions from multiple disorders is hard to dispute. Many patients who have suffered for years with chronic pain and have become dependent on narcotics have not only had improvement in their pain but have also been able to stop narcotic use altogether. Many states where medical marijuana was legalized, report significantly fewer pain medications being prescribed each year.
You must visit a physician that is licensed to recommend Medical Marijuana.
Internal Medicine Partners of Naples
Along with comprehensive medicine and wellness, Internal Medicine Partners also specializes in antiaging. Their doctors, Dr. Blanco, and Dr. Rodriguez are recognized in the Naples community for great dedication to their patients and quality of care. They are experienced Hospitalist at NCH Community Hospitals. Both are Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Internal Medicine Partners of Naples offers traditional medicine both in their practice and hospitals providing their patients with the best quality and continuum of care.
Dr. Ralph Rodriguez
Dr. Ralph Rodriguez, MD, is a Board Certified Internal Medicine physician more than ten years of experience practicing medicine in different settings. Dr. Rodriguez started his career at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, where he completed his medical degree and residency program in Internal Medicine. He relocated to Fort Myers, FL on 2008 and worked for Lee Memorial Hospitals, and then decided to join NCH Hospitals of Naples, FL where he currently practices as Hospitalist physician since 2010.
He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, Collier County Medical Society, The American Professional Wound Care Association and he’s the Treasurer for Hispanic American Doctors Association of SWFL. He is also certified in Hyperbaric Medicine & Problem Wound Care Management and is experienced in Platelet Rich Plasma treatments.
Dr. Alejandro Blanco
Dr. Alejandro Blanco, MD, is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He obtained his Medical Degree in the Autonomous University of Guadalajara School of Medicine in Mexico. Then he completed his education as Internal Medicine Physician in Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital in Puerto Rico in 2012. He relocated to the beautiful city of Naples FL and worked as Hospitalist in NCH Hospitals.
Dr. Blanco is member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Collier County Medical Society and The American Professional Wound Care Association. He is also certified in Hyperbaric Medicine & Problem Wound Care Management and is experienced in Platelet Rich Plasma treatments.
Please contact Internal Medicine Partners today to find out more about your options and to schedule a consultation. Hablamos español.
Internal Medicine Partners
1726 Medical Blvd Suite #201
Naples, FL 34110
(239) 596-8804 or 8806
Questions: admin@impnaples.com