What is Somatic Pain? Understanding Its Causes and How Medical Cannabis Can Help

Pain is an inevitable part of life, and it can manifest in many forms. People often misunderstand somatic pain, despite its prevalence. Somatic pain, which can range from a dull ache in your back to a sharp pain from a sports injury, is associated with the body’s tissues, muscles, and bones. In this blog post, we’ll explore what somatic pain is, its causes, and how medical cannabis can be an effective treatment option for those who suffer from it.

What is somatic pain?

Somatic pain refers to pain that originates from the skin, muscles, joints, bones, and ligaments—the body’s somatic (or musculoskeletal) structures. This type of pain is usually well-defined and localised, meaning you can often pinpoint the exact area of discomfort. Somatic pain can range from mild and intermittent to severe and chronic, depending on the cause and individual factors.

Unlike visceral pain, which comes from the internal organs and can be harder to identify, somatic pain is typically easier to locate and describe. This makes it more straightforward to diagnose and treat, though it can still significantly impact your quality of life.

Causes of somatic pain

Somatic pain can arise from many different sources, including:

• Injuries: Physical injuries such as cuts, sprains, fractures, or bruises can cause somatic pain. Damage to tissues like muscles or ligaments directly triggers pain signals.
• Chronic Conditions: Conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle strains can lead to ongoing somatic pain. Over time, these conditions can affect the musculoskeletal system, causing inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness.
• Post-Surgical Pain: After undergoing surgery, many individuals experience somatic pain as the body heals. This pain can be temporary but sometimes lingers if tissues take longer to recover.
• Inflammation: Inflammation in the muscles, joints, or ligaments can cause significant discomfort. For example, tendonitis, bursitis, or other inflammatory conditions can lead to localised somatic pain.
• Muscle Spasms: When muscles involuntarily contract and tighten, it can lead to painful muscle spasms. These spasms can occur in any muscle, from the back to the legs, and cause sudden, sharp pain.

Characteristics of somatic pain

Somatic pain is typically characterised by:

• Sharp or Dull: Depending on the cause, somatic pain can be either sharp, stabbing, and intense (like a fracture) or dull, aching, and throbbing (like muscle soreness).
• Localised: Unlike visceral pain, which can feel like a deep ache and be spread throughout the body, somatic pain is often localized. You can usually identify the specific area that hurts.
• Worsening with Movement: Somatic pain often increases with physical movement, pressure, or certain postures, especially if it involves the muscles or joints.

How medical cannabis can help with somatic pain

While there are various treatments for somatic pain, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising option for those seeking an alternative to traditional pain medications. Cannabis contains cannabinoids, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS plays a key role in regulating various functions, including pain perception, inflammation, and muscle function.

Here’s how medical cannabis can help with somatic pain:

1. Pain relief

Both THC and CBD have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. THC interacts with the CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, helping to modulate pain perception. CBD, on the other hand, works primarily through the CB2 receptors, which are located in the immune system and can help reduce inflammation that contributes to pain. By targeting these receptors, cannabis can alleviate both acute and chronic somatic pain.

1. Anti-inflammatory effects

Cannabis, particularly CBD, has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is a major contributor to musculoskeletal pain, and by reducing inflammation, cannabis can provide significant relief. This is especially beneficial for conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, and other inflammatory disorders that cause somatic pain.

1. Muscle relaxation

Cannabis is known for its muscle-relaxing properties. THC, in particular, can help relax tight muscles, reducing spasms and stiffness. This can be particularly helpful for individuals suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia or muscle strains that cause persistent muscle tension and discomfort.

1. Mood rnhancement and stress reduction

Chronic pain, including somatic pain, can be emotionally draining. Cannabis has mood-enhancing effects that can help reduce anxiety, stress, and depression associated with ongoing pain. This can, in turn, improve an individual’s overall sense of well-being and quality of life.

1. Reduced dependence on opiates

For individuals with chronic somatic pain, medical cannabis offers a potential alternative to opioid-based painkillers. Opioids carry a high risk of dependency and side effects, whereas cannabis has a lower risk of abuse and addiction. Using cannabis for pain management can help reduce reliance on opioids and lower the risk of opioid-related complications.

How to get a cannabis prescription for somatic pain

If you believe that medical cannabis could help manage your somatic pain, the first step is to consult with a healthcare professional. Medical cannabis is legal and prescribed under strict regulations in many countries, including the UK.

Steps to get a cannabis prescription:

1. Consult Your Doctor: Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about medical cannabis. Discuss your symptoms, pain history, and other treatment options you have tried. If your doctor agrees that medical cannabis may be beneficial, they may refer you to a specialist or clinic.
2. Visit a Cannabis Clinic: Specialised clinics like MARUCANNA offer consultations with healthcare professionals who can assess your condition and determine if you are eligible for a medical cannabis prescription. Experts who understand the therapeutic potential of cannabis for pain management staff these clinics.
3. Prescription and Treatment Plan: If you qualify, you’ll be prescribed a specific cannabis product, which may come in the form of oils, capsules, or edible products. We will tailor the prescription to your needs, taking into account the severity of your pain, your tolerance, and other medical factors.
4. Follow-Up and Monitoring: Once you begin using medical cannabis, regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider will help monitor your progress and adjust dosages if necessary.

Conclusion

Somatic pain can significantly impact your daily life, but with the right treatment, relief is possible. Medical cannabis offers a promising, natural alternative to traditional pain medications. Through its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle-relaxing properties, cannabis can help manage the symptoms of somatic pain effectively. If you’re considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, consult with a healthcare professional at a specialised clinic like MARUCANNA to determine if it’s right for you. With proper guidance and a personalised treatment plan, cannabis could help you take control of your somatic pain and improve your overall well-being.