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Spasticity is an extremely uncomfortable and painful symptom of many health conditions. Usually associated with conditions that affect the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries and strokes, spasticity is caused by prolonged muscle contraction and abnormal muscle tightness. Although conventional treatments are available to treat spasticity, unfortunately they do not work for everyone. In these circumstances, cannabis derived spasticity treatments may be considered.
Am I eligible?Over 12 million people around the world are affected by spasticity, including 80% of MS and CP patients.
A 49% reduction was noted in spasticity after 12 weeks of cannabis-based medicinal product usage.
Our representative research found 2/3 of UK adults would consider medical cannabis treatments.
Medical cannabis improved spasticity 2.74 points more than a placebo on the Ashworth Scale, in a US trial.
“Having a medical cannabis card makes me feel better - and that counts“
Daisy, Releaf Patient
October 2023
Articles on Spasticity
View all12. 07. 2023
When applied as part of a tailored and managed treatment plan, medical cannabis has been shown to improve the overall control of epileptic seizures. In fact, it is the only non-pharmaceutical treatment option that has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England for two exceedingly rare forms of epilepsy.
12. 07. 2023
13. 02. 2024
With International Epilepsy Day just passing us by (on the 12th of February), we decided to take a look back at how medical cannabis treatment has added to epilepsy treatment options, the role epilepsy played in essentially forcing medical cannabis to become a legal reality here in the UK, and a look forward to what the future may hold for medical cannabis and epilepsy treatment in the UK.
13. 02. 2024
14. 07. 2023
Neurological disorders. Varied, potentially devastating, and hard to group into one easy-to-digest category. They are essentially diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system conditions and include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, ALS, Bell's palsy, and a huge range of separate neuromuscular disorders.
14. 07. 2023
Muscle spasms
Muscle stiffness
Tight muscles
Muscle fatigue
Involuntary movements
Involuntary contractions
Pain
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
Depending on the cause or severity of your spasticity, the NHS may offer you a range of different treatments. Non-surgical treatments may include a combination of therapy such as occupational therapy and physical therapy, Botox injections, and medications such as:
Gabapentin
Baclofen
Benzodiazepines
Dantrolene sodium
Imidazolines
Tizanidine
Clinic Director
In the UK, if patients have been unable to meet their needs with conventional spasticity treatments, they may be considered eligible for cannabis-based treatments with Releaf.
This is because there are a number of therapeutic benefits associated with medical cannabis that may prove useful when treating spasticity. For example, when applied appropriately, medical cannabis has shown potential as a muscle relaxant, can assist in reducing inflammation and pain and improving sleep quality - all of which are common concerns for patients with spasticity.
However, unless prescribed by a specialist consultant for a legitimate medicinal purpose, cannabis remains illegal in the UK. By law, all therapeutic and medicinal applications of cannabis must be overseen by qualified healthcare professionals, like those that work for Releaf.
At Releaf, our team of expert consultants can prescribe medical cannabis spasticity treatments to those who have not responded to conventional treatments routinely prescribed by the NHS.
Using a patient-centred approach to healthcare, Releaf monitor cannabis-based treatment plans for efficacy and safety during regular check-in appointments, where they match up their patients to the doctor who has the most experience and expertise in managing their specific health condition.
