{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/muscle-spasms/2","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1896-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana: Providing Spasticity Relief","slug":"medical-marijuana-providing-spasticity-relief","content":"People with certain neurological disorders or trauma often suffer from\r\nspasticity, which causes painful muscle spasms. Medical marijuana has\r\nbeen shown to help alleviate symptoms in patients with this debilitating\r\ncondition.\r\n\r\nWhat is Spasticity?\r\n-------------------\r\n\r\nSpasticity is a complication of many neurological illnesses, including\r\nmultiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke and neurological trauma like\r\nspinal cord injuries. The [American Association of Neurological Surgeons\r\n(AANS)](http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Spasticity.aspx)\r\nsays spasticity is caused by damage to the portion of the brain or\r\nspinal cord that's in charge of voluntary movement, leading to painful\r\nsymptoms, including:\r\n\r\n-   Involuntary muscle spasms and movements\r\n-   Increased muscle tone\r\n-   Hyperactive reflexes\r\n-   Stiff or tight muscles\r\n-   Inhibited movement and speech\r\n\r\nThe\r\n[AANS](http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Spasticity.aspx)\r\nestimates that 12 million people worldwide suffer from spasticity. For\r\nmany, the symptoms may be mild and may not require treatment. Severe\r\nspasticity, however, can lead to muscle fatigue, uncontrollable muscle\r\nmovements, pain, and joint and bone deformities. Traditional treatment\r\nfor severe spasticity involves:\r\n\r\n-   Oral medications with muscle relaxants such as baclofen\r\n-   Local injections of botulinum toxin (botulism)\r\n-   Physical therapy\r\n-   Surgery, including baclofen pumps and severing of nerve roots\r\n\r\nMany of the traditional treatment methods have side effects. Baclofen,\r\nfor example, has been associated with drowsiness, nausea and vomiting,\r\ndizziness, depression, and muscle weakness. Botulinum has been linked to\r\nmuscle weakness, headache, injection-site infection, and dizziness.\r\n\r\nSpasticity and Cannabis\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nWhen medical marijuana was introduced to Victorian England in the 1840s,\r\nit was recommended for a variety of illnesses and conditions, including\r\n[muscle\r\nspasms](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026).\r\nResearch in the 21st century on cannabis and spasticity are now\r\nproviding support for this historical use, especially in relation to the\r\nendocannabinoid system.\r\n\r\nSpasticity and the Endocannabinoid System\r\n-----------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe endocannabinoid system is a critical part of the nervous system. It\r\nhelps maintain balance between the synapses; the structures involved in\r\ncommunication between nerves and other tissue, such as muscle. Damage\r\nfrom injury or disease, like lesions from multiple sclerosis, can\r\ninterrupt this balance, causing spasticity.\r\n\r\n[Research](http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.327.9531&rep=rep1&type=pdf)\r\non tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the cannabinoids found in medical\r\nmarijuana, shows that THC improves spasticity in persons with multiple\r\nsclerosis. THC is taken up by the endocannabinoid system, blocking the\r\ninflammatory action of the lesions and improving communication between\r\nnerves and muscles. Furthermore, by reducing the inflammation, cannabis\r\nnot only controls pain but may protect against further degeneration of\r\nthe nerves, thus [slowing disease\r\nprogression](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18781983).\r\n\r\nThe Future of Spasticity Treatment\r\n----------------------------------\r\n\r\nA [review\r\nstudy](https://www.wsma.org/doc_library/LegalResourceCenter/MedicalCannabis/Med%20Mar%20-%20Pharmacologic%20and%20Clinical%20Effects.pdf)\r\nby researchers from the University of Colorado looked at a dozen studies\r\non the effects of cannabis on spasticity. The overall results support\r\nthe use of cannabis as spasticity treatment, It appears that medical\r\nmarijuana may be just what is needed to relieve the severe, debilitating\r\neffects of spasticity.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/14496295784/in/photolist-o5ZiGd-o5ZUh3-qkGYqz-poHKMW-q4i9b2-q49DbA-q49Dem-9r5Zc6-mH1pQ-mHaCu-eEZMgX-mGDZA-mHaFv-mHaE5-4NSECP-mGJ7y-eEZM4K-eEZNNr-8WiF9F-8WmKM7-mGFrr-mGKtE-mGLaZ-mGGGv-mGKaX-mGYcr-mGJXr-mGYpG-mGDwq-mGD3W-cM7YRj-8GHvbE-tQoSJg-mGKTa-mGH8b-mGGdr-mGED3-mGEZY-mGHD7-mGFPU-mGYJK-mGJAo-4NSDJK-pAdSaP-dZM25Z-ioUBs-c9ZLCw-eF6UgN-eEZNAK-eF6U2G)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.4388489208633093,"src":"/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/14b42/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/f836f/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg 200w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/2244e/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg 400w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/14b42/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg 800w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/47498/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg 1200w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/57f5e/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.jpg 1477w","srcWebp":"/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/58556/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/61e93/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp 200w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/1f5c5/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp 400w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/58556/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp 800w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/99238/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp 1200w,\n/static/7040cb37784873117cd42709842c9db3/b3034/89b5a118b53a2c9ecc6e291321038d19.webp 1477w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1902-markdown","title":"Easing Muscle Spasms with Medical Marijuana","slug":"easing-muscle-spasms-with-medical-marijuana","content":"A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle. Anyone\r\nwho has suffered through a \"Charlie horse\", a sudden tight cramping of\r\nthe thigh muscle, has experienced a muscle spasm. Most people will\r\nsuffer a transitory muscle spasm or \"cramp\" on occasion throughout their\r\nlives, but others will have ongoing occurrences. Muscle spasms and\r\nspasticity are symptoms of various chronic debilitating diseases, most\r\nnotably multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, ALS (Amyotrophic\r\nLateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), and\r\nTourette's Syndrome. Muscle spasms also occur due to spinal nerve\r\ninjuries and stroke, and they are associated with paraplegia. While\r\nconventional treatment offers small benefit with a risk of serious side\r\neffects, [medical marijuana shows\r\npromise](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224382/) as a safe and\r\neffective treatment for muscle spasms associated with these debilitating\r\nconditions.\r\n\r\nCurrent Treatment Options\r\n-------------------------\r\n\r\nConventional treatment for muscle spasms generally consists of [muscle\r\nrelaxants](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02298868) or\r\nbarbiturates, both of which have high potential for abuse and a long\r\nlist of serious side effects. Common side effects include nausea,\r\ndizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbance, memory problems, and\r\nmuscle weakness. More dangerous side effects can include slowed\r\nheartbeat and shallow breathing, seizures, hallucinations, and sudden\r\nmuscle weakness. Serious allergic reactions are a possibility, and coma\r\nand death have been reported.\r\n\r\nCannabis for Muscle Spasms\r\n--------------------------\r\n\r\nMS patients, including high-profile personalities such as talk show host\r\nMontel Williams, have long regarded medical marijuana as an effective\r\ntreatment for symptoms. Although the mechanism of action isn't\r\nwell-understood due to the historical limitations on cannabis research,\r\nit is well-established that marijuana is effective for [relieving muscle\r\nspasms](https://www.wsma.org/doc_library/LegalResourceCenter/MedicalCannabis/Med%20Mar%20-%20Pharmacologic%20and%20Clinical%20Effects.pdf)\r\nand accompanying pain without the serious side effects associated with\r\nconventional drugs. Theory states that cannabidiol, one of the active\r\nchemical compounds in marijuana, \"turns on\" nerve receptors that affect\r\nmotor functioning. This makes it a [plausible\r\ntreatment](http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/cannabis/practitioners/dosage.pdf)\r\nfor many conditions involving muscular spasms.\r\n\r\nCannabis-Derived Pharmaceutical Awaits Approval\r\n-----------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nBritish pharmaceutical company, GW Pharmaceuticals, has developed a\r\ncannabis-derived MS drug which has so far been approved in 15 countries,\r\nincluding Canada and Great Britain. The drug, called\r\n[Sativex](http://www.gwpharm.com/Sativex.aspx), is a sublingual spray\r\nthat contains both THC and cannabidiol in a 1:1 ratio. Although it isn't\r\ncurrently available in the United States, it has been fast-tracked by\r\nthe FDA and is awaiting approval, hopefully by 2016.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23307937@N04/4032015831)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/14b42/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/f836f/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.jpg 200w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/2244e/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.jpg 400w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/14b42/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.jpg 800w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/16310/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/58556/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/61e93/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.webp 200w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/1f5c5/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.webp 400w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/58556/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.webp 800w,\n/static/ec167e1c5491aeba083934643e203ca8/cc834/83dd8eab980986f97a0350a861dfa842.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":12,"numPages":2,"currentPage":2,"id":5544,"name":"Muscle Spasms","slug":"muscle-spasms","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}