Managing Compressed Nerves with Medical Cannabis
Nerves extend from your brain and spinal cord to send and receive important signals to and from the rest of your body. They play an important role in pain signalling. If you have a pinched or compressed nerve, this can send pain signals and, in more severe cases, cause long-lasting problems with the nervous system. The term “pinched nerve” can refer to a type of damage to a nerve or a set of nerves.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptom of pinched or compressed nerves is unexplained pain. It is important that these warnings are not ignored in order to avoid more serious consequences. Compressed nerves, if left untreated, can lead to both temporary damage and more permanent conditions, such as swelling and scarring. It can also lead to conditions including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.
These are some of the more common symptoms of compressed nerves:
- Pain in the area of compression, such as the neck or low back
- Radiating pain, such as sciatica or radicular pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Pins and needles or a burning sensation
- Weakness, especially with certain activities
- The feeling of having a foot or hand fall asleep.
Cause and treatment
A pinched or compressed nerve occurs when there is a compression on a nerve – this can be the result of repetitive motions or from holding the body in one position for long periods; for example, keeping elbows bent while sleeping. Nerve compression often occurs when nerves are pressed between narrow tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, or bones.
Pain experienced as a result of a compressed or pinched nerves can affect a number of areas on the body. For example, inflammation or pressure on a nerve root exiting the spine may cause neck or low back pain, cause pain to move from the neck and into the shoulder and arms and may even reach the legs and feet.
There are a number of treatment options for compressed nerves – which ones are utilised will depend on the severity and cause of nerve compression. In some cases, simply resting the affected area and avoiding activities that worsen symptoms can be enough to aid recovery.
However, more severe cases could require interventions such as physical therapy and a procedure or surgery to remove the material that is pressing on the nerve. This may be scar tissue, disc material, or pieces of bone.
Medications may also be used to treat symptoms of compressed or pinched nerves. These can include:
- Oral corticosteroids – to reduce pain and swelling
- Prescription painkillers (including opioids) – used for short periods to reduce severe pain
- Steroids – to reduce swelling and allow inflamed nerves to recover
Medical Cannabis and Gastroenterology
Medical cannabis has long been considered a potential alternative to strong painkillers for the management of pain. There is growing evidence that the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) plays an important role in pain signalling. This could make cannabinoids a useful therapy for pain management.
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 relieve pain caused by compressed or pinched nerves?
Yes. Medical cannabismay help ease nerve-related pain, inflammation, and discomfort caused byconditions such as herniated discs or spinal compression. At Cantourage Clinic,we offer personalised treatment plans for patients who haven’t found relief throughconventional therapies.
Is it legal to use medical cannabis for nerve compression in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, specialist doctors can legallyprescribe medical cannabis for chronic or neuropathic pain—including thatcaused by compressed or pinched nerves—when other treatments have failed.Cantourage Clinic ensures prescriptions follow all UK legal and medicalguidelines.
What symptoms can cannabis-based medicine help manage for pinched nerve conditions?
Patients often report improvements in nerve pain,tingling, muscle tightness, and sleep quality. Depending on your symptoms, ourclinicians may recommend CBD-dominant or balanced formulations in oil, capsule,or vaporised form for optimal relief.
How do I access medical cannabis treatment for pinched nerves at Cantourage Clinic?
Simply book a consultation with our specialistteam. We’ll assess your diagnosis, treatment history, and current symptoms. Ifmedical cannabis is suitable, we’ll provide a tailored prescription and supportyou throughout your treatment journey.