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A neuropathic-pain meta-analysis found this number needed to treat for at least 30% pain reduction with inhaled cannabis. The Journal of Pain
UK adults were estimated to live with chronic pain in a systematic review, showing the scale of persistent pain need. BMJ Open
Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. World Health Organization
People with low back pain go on to develop sciatica, where a nerve is irritated. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Could treatment be suitable?
A specialist may assess you if:
- You have a diagnosed condition or an established clinical history.
- Standard treatments have not helped enough or were unsuitable.
- You are 18 or over and live in the UK.
- Your records allow a doctor to review previous care and current medicines.
Understanding the condition
When back pain becomes long-term
Most back pain is short-lived and settles with time and movement, but for some people it becomes persistent and difficult to manage. It can affect the lower, middle or upper back and may be linked to posture, lifting, injury or an underlying condition.
Long-term back pain can limit movement, disrupt sleep and affect mood and work. Despite advances in understanding, lasting and effective treatment can remain a challenge, which is one reason there is concern about the overprescription of strong painkillers.
An accurate assessment helps identify the likely cause and the most appropriate plan, keeping you as active as possible while managing pain.
Recognising the impact
Common back pain symptoms
Back pain affects people differently depending on the cause and the area involved:
- Aching or stiffness in the back
- Muscle tension or spasm
- Pain that limits movement or bending
- Pain that worsens with certain activities
- Pain spreading to the buttocks or legs
- Disturbed sleep and fatigue
Conventional treatments
Conventional treatment options
Most back pain improves with self-care and movement. Recognised options include:
- Keeping active and physiotherapy
- Paracetamol and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen
- Codeine for short-term pain in some cases
- Diazepam only for short-term muscle spasm where appropriate
- Psychological and pain-management support for persistent pain
Although these options help many people, they are not enough for everyone. If back pain symptoms still affect daily life, a specialist assessment can help you understand whether another route may be suitable.
Specialist-led care
Can medical cannabis help with persistent back pain?
For non-specific back pain the direct evidence is limited. Medical cannabis is most relevant where pain has a nerve (neuropathic) component and has not settled with standard care.
Where back pain persists despite standard, licensed options, a GMC-registered specialist can review your history and consider whether medical cannabis may help as part of your wider pain-management plan.
Cannabis-based medicines act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which works alongside the body’s usual pain pathways. Chronic pain often comes with poor sleep, fatigue and low mood, and response can vary from person to person.
At CannaRelief, a GMC-registered specialist reviews your diagnosis, previous treatments and current medicines before deciding whether a trial of treatment is appropriate, and monitors how you respond.
Effects can vary from person to person, which is why a GMC-registered specialist reviews your symptoms, goals, medicines and records before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate.
1
Eligibility screening
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments already tried. No GP referral is needed.
2
Specialist consultation
A GMC-registered specialist reviews your records, goals, current medicines and relevant risks by online video.
3
Decision and follow-up
When treatment is appropriate, outcomes and side effects are monitored and the plan is reviewed.
Evidence
What does the evidence say?
Limited (non-specific back pain); stronger for nerve pain
Evidence for cannabis-based medicines in general low back pain is limited. Where pain is nerve-related, the picture is stronger, so accurate assessment of pain type matters.
- Staying active and physiotherapy are recommended first for most back pain.
- Direct evidence for non-specific back pain is limited.
- Nerve-related (neuropathic) pain has stronger supporting evidence.
Related support
Explore related back pain support
These pages may help if symptoms overlap or you want to understand the wider specialist assessment pathway.
Safety
Possible side effects
Medical cannabis is prescribed under specialist supervision, and patient experience can vary. Your clinician will explain what to watch for and adjust your plan if needed.
- Decreased appetite or feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or weakness
- Dizziness or feeling very tired
- Behavioural or mood changes
They’ll usually ease on their own, but speak to your clinician if they don’t improve over time.
Questions
Back Pain FAQs
Clear answers on eligibility, suitability and legal prescribing in the UK.
Is medical cannabis legal for back pain in the UK?
Medical cannabis has been legal to prescribe in the UK since November 2018, but only a specialist doctor on the GMC Specialist Register can prescribe it, and only when it is clinically appropriate. Eligibility does not guarantee a prescription.
Is medical cannabis a first-line treatment for back pain?
No. Staying active, physiotherapy and standard pain relief are recommended first. A specialist may only consider medical cannabis where these have not helped enough, and after a full assessment.
Do I need a GP referral to be assessed?
No GP referral is needed. You can complete a short online eligibility check yourself, and we will keep your GP informed where you would like us to.
Is an online assessment as reliable as in person?
Yes. Our structured video assessments follow the same recognised diagnostic standards used in face-to-face appointments, with the added convenience of being seen from home.
Will medical cannabis be prescribed if I am eligible?
Not necessarily. A prescribing decision is only made after a full clinical assessment, and treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Find out whether a specialist assessment may be suitable
Complete a short eligibility check. A prescribing decision can only be made after a full clinical assessment by a GMC-registered specialist.