Considering alternative treatments after surgery?
7 min read
Sam North
While surgical complications are statistically rare, the period of recovery can be fraught with its own challenges. Pain, disrupted sleep, and mental health challenges often accompany the physical healing process, and recently medical cannabis has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment for these side effects and symptoms. Let’s find out more.
For most of us, surgery is an unavoidable part of life - whether it's due to a chronic health condition, an accident, or a necessary medical procedure.
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While surgical complications are statistically rare, the period of recovery can be fraught with its own challenges. Pain, disrupted sleep, and mental health challenges often accompany the physical healing process.
And then there are the lingering uncertainties - "What if the surgery didn’t fully resolve the issue? How will this affect my mental health? What can I do if the pain persists for weeks, months, or even years?"
In this context, many patients look to alternatives, seeking treatment options that complement traditional recovery methods. Among these, medical cannabis has quickly emerged as a widely recognised option both here in the UK and further afield, offering a safe, natural, and gentle approach to alleviating post-surgical challenges while being firmly grounded in science.
What are the most common surgeries in the UK and their recovery challenges?
In the UK, emergency procedures such as appendix removals and endoscopies are among the most common, saving many lives but often leaving patients navigating post-operative fatigue and discomfort. Elective surgeries (such as cataract repairs, joint replacements, hernia repairs, and gallbladder removals) address chronic conditions, yet their recoveries frequently involve lengthy recovery periods.
While each surgery is unique, there are some common challenges that patients will often experience during their recovery process:
- Pain: This can range from mild discomfort to severe chronic pain, depending on the type of surgery and individual factors such as age or underlying conditions.
- Sleep issues: Many patients struggle with sleeping after surgery, either due to pain or anxiety.
- Mental health challenges: Post-surgery depression and anxiety are not uncommon, as surgery can severely change daily routines and cause significant disruptions to people's lives.
- Physical limitations: Surgeries can leave patients with reduced mobility, making it challenging to perform simple tasks such as getting dressed or preparing meals.
When factors beyond your control uproot your usual existence, it’s natural to feel unsettled, both physically and emotionally. Routine activities, work responsibilities, and just the normalcy of day-to-day life can feel out of reach during recovery.
The emphasis often falls on finding solutions to regain a sense of balance. Traditional post-surgical recovery protocols focus heavily on physical rehabilitation and pain management through medications, yet these approaches do not always address the broader, interconnected needs of body and mind.
And that's where medical cannabis (often in combination with other alternative and traditional methods) can make a significant difference.
How can medical cannabis help in post-surgical recovery?
Medical cannabis has been shown to offer what is often seen as a surprisingly wide range of health benefits, especially for people who have little to no understanding of the mechanisms behind how medical cannabis works.
The endocannabinoid system and how medical cannabis works
All humans (actually all mammals, to be more precise) have an endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is the largest neurochemical system in the body and is responsible for regulating many of our essential physiological processes, including pain, sleep, mood, digestion, sexual function, the immune response, and so much more.
As the name suggests, the receptors in the ECS have the ability to interact with cannabinoids, and CBD and THC are just two of more than 110 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. These compounds interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which regulate pain, mood, sleep, and inflammation.
THC has been shown to bind to CB1 receptors to reduce pain and promote relaxation (among other therapeutic benefits), while CBD indirectly supports the ECS, offering anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties without the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
What does this mean for patients post-surgery?
For many patients, the benefits of medical cannabis translate into tangible improvements in their recovery journeys. But how does this play out in real life? We spoke with a few Releaf patients to hear how medical cannabis has impacted their lives after surgery.
First, let's hear from Josh, a martial artist who had to undergo shoulder surgery after a training injury. The surgery was supposed to fix the problem, but instead, it left Josh in excruciating pain and unable to do the activities he loved.
We asked Josh, "It’s been three months since you joined Releaf. How has life changed?" He said:
"The difference has been pretty stark. It's been a lot better. My Releaf consultant has been great, they’re very easy to talk with, and open to hearing what I have to say. And, just a few weeks back, I was able to do a four-hour mixed martial arts training session, the first long training session since I suffered my injury in 2021, which was massive for me.”
“It dulls the pain enough so that I am able to get through my physio and training sessions. It's the catalyst that really allows me to go deeper into my physio and recovery."
Josh Chronic Pain Patient Interview
We also spoke to Jacqueline, who had surgery a decade ago and has been dealing with the after-effects ever since. Jacqueline said:
"Releaf’s support has been incredible. They helped me through the trial-and-error process to find what worked best for me. It doesn’t take the pain away completely, but it helps me not to focus on it as much, which has made such a difference.”
“I’ve struggled to get a decent night’s sleep for years, but that has completely changed now. I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. The impact on my sleep has been amazing. I love that feeling of finally being able to relax and drift off peacefully.”
Jacqueline Chronic Pain Patient Interview
How to access UK medical cannabis prescription legally
Are you heading in for surgery soon and wondering if you may be potentially eligible for a medical cannabis prescription to help with your recovery?
The first step is to go to our fast, free, and super straightforward medical cannabis eligibility checker. It's just 3 questions and takes under 30 seconds, and once completed, you will have a much better understanding of your potential eligibility for UK medical cannabis.
To learn more, don't forget to check out the rest of our expansive blog and education hub, where you find articles covering all the most important aspects of medical cannabis in the UK, including:
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It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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Sam North, a seasoned writer with over five years' experience and expertise in medicinal cannabis, brings clarity to complex concepts, focusing on education and informed use.
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