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Musculoskeletal Pain and Medical Cannabis

Musculoskeletal pain affects the joints, bones and muscles and is experienced by a significant proportion of the UK population. It can result from injuries or long-term conditions such as arthritis and back pain.

For those who have not been able to manage their pain with traditional treatments, medical cannabis may be an option to explore with a specialist at Curaleaf Clinic.

What is Musculoskeletal Pain?

Musculoskeletal pain affects the muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. Almost one in three people in the UK live with a musculoskeletal condition [1]. Musculoskeletal pain can result from minor injuries as well as long-term conditions and may affect movement, daily activities and quality of life.

Pain that persists for longer than 3 months is considered chronic pain. Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects people differently. For some, it can lead to a loss of independence and affect both physical and emotional wellbeing. More than 1 in 3 people living with chronic pain meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression [1].

Musculoskeletal Pain and Medical Cannabis: The Facts

53% 

of people with a musculoskeletal condition say their symptoms have a negative impact on work [2]

20.8 million

people in the UK are living with a musculoskeletal condition [2]

What Causes Musculoskeletal Pain?

Pain can develop following an injury or trauma, through physical strain or overuse, or as a result of an underlying health condition. There are over 200 different musculoskeletal conditions, many of which can cause pain.

Common causes and contributing factors include:

  • Injuries, such as falls, broken bones, sprains and strains
  • Physical strain and overuse, including repetitive movements and prolonged or poor posture
  • Inflammation, which can affect the muscles, joints and other tissues
  • Long-term health conditions, which can cause pain that lasts a long time or keeps coming back.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

The musculoskeletal system includes bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues. These structures work together to provide support, stability and movement.

Musculoskeletal conditions can affect different parts of the body, including:

Joints

  • Mechanical back pain
  • Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis etc.)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Gout or pseudogout
  • Joint hypermobility

Bones

  • Compression fractures of the spine
  • Acromegaly
  • Paget’s disease

Muscles (and tendons)

  • Myositis (muscle inflammation)
  • Tendinitis (tendon inflammation)

What are the Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Pain?

The symptoms of musculoskeletal pain can vary depending on what is causing the pain and whether it is acute or chronic. Pain may range from mild to severe and may occur with other symptoms such as cramps, spasms, soreness, stiffness, swelling and weakness. Musculoskeletal pain commonly affects the back, hips and knees and may make it harder to move and carry out everyday activities.

Treatment Options for Musculoskeletal Pain 

Treatment for musculoskeletal pain depends on the underlying cause, the severity of symptoms and the individual. A combination of approaches may be used to help manage pain and improve movement and quality of life.

Treatment options may include:

• Physiotherapy and exercise: Physiotherapy can help improve strength, flexibility and movement. Staying active and exercising within your limits can also help manage symptoms.
• Psychological therapies: Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may help people manage the physical and emotional impact of living with chronic pain.
• Lifestyle and environmental changes: Adjustments to your home or work environment, as well as changes to posture and daily activities, may help reduce strain and manage symptoms.
• Medication: Depending on the underlying cause and severity of the pain, medication may be recommended. This can include simple pain relief, while stronger medicines such as codeine, tramadol or morphine may sometimes be prescribed for severe pain under appropriate medical supervision. Specialist medicines may also be used to treat conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be considered when symptoms are severe and other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. For example, some people with severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee may benefit from joint replacement surgery.

Your treatment plan should be discussed with a healthcare professional and tailored to the underlying cause of your pain and your individual needs.

How does Musculoskeletal Pain Affect People?

Living with musculoskeletal pain can affect much more than the body. The impact varies from person to person, but for some, ongoing pain can lead to a loss of independence.

Pain can make it harder to sleep well, which can leave people feeling tired and make pain harder to cope with. It can also make it harder to stay active. More than half of people with a musculoskeletal condition say pain, tiredness or difficulty using their hands makes it hard to be physically active [2].

"Life before medical cannabis was quite overwhelming, filled with fatigue and pain. I found Curaleaf Clinic to be a great experience – having an appointment with a pain consultant who respects and understands the conditions that you're dealing with on a daily basis was really refreshing."
Sancharie Booth, Curaleaf Clinic Chronic Pain Patient

Medical Cannabis for Musculoskeletal Pain

Managing musculoskeletal pain effectively often requires a comprehensive approach, combining physical therapies, medications and lifestyle adjustments. Chronic pain is the most common condition for which medical cannabis is prescribed at Curaleaf Clinic and there is growing real world evidence on patients prescribed medical cannabis for chronic pain through the UK Medical Cannabis Registry.

Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Musculoskeletal Pain

Researchers are still studying whether medical cannabis can help people with long-term musculoskeletal pain.

A 2025 review looked at studies of people with conditions such as osteoarthritis, low back pain, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis [3]. It looked at how medical cannabis affected:

  • pain levels
  • movement and everyday activities
  • sleep
  • the use of opioid painkillers

Some studies found changes in these areas. But more research is needed to understand how well medical cannabis works, and how safe it is, for different conditions.

Medical cannabis may be an option if other treatments have not provided adequate relief. Where it is prescribed, it should be overseen by a specialist doctor as part of your overall pain plan.

Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Musculoskeletal Pain?

Medical cannabis may be considered for some patients with musculoskeletal pain when other treatment options have not provided sufficient relief or have caused difficult side effects. NHS access to medical cannabis remains limited, and eligibility for treatment depends on an individual assessment of a patient’s condition, medical history and previous treatments.

If you’re considering medical cannabis, you can complete an eligibility assessment for a consultation with Curaleaf Clinic. A clinician will review your records and, if appropriate, invite you to meet with a consultant to discuss whether medical cannabis may be suitable for you.

References

[1] Aaron RV, Ravyts SG, Carnahan ND, et al. Prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):e250268. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0268

[2] Arthritis UK. The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2025. London: Arthritis UK; 2025. https://www.arthritis-uk.org/policy-and-data/health-intelligence/the-state-of-musculoskeletal-health/

[3] Khak M. The evidence for medical cannabis in chronic musculoskeletal pain management. [Journal], 2025., https://surgicoll.scholasticahq.com/article/138573-the-evidence-for-medical-cannabis-in-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain-management

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Frequently Asked Questions about Musculoskeletal Pain

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Musculoskeletal pain is diagnosed based on your symptoms, medical history and a physical examination. Depending on the suspected cause, a clinician may recommend further tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound or an MRI scan.

Other investigations, such as blood tests to check for inflammation or removing a small sample of fluid from a joint, may also be recommended where appropriate.

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Musculoskeletal pain can often improve or resolve, particularly when caused by an injury, muscle strain or temporary inflammation. Appropriate treatment can help reduce symptoms over time.

However, some long-term conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, can cause chronic pain that may require ongoing management. Recovery depends on the underlying cause, how long symptoms have been present and how they respond to treatment.

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Musculoskeletal pain can sometimes make breathing feel more difficult, particularly when pain affects the muscles, joints or tissues involved in breathing.

However, new or unexplained shortness of breath can have other causes and should be assessed by a healthcare professional. If you are experiencing severe or sudden difficulty breathing, call 999.

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Yes, musculoskeletal pain can cause chest pain, particularly when the muscles, ribs, joints or cartilage around the chest wall become strained, inflamed or injured. However, chest pain can also have other causes, including heart or lung conditions.

If you experience sudden or severe chest pain at rest, particularly if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to your arm or jaw, call 999. If you have new or unexplained chest pain, seek medical advice to rule out other causes.

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There are a number of ways you can try to relieve musculoskeletal pain. Staying active, physiotherapy, medication, and heat or cold therapy may help relieve symptoms.

Speak to your GP or a healthcare professional for advice on the most appropriate approach for you. If pain persists despite conventional treatments, some patients may be eligible for prescribed medical cannabis as part of a wider pain management plan.

Learn More About Medical Cannabis and Musculoskeletal Pain