Evidence-Based Alternative Pain Management
Serving Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, FL & Surrounding Areas
Chronic pain affects an estimated 51.6 million adults in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics (2023). Chronic pain—defined as pain lasting longer than three months—can have serious implications for physical functioning, mental health, and quality of life.
At Northwest Florida Physicians Group, LLC, we recognize the need for integrative and non-opioid approaches to pain relief. Our clinic provides alternative pain management options that are evidence-informed and patient-centered, including medical marijuana certification, manual therapies, regenerative medicine, and lifestyle-based interventions.
Chronic Headaches
Headaches are among the most common neurological disorders. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study (2021), migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Chronic headaches (≥15 days per month for more than 3 months) can stem from a variety of causes:
- Sleep deprivation
- Dietary triggers
- Stress and tension
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Medication overuse
- Inflammatory conditions
Alternative treatments—including medical cannabis, manual therapy, biofeedback, and nutritional optimization—have been shown in peer-reviewed studies to help reduce headache frequency and intensity without the side effects of chronic medication use (Peres et al., 2022; Baron, 2015).
Chronic Neck Pain
Neck pain is a leading cause of disability, particularly in people who have suffered whiplash, degenerative disc disease, or posture-related strain. It often presents with:
- Stiffness and reduced mobility
- Radiating pain to the arms or shoulders
- Tingling or numbness in fingers
- Muscle spasms and tenderness
A recent systematic review in The Lancet Rheumatology (2023) supports a multimodal approach to neck pain, including low-level laser therapy, myofascial release, spinal manipulation, and non-opioid pharmacologic options.
At our clinic, we offer conservative, non-invasive interventions tailored to your specific diagnosis. Medical marijuana, in particular, has demonstrated potential for reducing inflammation and pain perception in chronic musculoskeletal conditions (National Academies of Sciences, 2017).
Chronic Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be debilitating and is often due to soft tissue or nerve-related injuries. Common diagnoses include:
- Rotator cuff tear
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis or tendonitis
- Pinched nerves (cervical radiculopathy)
A combination of
therapeutic exercise, regenerative injections (e.g., platelet-rich plasma, stem cells), and
cannabinoid-based therapy has shown promising results in recent trials (Rajagopal et al., 2020; Abrams, 2022).
Why Choose Us?
At Northwest Florida Physicians Group, our physicians collaborate to deliver integrative pain care with an emphasis on evidence, safety, and function. We are proud to serve Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, and surrounding areas as a certified provider of medical marijuana therapy.
Ready to Start Healing?
Whether you’re suffering from chronic migraines, cervical spine pain, or shoulder dysfunction, we are here to help. Our team will develop a personalized, non-invasive pain management plan to get you back to the life you love.
📞 Call us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward pain relief.
References (APA 7 style):
- Abrams, D. I. (2022). Cannabis and chronic pain: A review of current clinical evidence. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(4), 913. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11040913
- Baron, E. P. (2015). Comprehensive review of medicinal marijuana, cannabinoids, and therapeutic implications in medicine and headache. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 55(6), 885–916.
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. National Academies Press.
- Peres, M. F. P., et al. (2022). Lifestyle factors and non-pharmacologic treatments in migraine. Journal of Headache and Pain, 23(1), 1-12.
- Rajagopal, V., et al. (2020). Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of shoulder injuries: A meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 8(12).
- The Lancet Rheumatology. (2023). Non-invasive treatments for neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Rheumatology, 5(4), e216-e230.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among U.S. adults, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db456.htm
