If you have ever experienced lower back pain, then you know firsthand how frustrating it can be. Lower back pain is often described as pain in the lumbar region of the back, between the lower ribs and the glutes. Several factors can contribute to a person developing lower back pain, and it is a very common condition globally.

According to the World Health Organization, “in 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050, driven largely by population expansion and ageing.”

“Lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition for which the greatest number of people may benefit from rehabilitation.” researchers at the World Health Organization determined.

Chronic lower back pain occurs when a patient experiences pain for more than 3 months. Common treatments for lower back pain vary from basic stretching and rest to the use of pharmaceutical painkillers and surgery. Fortunately, cannabis therapies appear to help.

A team of researchers affiliated with various health and academic institutions based in Germany and Austria recently collaborated on a clinical trial examining the use of full-spectrum cannabis extract as a treatment for chronic lower back pain (CLBP). The trial’s findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

“This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of VER-01 in CLBP. It enrolled 820 adults with CLBP (VER-01, n = 394; placebo, n = 426) and included a double-blind 12-week treatment phase (phase A), a 6-month open-label extension (phase B), followed by either a 6-month continuation (phase C) or randomized withdrawal (phase D).” the researchers wrote about their investigation’s methodology.

“The study met its primary endpoint in phase A, with a mean pain reduction of −1.9 NRS points in the VER-01 group (mean difference (MD) versus placebo = −0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.9 to −0.3; P < 0.001). Pain further decreased to −2.9 NRS points in phase B, with effects sustained through phase C. The study also met its key secondary endpoint of phase A, with a mean NPSI decrease of −14.4 (standard error, 3.3) points from baseline in the VER-01 arm (MD versus placebo = −7.3, 95% CI = −13.2 to −1.3; P = 0.017).” the researchers found.

“VER-01 was well-tolerated, with no signs of dependence or withdrawal. VER-01 shows potential as a new, safe and effective treatment for CLBP.” the researchers concluded.