How Ketamine Infusions Work For Chronic Pain

If you have chronic pain, you know the impact it can have on your ability to sleep, carry out daily activities, and achieve your long-term goals.

Integrated Spine & Pain Care, in Farmingdale and Deer Park, New York, has top-quality specialists who understand the debilitating effects of chronic pain. We concentrate on providing long-term pain relief with innovative therapies, including ketamine therapy. Keep reading to learn how ketamine can ease your pain when other treatments fail.

A little about ketamine

Ketamine is a common anesthetic and pain reliever with quick action and a low side effect profile. It’s been in use since the early 1970s, and has recently gained popularity as an effective therapy for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Ketamine therapy has also proven effective in relieving chronic pain when administered in carefully measured doses under the close supervision of a physician, without the addictive potential and other negative side effects associated with opioid pain relievers.

How does ketamine relieve pain?

Ketamine reduces pain by interacting with a chemical receptor in the nervous system known as NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate). Ketamine blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain by blocking the NMDA receptor. When this receptor is blocked for an extended period of time during ketamine infusion therapy, it "reboots" and stops interpreting peripheral stimulation as pain.

Many people who do not respond well to other chronic pain treatments find ketamine to be extremely beneficial.

What chronic pain conditions respond to ketamine?

Your Integrated Spine & Pain Care provider may recommend ketamine for:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscular discomfort, which is frequently described as a constant, dull, aching pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), typically affects one limb and causes squeezing or burning pain as well as a "pins and needles" sensation.

Migraines

Ketamine infusions have been shown to be effective in relieving migraines that have resisted conventional treatment. The best results are usually obtained after the fourth day of ketamine treatment.

Ketamine is also effective for the following chronic pain conditions:

• Arthritis
• Post-operative discomfort
• Pain from an injury
• Backache
• Neckache
• Cancer pain
• Nerve pain

We conduct a thorough evaluation before recommending ketamine therapy, which includes a physical exam as well as a detailed review of your medical history, symptoms, and previous treatments for chronic pain.

What is ketamine therapy like?

Our team administers ketamine via intravenous (IV) infusion while you recline in a relaxed and comfortable position at our Farmingdale and Deer Park clinics.

We invite you to lean back and put your feet up once the IV has been placed. The majority of people find ketamine therapy relaxing. Our medical staff will keep an eye on you throughout the session to ensure that you are responding well to the treatment.

Ketamine does have a sedative effect that typically dissipates quickly. Our team monitors your progress to ensure that your pain is adequately managed.

Whether you’ve tried conventional treatments, prefer to avoid opioid pain relievers, or simply want an innovative treatment, we can help. Call the nearest office to schedule an appointment with one of our providers.