Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain - Does it Work?

IV Ketamine infusion therapy can be a powerful treatment for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. However, unlike other psychiatric medications, Ketamine also has a direct effect on reducing chronic pain.

Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain

Ketamine was initially developed as an anesthetic and was later found to have profound impacts on both emotional and physical pain. It is fundamentally different than opioids like morphine and fentanyl.

Ketamine has been found to be effective in treating several chronic pain conditions:

• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines
• Neuropathic pain conditions
• ‍Spinal cord injury

Additionally, IV Ketamine therapy is effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and rebound pain in patients weaning off of opioids.

Ketamine Heals Physical and Emotional Pain

Physical and psychological pain are rarely isolated. IV Ketamine's powerful ability to address both emotional pain and physical pain are key to healing the mind and body.

To treat physical pain we must also treat emotional pain. To treat psychological pain, we must also treat chronic, physical pain.

How Does Ketamine Reduce Chronic Pain?

Ketamine blocks many receptors in the brain and body that are responsible for pain signaling. The most well studied is the NMDA receptor.

When the body undergoes a trauma, it is at risk of being sensitized to pain for several reasons:

• Direct nerve damage
• Abnormal nerve signaling in damaged nerves trying to regenerate (called "ectopic activity")
• Nerves that regenerate abnormally and result in abnormal pain perception
• Loss of anti-pain mechanisms in the body

Ketamine is able to block some of these changes from occurring in the body, thereby helping reduce the chronic pain. Importantly, Ketamine can help relieve pain in patients who become resistant to opioids.

Is IV or Oral Ketamine Better for Chronic Pain?

The doses of Ketamine needed for chronic pain are higher than those needed for mental health. This means that oral Ketamine is inadequate for treating chronic pain for several reasons:

• An adequate dose cannot be reached with orally
• IV dosing can be adjusted finely in a way oral pills cannot
• The duration of treatment can be fine-tuned with IV in a way that oral pills cannot

Importantly, the dose of Ketamine needed for chronic pain relief require a specialized doctor to be present for your safety. We always recommend a board-certified anesthesiologist or emergency room physician to be present for IV Ketamine infusions.

Learn More About Healing Your Chronic Pain

Your comfort with your doctor in your Ketamine Clinic in San Francisco plays a tremendous role in your healing. You deserve to find your healing potential. Schedule a free consultation with Clarus Health to learn if IV Ketamine Therapy is right for you.