Chronic pain can be one of the most debilitating symptoms to live with. Around-the-clock aches, pains, and discomfort can interrupt your daily routine and affect nearly every aspect of your life.
Unfortunately, chronic pain is often challenging to treat. Many who suffer from chronic pain can’t pinpoint a root cause. Prescription drugs may only provide temporary relief because they don’t address the underlying symptoms. Fortunately, there’s a new hope to treat chronic pain: ketamine infusion therapy.
Ketamine was developed as an anesthetic in 1962. In recent years, medical professionals have been studying how it affects patients with certain conditions that cause chronic pain.
This research has shown that a low-dose treatment of ketamine can be an effective solution for pain relief. That’s why more chronic pain patients are now turning to infusion therapy as an alternative to addictive medications like opioids.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, ketamine may be the solution. Learn more about how this new treatment option can work for you.
Research on ketamine for chronic pain management is relatively new. One major study, published in 2018, found that ketamine effectively reduced pain and pain-related symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
Because ketamine interacts with receptors and synapses in the brain, it can provide an analgesic effect. A low dose of ketamine can increase glutamate levels in your brain. Glutamate triggers chain reactions in the brain.
The exact mechanisms of these chain reactions are still being studied. However, scientists believe that ketamine helps neurons find new ways to communicate with your body. The pain-relieving effects of ketamine are likely the result of these activations.
Additionally, research shows that ketamine may have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Though this treatment option is still in its early stages, ketamine works in complex ways to ease pain through different chemical processes. If you decide to take ketamine for pain management, you may also benefit from a reduction of other symptoms, such as depression.
When ketamine is taken for pain management, patients will usually seek infusion treatment after other methods to treat their pain have been exhausted. In other words, many look to ketamine therapy when other treatments have not been successful.
Some common types of pain and pain-related symptoms that ketamine can relieve may include the following:
How you will react to ketamine largely depends on the type of chronic pain you suffer from and the severity of your symptoms.
Ketamine for chronic pain is a new treatment option, and scientific research into how ketamine can help patients is ongoing.
Insofar as pain management goes, the recent opioid crisis has led many individuals to seek alternative ways to treat their debilitating symptoms.
For decades, opioids were the first choice in pain management for injuries, illnesses, and other debilitating conditions. To a certain extent, opioids are still the go-to option today.
Unfortunately, these powerful drugs can be addictive, and their long-term use is associated with developing a high tolerance.
Ketamine can provide pain relief without many of the negative qualities of opioids and other medications. This can be particularly helpful for individuals who may have recovered from an opioid addiction but still need treatment for their chronic pain.
Ketamine is fast-acting, and the pain relief may be immediate, depending on your symptoms.
After your first treatment, our medical staff will monitor your reaction to ketamine to determine a proper course of action. Every case of chronic pain is different, and how frequently you’ll require treatment will depend on your specific needs.
Recent studies have shown that many individuals who experience the positive effects of ketamine within their first three treatments are likely to see continued improvement. For others, ketamine might not be the most effective option. Everyone reacts differently to medications, and the results can vary case by case.
Our physicians are trained to manage pain and will determine the best pathway to help alleviate your symptoms. In some cases, we may recommend supplementary therapy as a holistic approach to managing your pain. The right combination of ketamine infusions with other treatments may be the best way to relieve your pain.
After your first session of ketamine infusion therapy, we recommend that you remain seated for at least 30 minutes so our team can monitor your condition.
Anyone who receives ketamine therapy should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after treatment. For better outcomes, our team also recommends staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol.
Generally, patients will be able to go back to their daily routines after 24 hours.
Using ketamine infusions to treat chronic pain can help relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Because ketamine has been shown to reduce inflammation and block pain signals in the brain, infusion therapy can be an effective course of action for anyone who has exhausted other pain management options.
At Scottsdale Ketamine Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ, and Ahwatukee Ketamine Clinic and Drip Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, our staff provides the most up-to-date ketamine treatment for patients suffering from conditions like anxiety, PTSD, depression, fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic pain, and more.
Our modern facilities provide a comfortable, holistic environment for our patients to receive ketamine infusions. Learn more about ketamine for chronic pain treatment by getting in touch with us today!
Depression can manifest itself in many ways with different factors that cause it. It can last for varying lengths of time. Some causative factors can…
We were all saddened to hear of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was loved by many and admired for his talent as an actor. His autopsy…
Advertising for at home ketamine is very prominent. Is this a good option for you? Let’s look at routes of ketamine administration. At home ketamine…
The World Health Organization states that 3.8% of the world’s population experiences depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health condition that can be complex to…
The National Center for PTSD states that about 6% of the U.S. population will have post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. PTSD…
Ketamine therapy has recently emerged as a groundbreaking treatment option for various health conditions. It is often used as an alternative to traditional depression medications…