The Role of Ketamine Infusions in Managing Chronic Pain

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain lasting for weeks and even months on end. About a third of those people — 17 million — have severe symptoms that make it hard to complete daily activities.

Although there are a variety of therapies available to help with chronic pain, including pain due to cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), those therapies aren’t always effective. Some therapies, like medication, come with the risk of additional unpleasant side effects, as well.

At Vivash Medspa, our team offers an alternative to traditional pain treatments: ketamine infusions focused on stopping nerve signaling that causes pain. If you have chronic pain, here’s how ketamine treatment could help you finally find the relief you’ve been looking for.

Ketamine infusions for chronic pain

Ketamine has been used for decades as an effective anesthetic agent. More recently, though, researchers have explored its use in treating a variety of medical issues, including treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety — and stubborn chronic pain.

While researchers know ketamine helps relieve chronic pain, they’re still learning about how it achieves its effects. The agent appears to work in several key ways. First, ketamine binds with nerve receptors that help “transport” pain signals to your brain. By blocking those receptors, ketamine interrupts nerve pathways and reduces or eliminates painful symptoms.

Ketamine also modulates chemicals called neurotransmitters — specifically glutamate, a chemical that helps reduce pain perception. Glutamate also regulates mood, decreasing depression and anxiety symptoms that frequently accompany chronic pain.

In addition, ketamine encourages the growth of new nerves and optimizes nerve-to-nerve communication, helping prevent abnormal pain signals associated with many pain conditions. Finally, ketamine is effective in reducing inflammation that contributes to a variety of pain-related conditions.

Ketamine treatment: What to expect

Ketamine is delivered directly to your bloodstream via an IV that’s placed in your arm. As a result, the effects are fast-acting and provide long-term, meaningful relief without the need for prolonged courses of pain medicines (or their resulting side effects and risks).

During your treatment session, you’ll relax while ketamine does the work. It’s not uncommon to experience feelings of dizziness or euphoria during therapy. Our team always monitors you to help you feel comfortable and at ease.

Infusions last about 30-60 minutes, and many people report rapid relief of their symptoms. Every dose of ketamine is customized to your needs, and follow-up treatments help maintain relief indefinitely.

Find relief for chronic pain

Without relief, unmanaged chronic pain can lead to worsening symptoms, long-term disability, sleep problems, and depression. To find out how ketamine could help you relieve your symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Vivash Medspa in Mahopac and Cold Spring, New York, today.