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Ketamine Pain Treatment

Ketamine can be an effective tool for treating chronic pain. While most doctors will use ketamine as an anesthetic, it can also limit the patient’s perception of pain during treatment and in the following weeks. Researchers have more to learn about the science behind ketamine infusion therapy, but evidence suggests that low doses of ketamine can reduce patients’ perception of pain.

For many patients, ketamine treatment for chronic pain can reduce or eliminate the need for opioids and other pain medications. The doctors at the Spine INA perform ketamine infusion therapy when other methods aren’t bringing the patient the relief they need. Ketamine treatment may be your best path toward a more comfortable life. Contact us to learn more.

 

 

How Ketamine Infusion Therapy For Chronic Pain Works

To perform the treatment, the doctor introduces intravenous (IV) ketamine into the patient’s bloodstream in a lower dosage than what anesthesiologists use during surgeries.

 

The substance interacts with the patient’s brain to address chronic pain at a cellular level.

When a patient experiences chronic pain, the cause is often a deficiency of neurons and synaptic connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Ketamine increases activity in these areas to encourage the creation of neurons and synaptic connections.

At the same time, ketamine inhibits the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor which often becomes oversensitive in patients experiencing chronic pain. Lowering the receptor’s reaction level results in reduced pain from the same stimulation.

Positive Impact on Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting 21 million adults in the U.S. within a year.

Today, treatment for depression usually consists of a prescription antidepressant that takes a month or more to start having an effect. On top of that, it may take a couple of different medications to find one that fits. An individual might be considered to have treatment-resistant depression if the medications don’t work for them — but they are trying to treat the wrong brain chemical.

Low levels of glutamate can cause symptoms of depression, not just serotonin. Ketamine infusion therapy can boost glutamate levels and improve your pain or mood within a few hours.

When at a much lower dose than for anesthesia, ketamine bypasses the digestive system to provide the full effects. You might feel some dissociation or have an out-of-body experience during treatment. You might also feel an overall sense of well-being.

In short, ketamine has greatly impacted depression treatment and is the most important discovery in half a century. Submit a pain evaluation to begin the discussion.

Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine infusion therapy can significantly benefit depressive symptoms, but that is not all. It has also been used for other mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Additionally, this up-and-coming therapy can:

  • Interact with NMDA receptors for cell growth
  • Reduce pain symptoms
  • Calm anxiety and an overworked mind
  • Decrease any need for narcotic painkillers
  • Quickly reduce thoughts of suicide
  • Start working after being metabolized in the body

Ketamine infusion therapy does not affect blood pressure or breathing rate as many other medications can. Also, ketamine does not come in a prescription to take home with you. You are not at risk of developing an addiction to ketamine, as medical professionals administer small doses.

Is Ketamine Treatment Right for Me?

At the Spine INA, we recommend ketamine infusion therapy in three situations:

  • Patients who have tried other treatment methods with little or no success.
  • Patients with an upcoming surgical procedure.
  • Patients with lingering COVID-19 symptoms.

Consult with a doctor about ketamine treatment if you are experiencing pain from cancer, neuropathy, fibromyalgia or an injury causing chronic lower back pain. Ketamine therapy may also successfully relieve pain from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy or similar procedure.

What Can I Expect From Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

When you pursue ketamine infusion therapy with the Spine INA, you’ll receive treatment on-site from one of our experienced medical professionals. We’ll ask questions to gauge your pain level before treatment to gauge results afterward.

The small dosage of ketamine will enter your body through an IV line. The process takes anywhere from 45 minutes to five hours, depending on your condition and pain level. After your initial treatment, you’ll speak with your doctor to assess your pain reduction. The doctor will use your information to determine if regular treatment will be necessary and at what intervals.

Ketamine Therapy for Post-COVID-19 Relief

After the coronavirus spread in 2020, doctors began to discover respiratory and neurological symptoms that linger long after someone tests negative for the virus. Because there is a strong need for effective treatments in these situations, doctors have begun looking into medications that are already available and repurposing them to work for COVID-19 symptoms.

There is still much more to learn about the symptoms and treatments for COVID-19. However, we are getting closer to finding solutions that target the long-term effects of COVID-19 with ketamine therapy.

Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms

Post-COVID-19 symptoms are thought to be the result of a hypersensitive nervous and immune system. With our bodies working double time for an extended period of time, it becomes harder for our systems to effectively heal present complications. This can then lead to extended respiratory and neurological symptoms, including:

  • Persistent cough.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Frequent headaches.
  • Memory problems.
  • Limb tingling or numbness.
  • Brain fog.
  • Chronic pain.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Loss of taste or smell.

How Ketamine Alleviates Post-COVID-19 Symptoms

As discussed above, ketamine is effective in the management of treatment-resistant depression. This is also true in the management of post-COVID-19 depression. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 25% increase in depression because of various factors, including stress, social isolation and grief. For many, this depression has lingered, but ketamine can help clear brain fog and influence a positive attitude — something that is essential in the recovery process.

Additionally, COVID-19 causes hyper-inflammatory symptoms with overactive respiratory and immune systems. It can also damage the tissue of internal organs. Ketamine is effective in reducing inflammation and helping manage chronic pain in these areas.

Ketamine Treatments and Post-COVID-19

Ketamine treatments are an ongoing study showing encouraging results toward fighting off the pandemic. For these reasons, consider receiving a ketamine treatment from the Spine Institute of North America if your body feels fatigued long after seemingly recovering from COVID-19.

Post-COVID-19 symptoms can vary from person to person, but these effects can be challenging to deal with long-term, whether mild or severe. Instead, use this opportunity to take back control of your life and return to the activities you love.

What do we do?

Providing a thorough diagnosis to know the cause of your pain

Using the least invasive procedure that will relieve your pain quickly

Providing effective follow-up to ensure fast recovery

Ensuring that you remain fit so that you can enjoy long-term relief from pain

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Schedule a Consultation

Ketamine infusion therapy has made a difference in many patients’ lives, and it can help you find immediate, lasting relief from chronic pain. The Spine INA doctors are here to embrace your needs and develop a ketamine treatment path to meet them.

Call us at (609) 371-9100 or submit a pain evaluation to begin the discussion.

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