Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain
One of the most interesting things about ketamine therapy is that it is not only effective for the treatment of mental health conditions but can also be effective at breaking the cycle of many forms of chronic pain. It does this through a different mode of action than the way in which it works on mental health conditions. The net result however can be an impressive treatment synergy because many chronic pain patients have a coexistence of depression and/or PTSD.
A progressive journey since 2015
Since its inception in 2015, Klarisana has been one of the most progressive centers in the US at using ketamine to derail chronic pain and help patients decrease or eliminate the use of dangerous opioid pain medications.
How does ketamine treatment work for chronic pain?
At Klarisana, we use ketamine to target chronic pain at its source. Many forms of chronic pain are perpetuated by a destructive feedback loop called “Central Sensitization.” This cycle of pain relies on a receptor called the NMDA receptor, which ketamine is able to block.
It can be challenging to predict exactly how patients will respond because every patient has a very different condition and set of circumstances. Published reports and our own clinical experience show that a majority of patients can experience substantial relief of their pain.
Think of it like this:
Chronic pain is like a fire alarm that keeps ringing, even when there is no fire. Ketamine is like a firefighter that can turn off or “block” the alarm from ringing, which reduces pain levels and provides relief.
What is the process for treating chronic pain with ketamine?
When treating chronic pain, we will first evaluate if we are also treating a coexisting mental health condition. If we are only treating isolated chronic pain, we recommend an initial treatment series of three intramuscular ketamine sessions scheduled closely together. The goal here is to see if by saturating the NMDA receptor during those three sessions, if there is some tangible improvement in the pain. Depending on the patient’s response, we may recommend further sessions on a case by case basis.
If a patient does have a coexisting mental health condition, then we will likely recommend following the protocol for the primary mental health diagnosis. The patients’ treatment plan will then be optimized for the mental health condition with the pain levels and response being monitored concurrently.
Which chronic pain conditions can ketamine treat?
Ketamine therapy is remarkably effective at alleviating the symptomatology of several chronic pain conditions, such as:
- Migraines;
- Neuropathy;
- Cancer pain;
- Fibromyalgia;
- Rheumatoid arthritis;
- Intractable back pain;
- Trigeminal neuralgia;
- Lupus;
- Chronic Lyme disease;
- Gastroparesis;
- Cyclic vomiting;
- Phantom limb pain;
- Chronic pancreatitis;
- Chemotherapy-Induced peripheral neuropathy.
Ketamine treatment for Chronic Pain near me
Interested in becoming a patient at Klarisana? Check out our locations page to see if there is a treatment center near you.
Ketamine treatment redefines chronic pain management
At Klarisana, we embrace the idea of breaking the cycle of chronic pain with ketamine therapy, whose reduced risk of side effects and addiction allows patients to get rid of long-term pain symptoms and enjoy a long-awaited emotional and physical well-being.
Behavioral health services for chronic pain
In case you don’t feel ready to incorporate ketamine into your treatment approach yet, Klarisana works with a wide range of national insurance providers to make behavioral health services a more accessible and viable option for your mental health care journey.
Great experience and great company. I’m so glad that this treatment is available for anyone experiencing anxiety, depression or PTSD…these treatments helped me feel strong enough…
… ketamine is the only treatment that gives me true, real, and lasting relief.
I feel like an actual person again and like I can live my life.
