Ketamine for chronic pain is gaining attention as a powerful alternative for people who haven’t found relief through traditional treatments. Chronic pain affects millions of people and often goes far beyond physical discomfort, impacting mood, mental health, and overall quality of life. While traditional treatments may offer limited relief, ketamine is emerging as a powerful new option. This article explores the nature of chronic pain and how ketamine therapy may provide relief for those living with the condition.
Understanding Pain: Acute vs. Chronic
Pain is a universal experience, but not all pain is created equal. Broadly, it falls into two categories: acute and chronic.
Acute pain emerges suddenly, typically following injury, surgery, or illness. It serves as a biological alarm system, alerting the body to immediate harm. This type of pain usually fades once the underlying cause is treated or healed.
Chronic pain, in contrast, persists well beyond the typical healing period, often for months or even years. It continues even after the initial injury or illness has resolved. There’s no single biological cause, but changes in the immune system and abnormal nerve signalling are key contributors to persistent pain.
Common chronic pain conditions include:
- Arthritis – Joint inflammation leading to stiffness and discomfort.
- Fibromyalgia – Characterized by widespread body pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
- Chronic back pain – Ongoing discomfort due to spinal problems or muscle strain.
- Neuropathic pain – Nerve damage causing burning or tingling sensations, common in diabetes.
- Phantom Limb Pain – When pain is felt in a limb that has been amputated or is missing.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) – Intense, lingering limb pain that often follows an injury or surgery.
- Endometriosis – A painful gynecological condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus.
These conditions can be debilitating, often having a severe psychological impact. It’s estimated that those with chronic pain are three times more likely to meet the criteria for depression than those without.
How Ketamine Treats Chronic Pain
Ketamine was initially developed as an anesthetic for surgery but has emerged as a novel treatment for managing chronic pain disorders. Its main action is the blockade of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, proteins involved in nerve cell transmission. These receptors transmit signals about pain, and hence, ketamine administration causes short-term relief from felt pain.
In cases of chronic pain, the nervous system can become overly sensitive, a process known as central sensitization. This results in heightened pain responses and, in some cases, pain triggered by stimuli that would not usually be painful. NMDA receptors are believed to play a key role in central sensitization, and ketamine may help block this process from progressing, potentially preventing or reducing chronic pain.
Ketamine has also been shown to reduce inflammation, the body’s natural defense system. Inflammatory molecules can make pain receptors more sensitive, increasing the intensity of pain signals. By calming this response, ketamine may help ease pain.
In addition to its physical effects, ketamine promotes neuroplasticity, the nervous system’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. This may allow the brain to rewire abnormal nerve circuits that contribute to persistent pain.
Ketamine is also a powerful mental health treatment, capable of rapidly relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety. As a result, ketamine therapy addresses not only the physical aspects of chronic pain but also the psychological challenges that come with it. When administered in a therapeutic setting, ketamine can support individuals in accepting their condition and developing healthy coping strategies to manage the emotional toll of chronic pain.
Evidence Supporting Ketamine’s Use in Chronic Pain
Research into ketamine’s effectiveness across different chronic pain conditions has produced promising results.
- Fibromyalgia: A systematic review indicated that low-dose intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions could temporarily ease pain in fibromyalgia patients. However, the relief was typically short-lived.
- Chronic Migraines: Physicians at the Jefferson Headache Center reported success in using IV ketamine to treat patients with treatment-resistant migraines. In their series of cases, some patients experienced relief that lasted for several months following extended ketamine therapy.
- Neuropathic Pain: In a review of randomized controlled trials, ketamine was shown to significantly reduce pain levels at one week and even up to 30 days after treatment.
- Phantom Limb Pain: Case reports show ketamine can alleviate phantom limb pain, with results lasting up to six months
More and more ketamine clinics are offering treatment for chronic pain, with many patients reporting positive outcomes. At Kadelyx in Phoenix, Arizona, we’ve treated numerous individuals with chronic pain and have seen encouraging, successful results.
Ketamine Protocols for Chronic Pain Relief
The approach to ketamine therapy for chronic pain typically follows a structured protocol, often involving a series of low-dose IV infusions. A standard course usually consists of six infusions over two to three weeks, with each session lasting about 40 minutes to several hours, depending on the individual and the condition being treated. Many patients begin to notice relief after just a few sessions, although full benefits may take time to emerge.
However, chronic pain is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Different pain syndromes respond differently to ketamine. Some individuals may benefit from higher doses or longer infusion times, while others might require maintenance infusions at regular intervals to sustain results. Factors such as medical history, coexisting mental health conditions, and previous treatments also play a role in determining the ideal protocol.
That’s why at Kadelyx, we don’t rely on a rigid model. Instead, we offer personalized ketamine therapy tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Ketamine for Chronic Pain in Phoenix, Arizona
If you’re in the Phoenix, Arizona area and living with chronic pain, or know someone who is, Kadelyx may be able to help. We offer personalized IV ketamine infusions combined with supportive psychotherapy to help you get the most out of your treatment journey. Get in touch to learn more.
