Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Chronic Pain

Learn More About Ketamine Infusion Therapy as treatment for Chronic Pain!

Chronic pain can be debilitating, impacting not only one’s ability to work, but to perform everyday tasks and favorite activities. Opioids are a typical prescribed treatment, but they carry their own risks and side effects while increasing the risk of addiction. And with the current opioid crisis, an alternative for patients suffering from chronic pain is needed, now more than ever. Luckily, Ketamine infusion therapy is an alternative in Los Angeles that is not only effective for improving chronic pain but it does not have debilitating side effects.

At the Pain and Healing Institute where they combine passion for medicine with great compassion when treating their patients, two double board-certified doctors (Drs. Samimi and Lalani) with extensive training in pain, anesthesia and psychiatry, create individualized treatment plans that encompass all aspects of chronic pain management. They use the most cutting-edge and comprehensive techniques, including ketamine infusion therapy, which offers new hope to patients with chronic pain.

Ketamine For Pain Relief

Ketamine, which for decades has been used by surgeons as an anesthetic for people and animals, is now being used for many therapeutic benefits. Not only can it successfully treat certain types of treatment-resistant depression, but ketamine also effectively delivers welcome relief to several types of chronic pain syndromes.

Ketamine works by blocking specific pain receptors in the brain and resetting nerve cells in the spine and brain. This interferes with pain signaling and thus, provides pain relief for patients.

Ketamine infusion therapy can be an effective part of a multi-modal approach to treat and overcome chronic and neuropathic pain. If you heavily rely on opioids for your pain management, ketamine may help minimize or eliminate your narcotic intake and provide maximum long-term relief.

FAQs

Q: Who Can Benefit From Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

A: Ketamine infusion therapy for pain is one of the most popular treatments at the Pain and Healing Institute. There are two types of patients with chronic pain who can benefit from Ketamine therapy: patients whose pain cannot be managed using commonly used pain medications and treatments, and/or those with chronic pain who are trying to avoid surgery.

Q: What Chronic Pain Conditions Can Ketamine Help Manage?

A: Aside from treating sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, and knee pain, ketamine can also help manage these chronic pain conditions:

Fibromyalgia      

Fibromyalgia is a neuropathic pain condition that results from a “disconnection” in a patient’s pain-processing brain regions. Ketamine works by blocking glutamate (a brain chemical that activates various receptors in the central nervous system), and then “re-connecting” and “re-wiring” these critical areas, causing rapid improvement in symptoms and relieving chronic and widespread pain.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and neuropathic, chronic pain are characterized by overactive pain nerves that respond inappropriately to a stimulus, making normal sensations such as a light touch extremely painful. Over time, the nerve “learns” this response, causing a progressive, debilitating condition.

Modern medicine offers limited options to stop this process, primarily due to its unknown root cause. Ketamine’s unique action has been shown to stop these nerves from over-firing as well as also allowing them to reset and possibly regrow new, healthy connections.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur in people with diabetes. It can significantly impact quality of life, leading to further injury from a lack of sensation. Ketamine, as part of a multi-modal treatment regimen, may provide relief and improve symptoms in as little as one 75-minute treatment.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy is a result of damage to the peripheral nerves, often causing weakness, numbness and pain in the hands and feet, and can also affect other areas of the body. Peripheral nerve damage can be caused by:

  • Traumatic injuries
  • Metabolic problems
  • Infections
  • Exposure to toxins

Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as tingling, stabbing or burning. Effects can be temporary or permanent, and the extent of damage is usually determined by the underlying cause of peripheral nerve damage. Ketamine has unique nerve healing properties, and has been shown to help damaged nerves regrow new and healthy connections. Ketamine infusions will alleviate symptoms and may help speed up the healing process.

Q: What Happens During a Ketamine Infusion Therapy Session?

A: Infusions are conducted in private rooms. For patients who need it, special physical accommodations are available. All treatments are done through an intravenous (IV) infusion. The intravenous route is the most efficient way to deliver the treatment, ensuring the best possible results in the most efficient time.

Using the smallest needle possible along with advanced numbing techniques, an IV is placed to begin the infusion. The experience is usually described as pleasant and relaxing (soothing music is provided upon request). You will be monitored using state-of-the-art equipment throughout the process. Treatments for anxiety and depression last approximately 75 minutes.

Once the infusion is over, you may feel light-headed for one to two hours afterwards. We will monitor you after the infusion until you meet our criteria for discharge, at which point you will need a ride home. Unfortunately, patients are not allowed to drive themselves after a treatment. However, you will be able to resume regular activities 4-6 hours after treatment.

Q: Are There Any Side Effects?

A: Common side effects of Ketamine treatments include tiredness, mild nausea, dizziness and dissociation. These side effects will usually dissipate within 3-4 hours after treatment and should be completely gone the following day. Your body will adapt to the medication during the series of infusions, and side effects will become less intense or won’t recur at all.

Q: How Soon Will I Feel the Effects of Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

A: While some patients may have some relief with 1-2 sessions, Pain and Healing usually recommends a series of 5 treatments to start and some maintenance treatments 2-3 times a year to get the most lasting relief.

Q: How Often Will I Need It?

A: While some patients may feel better after one treatment, for most patients, a series of 3-treatments is recommended to get the best results. After the series is concluded, retreatment is usually recommended every 4-6 months to maintain results.

Q: How Much Does It Cost?

A: At the Pain and Healing Institute, pricing starts at $600 per treatment, if you purchase a package. Packages of 5 treatments are available for $3,000 PLUS oral or nasal spray prescription & FREE consultation ($600 value).

Millions of Americans experience chronic pain. In fact, nearly 65 million report a recent episode of back pain, specifically, some 16 million adults experience chronic back pain that prevents them from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities. Ketamine infusion therapy is a viable option to help these patients get their lives back!

Learn If Ketamine Infusion Can Help Your Chronic Pain

If you are suffering from chronic pain in Los Angeles, specialists at the Pain and Healing Institute will work with you to determine the best strategy for reducing your pain. Call us at (310) 856-9488 to schedule a consultation.