Ketamine for Chronic Pain
If you’re experiencing chronic pain, you know how devastating it can be. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, it is the most common cause of long-term disability and impacts more than 100 million Americans. If your life has been affected by chronic pain, we want you to know that we see your struggle, and our experts at San Antonio Ketamine Specialists are working to support your recovery. Chronic pain doesn’t have to ruin your day-to-day. Call San Antonio Ketamine Specialists to schedule your free consultation.
What qualifies as chronic pain?
Chronic pain is characterized as pain that you experience for 12 weeks or more despite medical intervention.
When should I consider ketamine for treating my chronic pain?
If you have been unable to treat your chronic pain with more traditional medical interventions, ketamine may be a great option for you. Some first-line defense treatments that you may have tried are:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Physical therapy
- Behavioral changes
- Personalized pain rehabilitation treatment plan
If you’re experiencing chronic pain, always consult with your physician to determine the cause of your pain. Once you have received a diagnosis for your pain and are receiving any necessary treatment, it’s time to tackle the debilitating pain itself.
How does ketamine work for chronic pain?
There are two main ways ketamine works to treat chronic pain: increase endorphins and decrease pain signals.
Stimulates endorphin production: Endorphins are our body’s natural pain relievers. By stimulating the production of endorphins, we can increase a general feeling of well-being and reduce anxiety. In fact, a higher baseline of endorphins can even help prevent or reduce future pain.
Decreases neural signals associated with pain: Studies indicate that ketamine reduces the number of nerve signals commonly associated with pain.
By stimulating the body’s natural pain-reducing neurotransmitters and decreasing the number of pain signals, ketamine can provide rapid and long-lasting relief from your chronic pain.
What pain conditions do we treat at San Antonio Ketamine Specialists?
Ketamine works differently in the brain to increase your natural levels of endorphins, a natural pain reliever. Because of this, ketamine may be more adept at treating certain types of chronic pain, including:
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Other unique forms of nerve and chronic pain
What does a ketamine infusion for chronic pain look like?
Reducing your pain is our primary objective at San Antonio Ketamine Specialists. As soon as you enter our clinic, you will be welcomed by kind people and a relaxing environment intentionally designed to optimize your comfort and healing potential. During your infusion, you will have your own room where you will be accompanied by a care provider who is dedicated to your safety and comfort.
At the beginning of your treatment, your care provider will place an intravenous needle into your hand or arm. A saline solution that contains a low, personalized dose of ketamine will run through your IV. Because the ketamine is injected into the bloodstream, you will be able to feel the effects rapidly, and many people find the experience relaxing.
Our expert medical providers will be closely monitoring you to ensure that you are safe and receive the appropriate dosage throughout treatment.
You can expect your infusion to last roughly 45 minutes with a 30-minute post-infusion recovery time. Though you will remain safely in our care during this recovery period, you will not be able to drive yourself home.
Is ketamine for chronic pain the right treatment for me?
If chronic pain is stopping you from living your life fully, then it’s time to explore ketamine. There is a good chance it’s an excellent option for you. You deserve a life that feels good.
Call San Antonio Ketamine Specialists today at (210)960-6998 to schedule your consultation if you’re ready to finally get closer to a pain-free life.