According to the NIH, nearly 11% of Americans suffer from chronic pain, a condition characterized by intermittent or constant, debilitating pain lasting at least 3 months.  There are many different types of chronic pain conditions including neuropathic pain, phantom limb pain, post-mastectomy pain, chronic regional pain syndrome in addition to many others.

These pain disorders are treated with different medications and therapies, each with unique side effects and risks, often with limited utility. Recent medical literature suggests that long term and high dose opioid therapy can lead to increased pain levels, nausea, vomiting, constipation, mood disorders, dependence, and negative cardiovascular and neurologic events including death.

Anesthesiologists often use Ketamine infusions in the operating room to assist with surgical pain control, particularly in patients that have high baseline pain scores and patients that are on chronic opioid therapy. Often times, these patients develop a tolerance to the associated pain-relieving effects with increased risk of adverse respiratory and cardiovascular events. Ketamine is an effective supplemental analgesic in such a patient population and has positive effects in helping to treat post-operative pain.

There is a growing body of literature that indicates that low dose Ketamine infusions can help provide significant pain relief for patients suffering from certain pain disorders, such as complex regional pain syndrome, and certain forms of neuropathic pain such as chemotherapy induced neuropathy, traumatic peripheral nerve injury, and in burn patients.

The therapeutic effects of Ketamine that contribute to its pain relief properties is its modulation of the NMDA receptor that interferes with the transmission of pain signals from the site of pain through the spinal cord to various brain processing and perception centers. Essentially, Ketamine serves as a “roadblock” to essentially diminish pain signal conduction. MRI findings of patient’s that had low dose Ketamine infusions showed increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and amygdala all of which are involved in pain sensing and processing.

The Ketamine Wellness Institute offers low dose Ketamine infusions in a safe and relaxing environment to patients suffering from various chronic pain states.  Infusions will be administered by an anesthesiologist with years of experience.

Please note that although Ketamine has brought relief to thousands of patients, it is not a permanent cure.  Once a patient’s condition is stabilized with Ketamine, maintenance infusions are required once every one to six months or more for most patients. At the Ketamine Wellness Institute, we will work closely with your primary care physician to provide you with the most comprehensive wellness plan possible.  We are committed to your care.

“Ketamine produces effective and long-term pain relief in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1” — Pain, 2009

“Outpatient intravenous ketamine for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: a double-blind placebo controlled study.” — Pain, 2009