There are some chronic pain conditions where ketamine can help provide relief, and some where ketamine may not be the best choice.
Ketamine originated as a tool for anesthesia. It is FDA-approved for its use as an anesthetic and analgesic, and can be excellent at treating acute pain, for instance, during a surgical procedure.
Ketamine can also be used outside of acute pain settings. It is frequently used for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. It may also be used to help manage some chronic pain conditions – such as CRPS/ RSD, neuralgias, and neuropathies.
Where ketamine is Not Helpful for pain
Outside of acute settings, ketamine is not well-suited to treat mechanical pain conditions. This can include (but isn’t limited to) chronic back pain, tennis elbow, cervicalgia, bulging disks, pinched nerves, sciatica, or stretched nerves. In these instances, there is an underlying mechanical issue that ketamine is unable to directly address or resolve.
While ketamine infusions can provide pain relief in these instances, this relief is temporary. For some patients, this momentary relief might still be beneficial as an aid for physical therapy or to help them shift their mindset around pain. However, there are other treatments and medications for pain relief that are likely to be more suitable in these circumstances.
Where ketamine can help with pain
Ketamine infusions can be an excellent tool for managing chronic neuropathic pain conditions – where there is a problem with the functioning of neurons themselves.
In these instances, the nerves themselves may be sending pain signals even when a pain generator or pain-causing trigger is not present. An example of this is diabetic neuropathy: a patient with diabetic neuropathy may experience pain even when their blood glucose levels are well-controlled.
Other conditions that may benefit from ketamine treatment include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), and many types of neuropathy and neuralgia.
It is important to clarify that ketamine treatment is not a cure for these conditions. While it may provide reduction of pain scores lasting days, weeks or months, it is not expected to permanently fix the problem. We have had many patients report that ketamine treatment for chronic pain has been profoundly helpful to increase their quality of life. This might include being able to decrease use of other pain medications and narcotics, or to better engage in daily activities such as driving, going to work, or spending time with loved ones.
Ketamine used as a mental health treatment may also be useful to manage pain by mitigating your experience of suffering. Ketamine infusions can be helpful to treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, for instance, which are common comorbid conditions alongside chronic pain.
About Us
Wells Medicine is a Houston-based practice designed to provide meaningful care for mental health. Providing targeted interventional treatments for Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and other conditions, with Ketamine Treatments, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, TMS, and Nitrous-Oxide Treatments. Focused on comprehensive care and integration with Psychiatry, Psychology, and Support Services. We are evidence-based, patient-focused and mission-driven.
The content here is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. For the details of your specific medical conditions and treatments consult your doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.
