According to the CDC, 20% of Americans suffer from chronic pain, which is defined as either constant or recurring pain lasting for a period of 3 months or longer. Some common types of chronic pain are Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), chronic neck pain and chronic pain in the lower back.
If you do not treat your chronic pain, you may experience a decline in your mental and physical health in several ways including:
- Extreme discomfort
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Decreased mobility
- Poor concentration
- Weakened immune system
What causes chronic pain?
It’s normal to experience pain for several days after an injury or operation. However, if it lasts longer than three months, it’s considered “chronic” and should be treated as soon as possible.
Chronic pain is a result of nerve damage and can happen for a variety of reasons:
- Car accident
- Work injury
- Traumatic injury
- Poor posture
- Surgery
- Obesity
- Improperly lifting heavy objects
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Chronic pain has also been linked to several health conditions and diseases including migraines, fibromyalgia, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
How can I treat my chronic pain?
Unlike Dr. Anurag Bhatia M.D., many doctors prescribe painkillers as the standard treatment for chronic pain. However, long-term use of non-opioids like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can result in severe liver and gastrointestinal damage. They also become less effective over time as our bodies quickly develop a tolerance.
The most common chronic pain treatment option is opioid painkillers. These painkillers work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, which blocks the brain from receiving pain signals sent by the body. While incredibly effective, opioids are also highly addictive. In 2019, 10 million Americans aged 12 and older abused opioids.
For these reasons, ketamine IV infusion therapy for chronic pain is the most effective treatment option.
What is ketamine for pain management?
Ketamine is an FDA approved drug typically used as an anesthetic. It is an NMDA receptor antagonist that works by binding to several receptors in the brain- including opioid receptors- to improve neural connectivity and plasticity.
How can ketamine treat my chronic pain?
By improving neuroplasticity, ketamine rewires the way your brain functions. Ketamine can help treat chronic pain by first blocking pain signals sent from the body to the brain, resulting in short-term pain alleviation, and then creating new neural pathways, which results in long-term alleviation of pain.
Studies have shown that more than 50% of patients experience a significant reduction in pain levels lasting up to 2 weeks after treatment. As an added benefit, ketamine is an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, both of which are linked to chronic pain.
When it comes to ketamine treatments, there are three main methods:
- Nasal sprays
- Oral ketamine
- Ketamine IV infusion therapy
Regardless of the treatment method, ketamine is given in low doses, so most patients report little to no side effects.
At Staten Island Ketamine, we specialize in ketamine IV infusion therapy. Lead doctor, Dr. Anurag Bhatia M.D., is a board certified anesthesiologist with over 30 years of experience in interventional pain management. He has been rated a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly since 2017 and is dedicated to treating chronic pain sufferers.
Together, we will work with you to create a ketamine for chronic pain treatment plan. If you’re ready to experience life pain-free again, give us a call to schedule an appointment or make one online.