Chronic pain and depression can be debilitating conditions that impact every area of a person’s life. If you are struggling with either of these issues, you may wonder if ketamine infusion therapy could help. Ketamine is a popular medication that has been used for many years to treat pain and depression. It works by blocking specific receptors in the brain, which helps to relieve pain and symptoms of depression.
A pain management doctor will usually administer ketamine infusion therapy in a medical setting.
Read more: What To Expect When Visiting a Pain Management Doctor?
We will discuss what ketamine infusion therapy is and how it works to help chronic pain and depression.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is used as an intravenous infusion to treat chronic pain and depression. Initially developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic, it has since been studied extensively for its potential therapeutic effects. Ketamine blocks glutamate receptors, which are involved in perceiving pain and processing emotions.
How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Work?
Ketamine infusion therapy works by raising neurotransmitters in the brain in pain perception and mood regulation. This is done through an intravenous infusion, which involves a slow, steady flow of ketamine into the bloodstream via a small needle inserted into a vein. During an infusion, the patient usually rests in a reclined position while monitoring devices measure vital signs and provide feedback to the medical staff administering the infusion.
When ketamine binds to N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in your brain, it blocks the transmission of pain signals and acts as an antidepressant. In addition, ketamine can also cause a relaxation response by reducing stress hormones such as cortisol. This helps to reduce inflammation and chronic pain symptoms.
Ketamine infusions effectively treat pain from various ailments, including fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathy, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In addition to its analgesic properties, ketamine has also been shown to be beneficial for treating depression, anxiety, and OCD.
- a) Fibromyalgia: This chronic condition causes debilitating pain throughout the body, often accompanied by fatigue and cognitive issues. Ketamine infusion therapy can reduce chronic pain and help improve physical functioning.
- b) Arthritis: Infusions of ketamine can effectively reduce pain associated with arthritis, such as joint swelling, stiffness, and inflammation.
- c) Neuropathy: This nerve disorder is characterized by chronic pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet. Ketamine infusions can reduce nerve pain and increase sensation.
- d) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): CRPS is a chronic condition that causes severe burning pain in the hands or feet. Ketamine contains powerful analgesic properties that can reduce pain and improve daily functioning.
How Does Ketamine Infusion Reduce Pain?
Ketamine infusion therapy is a treatment used to reduce the severity of chronic pain. It involves an intravenous injection of a small dose of ketamine, an anesthetic drug, into the bloodstream. This can help patients achieve pain relief and improve sleep quality, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
Ketamine decreases the activity of pain-sensing neurons in the brain, thus reducing pain signals that reach the central nervous system. This helps patients to feel less pain and improves their quality of life.
Ketamine infusion for pain in Omaha, NE is a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain and depression. While results vary, many patients report improved mood, reduced pain levels, and better overall quality of life after completing the recommended infusions. Call Midwest Pain Clinics for pain management in Omaha, NE, for more information.
