So, You Got Referred For Ketamine Treatment. What’s Next?

Here at the Center for Pain Management, we provide a range of pain management options, including ketamine for neuropathic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome. Ketamine therapy is increasingly becoming a popular method for managing chronic pain, as ketamine has been proven to be an effective treatment in reducing pain and providing lasting relief.

Learn more about ketamine therapy for pain management, and if you've been referred for ketamine therapy at the Center for Pain Management, we look forward to seeing you in our office and helping you live a life with less pain!

So You Got Referred For Ketamine Treatment Infographic

What Is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine is a medicine that has been used since the 1960s as an anesthetic, but it is now being used to treat chronic pain conditions, like complex regional pain syndrome. It offers many potential benefits for people experiencing persistent and severe pain, including reducing inflammation and spasms in muscle tissues and helping reduce the need for opioids.

Ketamine for Pain Management

Ketamine therapy works by targeting the areas of your brain that are responsible for regulating your perception of pain. It blocks the transmission of neurons that activate when you feel discomfort, which reduces your perception of pain and decreases its intensity. This can provide fast and long-lasting relief from chronic pain, allowing patients to enjoy activities that were once difficult or impossible in their daily lives.

Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine infusions, is an option available to people who have tried other treatments without success or are looking for a way to reduce their dependence on painkillers. During ketamine therapy treatment, ketamine is administered intravenously through an IV line, usually at a low dosage over four to five hours.

The ketamine is slowly introduced into the body and it works by targeting receptors in the brain to reduce pain signals and regulate the person’s mood, making them less likely to experience a pain flare-up.

Woman administering an IV to a man that is relaxing

Directions for Treatment Day

To have the best treatment possible, please do not have any food or drink the morning of treatment. Avoid caffeine prior to and during treatment. If you are using opioids, we recommend weaning off of them because ketamine infusions appear to be more effective when the patient is not using opioids to manage pain.

You should also use the bathroom prior to treatment, and if you have to use the bathroom during your infusion, it will need to be paused for 15 minutes prior to going to the bathroom because you need to be more awake and steady on your feet.

If you'd like, bring a pillow and blanket to help yourself be more comfortable during your treatment. During treatment, you will not be allowed to read or watch movies. However, you will be able to listen to music, and we highly recommend it!

Ketamine for Pain Management FAQs

Q: What conditions does ketamine therapy treat?
A: Ketamine infusions can be effective for a wide range of chronic pain management, including:
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic migraines
- Arthritis
- Nerve pain
- And other chronic pain conditions
If you believe that ketamine therapy may be right for you, talk with your doctor about it!
Q: How is ketamine therapy different from opioids?

A: Ketamine has many potential benefits over opioid use, such as fewer side effects and a faster onset of pain relief. When taken properly, ketamine can provide short-term or long-term pain relief without causing the same physical and psychological dependence associated with opioids.
Q: Is ketamine therapy safe?

A: Yes, ketamine is generally considered to be a safe and effective form of treatment for chronic pain, when administered properly by an experienced doctor. Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic since the 1960s and has an excellent safety profile when monitored closely.
Q: What are the side effects?

A: Typical ketamine infusion side effects include dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, and blurred vision. These symptoms generally improve within a few hours after the ketamine therapy is completed. If you are concerned about ketamine side effects, talk with us — we're here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Q: Who can benefit from ketamine therapy?

A: Ketamine therapy may be beneficial for people with chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome. It can also be used to help reduce the need for opioid use.
Q: How is ketamine administered?

A: Ketamine can be administered in multiple ways, but here at the Center for Pain Management, we administer ketamine through an IV drip.
Q: What does ketamine therapy feel like?

A: Ketamine administered through an IV drip can take around 20 to 40 minutes to take effect. Once it does take effect, many patients experience a feeling of relaxation, although some patients have reported feeling disoriented or nauseous. We have medications to support nausea, and most of our clients feel generally relaxed. Clients who use ketamine for chronic pain often feel less pain both during and after ketamine treatment.

Ketamine for Pain in Hackensack

Ketamine therapy is a safe, exciting, and relatively new treatment option for those suffering from chronic pain who have tried other treatments without success or are looking for a way to reduce their dependence on painkillers. At the Center for Pain Management in Hackensack, we recognize ketamine’s potential and offer ketamine. If you’d like to learn more about ketamine therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to answer any questions and discuss our ketamine treatment options with you!

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