Chronic pain can feel like a never-ending cycle. Millions of people live with conditions like fibromyalgia, neuropathy, or back pain that persist for months or years, often with no clear solution. Traditional pain treatments – from medications to physical therapy – sometimes fall short. Deep Relief is excited to introduce ketamine therapy as a groundbreaking approach to help break the cycle of chronic pain. This innovative treatment doesn’t just mask pain; it rewires how the brain perceives and processes pain, offering new hope to those who have struggled to find relief.
Blocking NMDA Receptors to Interrupt Pain Signals
One of the key ways ketamine relieves pain is by blocking NMDA receptors (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors) in the nervous system. NMDA receptors act like amplifiers for pain signals. In chronic pain, these receptors can become overactive, turning up the “volume” of pain and even creating persistent pain memories in the spinal cord and brain. Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist, meaning it binds to and blocks these receptors. By doing so, it interrupts the transmission of pain signals at the source.
Blocking NMDA receptors helps “reset” an overactive pain system. Think of a car alarm that’s stuck on high alert – ketamine effectively calms the alarm, so every minor bump is no longer perceived as a major threat. Research shows that low-dose ketamine infusions can reduce a phenomenon called central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to stimuli . In simpler terms, ketamine dampens the hyperactive pain pathways, making normal sensations feel normal again and significantly reducing pain when other treatments haven’t helped.
Promoting Neuroplasticity and Healing
Ketamine doesn’t just block pain – it also encourages the brain to heal. It does this by boosting neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new neural connections and reorganize itself. When ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, it triggers a release of glutamate, an important neurotransmitter that helps neurons communicate and grow. This surge in glutamate, along with ketamine’s influence on other brain chemicals, leads to an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is like a fertilizer for your brain’s neurons, helping to strengthen synapses and even grow new ones .
For someone with chronic pain, enhanced neuroplasticity means the brain can “rewire” itself away from pain. Over time, chronic pain can cause certain neural pathways to become ingrained – the brain essentially learns to feel pain continuously. Ketamine helps break these entrenched pathways and allows new, healthier connections to take root. This can reduce the intensity of pain long after the ketamine session ends. In fact, patients often report not only pain relief but also improvements in mood and cognitive function following ketamine therapy. This makes sense, as ketamine’s promotion of neuroplasticity and reduction of inflammation in the nervous system contribute to overall brain health .
Rapid Relief and Lasting Results
Another remarkable feature of ketamine therapy is how quickly it can provide relief and how long-lasting that relief can be. Unlike many oral pain medications that might take weeks to show effects (if they work at all), ketamine infusions often lead to noticeable pain reduction within hours of the first treatment. For example, some patients begin to feel their pain easing during the infusion or the same day afterward. This rapid action is life-changing for those in severe pain flares or acute-on-chronic pain episodes.
Ketamine’s effects also tend to persist beyond the short window of the infusion. Because it is working to reset neural pathways and reduce central sensitization, patients may experience extended pain relief for days or even weeks. Many chronic pain sufferers undergo a series of ketamine treatments over several weeks. This series approach can train the nervous system over time – teaching it to stay in a calmer state with less pain signaling. Clinical studies have found that repeated ketamine infusions can lead to significant long-term improvement in conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and neuropathic pain, often when other treatments have failed . While individual results vary, the combination of rapid onset and potential lasting benefits sets ketamine apart from most other pain therapies.
Reducing Reliance on Opioids and Improving Well-Being
Ketamine therapy also offers a safer alternative to traditional opioid medications for chronic pain. Opioid painkillers (like morphine or oxycodone) can be effective short-term, but long-term use brings risks of tolerance, dependency, and numerous side effects. Ketamine is non-addictive and works through a completely different pathway than opioids. In fact, by providing effective pain relief through NMDA blockade and neural reset, ketamine can reduce a patient’s need for opioids . Many patients on ketamine infusions are able to lower their doses of other pain medications, which is a major win considering the dangers of opioid overuse.
Beyond physical pain relief, ketamine may improve overall well-being. Chronic pain and mental health are closely connected – constant pain can lead to depression and anxiety, and those mood disorders in turn can amplify the sensation of pain. Ketamine has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties due to its action on glutamate and other brain receptors. Patients often report mood elevation, a reduction in stress, and better sleep after treatment. By lifting the “brain fog” and emotional burden that often accompany chronic pain, ketamine helps patients regain a better quality of life on multiple fronts.
Summary
Ketamine therapy is ushering in a new era of hope for individuals with chronic pain. By targeting NMDA receptors, Deep Relief’s ketamine program can effectively turn down the volume on pain signals at their source. By promoting neuroplasticity, it helps the brain heal and retrain itself, diminishing pain long after the session is over. The result is a therapy that acts quickly to relieve suffering and can lead to durable improvement even when other treatments have failed.
Deep Relief is proud to bring this innovative treatment to our patients as part of our comprehensive approach to pain management. If you have been living with chronic pain and feel stuck, ketamine therapy at Deep Relief might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process toward a life with less pain.
Ketamine Therapy at Deep Relief: Frequently Asked Questions
What is ketamine therapy and how does it relieve chronic pain?
Ketamine therapy involves the medical use of ketamine – a well-known anesthetic medicine – in controlled, low doses to treat chronic pain. At Deep Relief, ketamine therapy usually means receiving ketamine through a carefully monitored IV infusion. Unlike typical pain medications that simply numb pain, ketamine works differently by acting on receptors in the brain and spinal cord. It targets the NMDA receptors that amplify pain signals, effectively interrupting pain transmission. This helps reduce pain levels even when other treatments haven’t helped. Additionally, ketamine triggers positive changes in the brain (often called “rewiring”), which can lead to longer-lasting relief even after the drug’s direct effects have worn off.
What types of pain conditions can ketamine therapy treat?
Ketamine therapy is used to help a variety of difficult-to-treat pain conditions, especially those involving nerve pain or sensitized nerves. Common examples include neuropathic pain (nerve damage pain such as diabetic neuropathy), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and post-surgical or post-injury pain that has become chronic. Ketamine can also be beneficial for severe migraines and certain types of headache disorders. In general, if pain has a strong neuropathic component or has not responded to conventional treatments, ketamine may be considered. At Deep Relief, our medical team will evaluate your specific condition to determine if ketamine therapy could be effective for you.
Is ketamine therapy safe?
Yes, ketamine therapy is considered safe when administered by trained medical professionals. Ketamine itself has been used in hospitals for decades as an FDA-approved anesthetic, even for children. For chronic pain therapy, the doses used are much smaller than anesthetic doses, which adds to the safety. At Deep Relief, we screen patients carefully and only administer ketamine under close medical supervision. During an infusion, your vital signs (like heart rate and blood pressure) are monitored continuously. Ketamine can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure or heart rate, so we ensure these stay within safe limits. Overall, complications are rare, and the controlled clinical setting ensures that if any issue arises, it’s managed immediately. It’s also worth noting that medical ketamine is legal and a standard practice for pain management in specialized clinics; we are simply using it “off-label” for chronic pain, which is a common and accepted medical practice.
What will I feel during a ketamine therapy session? Will I hallucinate or lose control?
Ketamine is known as a “dissociative” medication, which means it can cause a dream-like or detached sensation. However, the experience is typically mild at the low doses used for chronic pain. Many patients describe feeling relaxed, light, or as if they are in a calm daydream during the infusion. You might experience changes in perception – for example, sounds or time may seem a little distorted – but this is temporary. It’s not like the wild hallucinations associated with illicit drug use of ketamine. In our clinical setting, patients remain aware of where they are, and you won’t lose control of your mind or body. We ensure you’re comfortable throughout the session. A trained professional is with you at all times, so if you feel uneasy at any point, we can adjust the infusion or provide support. Most people tolerate the experience very well, and some even find it pleasant or meditative.
What is the process like during a ketamine therapy session at Deep Relief?
At Deep Relief, a ketamine therapy session is designed to be comfortable and caring from start to finish. Before your first treatment, our team will discuss the procedure with you and answer any questions. When you arrive for a session, you’ll be seated in a comfortable chair or treatment bed in a quiet room. A small IV line will be placed, usually in your arm, to deliver the ketamine. The infusion itself typically lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, during which you can relax. Many patients wear an eye mask or listen to soft music to help them stay at ease. One of our medical staff will be present throughout the infusion, monitoring your vital signs and ensuring you feel okay.
After the infusion, we’ll have you rest for a short time as the immediate effects wear off. Since ketamine can cause some drowsiness or lightheadedness afterward, you will need someone to drive you home. Our team will give you post-treatment instructions and schedule any follow-up or additional sessions as needed. Overall, we strive to make the experience as soothing as possible while keeping you safe and supported.
How many ketamine treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed can vary per person, but chronic pain is rarely fully relieved with a single session. At Deep Relief, we typically start with a series of multiple ketamine infusions to assess your response. For example, a common plan might be 4 to 6 infusions spread out over 2–3 weeks. Some conditions like CRPS might require a higher number of initial treatments.
This series approach gives the ketamine a chance to retrain your nervous system over time. After the initial series, we evaluate how much relief you experienced and how long it lasted. Depending on your needs, maintenance infusions might be recommended later on (for instance, a booster infusion every few months) to sustain the pain relief. Our team will tailor the treatment plan to your condition and progress, meaning the schedule is personalized for the best outcome.
How long does the pain relief from ketamine therapy last?
Patients often want to know how enduring the benefits will be. The duration of pain relief from ketamine can vary widely. Some people get relief that lasts for days from a single infusion; others might enjoy several weeks of reduced pain after a full series of treatments. In cases like severe neuropathic pain or CRPS, a multi-day infusion protocol has led to relief lasting months for some patients .
However, it’s important to understand that ketamine isn’t necessarily a permanent cure. Chronic pain may gradually return as neural pathways attempt to revert to their previous state. The goal of ketamine therapy is to provide a significant reprieve and ideally reset the baseline of your pain to a lower level. Many patients schedule periodic maintenance sessions (for example, a booster infusion every few months) to prolong the benefits. During your follow-ups at Deep Relief, we will discuss your progress and determine the best plan to maintain pain relief for as long as possible.
What are the side effects of ketamine therapy?
During and after a ketamine infusion, some temporary side effects are normal. The most common ones include:
These effects are generally short-lived. Within an hour or so after the infusion, most people feel back to normal (aside from the pain relief benefits that persist). Serious adverse effects are very rare in the controlled setting. Our Deep Relief team is trained to manage any side effect that arises to keep you safe and comfortable.
Is ketamine therapy addictive?
No – ketamine therapy for chronic pain is not addictive. This is an important point, especially compared to opioid pain medications which carry a high risk of addiction. Ketamine works on entirely different receptors (NMDA receptors and others), and it does not create the physical dependence that opioids do. When used in a medical setting at controlled doses, patients do not develop a craving or “need” to use ketamine outside of their treatment schedule.
In fact, ketamine can help patients reduce their dependence on addictive painkillers by providing an alternative source of relief. While ketamine has been misused recreationally by some, the context is completely different – those cases typically involve very high doses taken without medical supervision. At Deep Relief, ketamine is administered responsibly and only as often as medically appropriate. You will be closely supervised, and there is no take-home drug, so the potential for misuse is minimized. Our goal is to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life without creating new problems.
Who is a good candidate for ketamine therapy at Deep Relief?
Ketamine therapy can be a great option for many people suffering from chronic pain, but certain factors make someone an especially good candidate. If you have persistent pain (lasting months or years) that has not responded well to standard treatments (like oral medications, injections, or physical therapy), ketamine might be worth considering. It’s often recommended for neuropathic pain conditions and complex pain syndromes. People with conditions such as CRPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, or chronic pain after an injury or surgery are typically candidates if conventional therapies haven’t provided enough relief. Another scenario is if you’re looking to reduce reliance on opioids or avoid escalating doses of opioids – ketamine could offer an alternative.
Candidates should generally be in stable health. We will review your medical history before starting treatment. For example, uncontrolled high blood pressure or certain untreated heart conditions may need to be managed before an infusion, since ketamine can raise blood pressure temporarily. Likewise, if someone has certain severe psychiatric conditions (like uncontrolled psychosis), ketamine might not be suitable. These considerations will be part of your evaluation at Deep Relief. In summary, the ideal candidate is someone with chronic pain that hasn’t improved with other methods, who is medically appropriate for ketamine, and who is seeking a new approach to finally find relief.
Does insurance cover ketamine therapy for chronic pain?
Insurance coverage for ketamine therapy can be tricky because ketamine for chronic pain is an “off-label” use. This means that while ketamine is an approved medication (for anesthesia and certain other indications), using it to treat chronic pain is a newer practice that many insurance companies have not yet fully embraced. Some insurance plans may cover ketamine infusions for pain, especially if prescribed by a pain specialist and if other treatments have failed, but others may not cover it at all.
At Deep Relief, our staff can help you check with your insurance provider to see if any coverage is available. We’ll provide the necessary documentation about your condition and the medical necessity of ketamine therapy. Even if insurance will not pay, we can discuss options such as payment plans or other financial arrangements to make sure you get the treatment you need. We don’t want cost to be a barrier to obtaining relief, so we will work with you as much as possible to navigate the insurance questions and find a feasible solution.
