Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Chicago, IL

Ketamine for Pain Management Chicago

If you’re curious about your options for pain management in Chicago , consider ketamine infusion therapy. Ketamine, a derivative of phencyclidine hydrochloride, is a general anesthetic that can be used for both medical and non-medical purposes. Unlike other general anesthetics like propofol, ketamine has a wide variety of uses and is approved for use as a pain management solution. Our Chicago pain management clinic provides ketamine therapy as an alternative when other pain management solutions no longer provide effective relief.

In addition to its typical use as a general anesthetic, ketamine has been used to treat mental illness. It was discovered in the 1960s that the drug was extremely effective for managing pain when used in a controlled manner. Ketamine has been found useful in the treatment of many different types of pain, including chronic pain and acute postoperative pain. Illinois Pain & Spine Institute is proud to offer ketamine infusions in Chicago for those dealing with debilitating chronic pain. scheduling an appointment today!

Ketamine For Pain Management in Chicago
Ketamine For Chronic Pain in Chicago

Ketamine for Chronic Pain in Chicago

Living with chronic pain can be frustrating, isolating, and even impossible to work and function normally. It can be hard to find the right balance between managing your pain and being productive, but there are ways to make your life with pain more bearable. The best way to understand your pain is to learn about the different types of pain and how to identify your specific pain in order to determine the best treatment option for you.

Ketamine is offered as a treatment for chronic pain, particularly when the pain has become too much to live with if no amount of opioid or NSAID painkillers seem to offer relief. Many people with chronic pain have been in this position. If that’s what it’s like for you, our staff at Illinois Pain & Spine Institute is here to help you reclaim your life.

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Benefits of Ketamine Infusions for Pain

Ketamine is unique as a pain treatment in that it’s not simply used to dull physical pain, but is very powerful for treating neuropathic pain, or pain caused by nerve damage or disease. This kind of pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation. Low dose ketamine has been found to produce strong analgesia in neuropathic pain states (Niesters et al, 2014). Not only that, but some studies have found that ketamine therapy produces long-term analgesic (pain numbing) effects for up to 3 months following infusion (Niesters et al, 2014).

Ketamine is also not an opioid and is typically not addictive. When administered by professionals at Illinois Pain & Spine Institute, ketamine can be a great alternative to opioid medications. When used during surgery, ketamine has been found to reduce the amount of opioids needed to relieve pain (Brown et al, Crit Care Nurse 2020).

Is Ketamine Therapy An Option For You?

Ketamine therapy is used primarily in treating nerve pain. It’s not commonly prescribed, and is often reserved for the worst cases of acute or chronic neuropathic pain. Most patients won’t need ketamine infusions, but those who do will get great relief from them. One reason that people opt for ketamine therapy is to treat pain that is resistant to NSAIDs or opioids.

If you’re dealing with nerve pain as a result of surgery, amputation (phantom pain), injury to the nerves, cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDs, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, sickle cell disease, or a stroke, ketamine therapy might be just what you need. It may also be useful for patients dealing with pain who do not want to use opioids. However, ketamine can be used together with opioids in order to provide more effective pain relief for severe pain.

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The knowledgeable physicians at Illinois Pain & Spine Institute are trained in the precise diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions. Call today to request an appointment for an in-office consultation with one of our physicians to develop your customized treatment plan.

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FAQs about Ketamine Treatment in Chicago

What is ketamine and how does it work?

Ketamine is a dissociative drug that can be used as a sedative, an analgesic, and a recreational drug. It acts on a chemical receptor called NDMA, which is partially responsible for modulating pain. Ketamine has a wide range of uses and has a very low overdose potential. However, due to its potential for abuse, it’s classified as a Schedule III drug, which means it’s not available without a prescription.

Will ketamine work for me?

Ketamine infusion therapy is not used for all pain. It is primarily used for neuropathic pain, or pain that is caused by nerve damage. If you have chronic or acute pain that feels like a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation, and other medications have not been effective at relieving your pain, ketamine may be right for you.

What disorders can ketamine infusions treat?

Ketamine infusions are not used to cure or treat any particular diseases, however they can relieve pain caused by surgery, amputation, nerve damage, cancer, HIV/AIDs, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, sickle cell disease, and stroke, among others.

How long will the effects last?

At Illinois Pain & Spine Institute, we deal with every patient’s needs on an individual basis. The duration of effects will depend on the type of pain you come in for, how severe the pain is, and how you respond to the treatment.

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Citations:

Ketamine for Acute Pain Management and Sedation https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2020419

Ketamine for chronic pain: risks and benefits https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.12094