Imagine that you are listening to an over-the-air radio station and suddenly the signal fades, gets scrambled or lost. That is kind of what happens to nerves when they begin causing neuropathic pain. The signal from the nerve to the brain is distorted, and the resulting condition can cause sporadic or constant, chronic pain. The American Chronic Pain Association describes neuropathic pain as:

                  “…a complex, chronic pain state that usually is accompanied by tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the nerve fibers themselves might be damaged, dysfunctional, or injured. These damaged  nerve fibers send incorrect signals to other pain centers.”

Traditional methods of treating neuropathic pain in patients focus on dulling the signals to damaged nerves with pain medication or nerve blocks (read more at WebMD). These kinds of treatments can come with a chance of the pain recurring, as well as potential long-term negative side effects. If you or someone you know has that kind of pain and are looking for options, we offer ketamine infusion treatment an alternative to traditional methods of pain intervention.

Ketamine administered via infusion therapy works differently than other pain treatments, as it blocks NMDA receptors in the spinal cord in a process called ‘rebooting the brain’. (read more about NMDA here). Think of it as re-tuning that over-the-air radio we talked about earlier, to make the radio signal audible again.

Here are some independent resources to continue your study of ketamine infusion therapy, to help you educate yourself and make an informed decision about which course of action is right for you or a loved one:

• WebMD
• Yale Medicine
• Harvard Medical School

Our team of physicians has administered ketamine infusion therapy for neuropathic pain, and many other conditions, more than 2,000 times over the past six years. Contact us on our website or at (518) 249-5700 to schedule a confidential consultation.

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What Are Ketamine Infusions?

Ketamine may have a reputation as a party drug, but that’s been changing. Ketamine is an anesthetic that’s been used on both humans and animals since the 1970s. In large doses, and when taken without the guidance of a medical professional, ketamine can cause dissociation, psychedelic effects, and a loss of consciousness. However, when given as an infusion under the care of a doctor or nurse, ketamine can have healing properties. These infusions typically last about an hour.

Who Do They Help?

Ketamine infusions are able to help people who struggle with mental health issues, including depression and PTSD. For those struggling with depression, ketamine can offer relief in just a few short hours. This is a drastic difference from the time it takes for traditional medications, which often have to be used for months before they begin relieving symptoms. The same goes for PTSD—those struggling with the disorder have been shown to experience symptom relief much quicker than they do with other treatment methods.

Last Resort

When other treatment options fail, ketamine infusions may be a good solution. But ketamine is not the first method of treatment for mental illness. Traditional treatment options, including medication and therapy,  should be explored first before pursuing ketamine treatments. If other options fail, it may be time to consider exploring ketamine infusions.

Interested in learning more about ketamine infusions? We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today.

The post Ketamine Infusions the Last Resort for Mental Disorders? appeared first on Utica Ketamine Infusions.