Ketamine Infusion Therapy

What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

Ketamine is a medication that has been safely used in medical settings for decades because of its anesthetic and pain-relieving properties. At low doses, ketamine infusion therapy may help interrupt abnormal pain signaling pathways and reduce symptoms associated with chronic pain and certain neurological or mood disorders.

Ketamine works differently than traditional pain medications by targeting receptors involved in pain processing and nervous system sensitization. This unique mechanism may help patients who have not responded adequately to other therapies.

Conditions That May Benefit from Ketamine Therapy

Ketamine infusion therapy may be recommended for patients experiencing:

• Chronic neuropathic pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic migraines and intractable headaches
• Post-surgical nerve pain
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Central sensitization syndromes
• Severe chronic pain conditions
• Treatment-resistant depression in coordination with a mental health provider

Ketamine may be especially beneficial for patients experiencing chronic nerve-related pain or widespread pain syndromes that have not improved with conservative treatment options.

What to Expect During Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine therapy is administered through a carefully monitored IV infusion in a comfortable clinical setting.

During treatment:

• A small IV is placed to deliver medication directly into the bloodstream
• Vital signs are continuously monitored throughout the infusion
• Treatment is customized based on your condition and response
• Most infusions last approximately 40–60 minutes with additional recovery time afterward

Some patients experience relaxation, mild dissociation, or a floating sensation during treatment. Because ketamine can temporarily affect coordination and perception, patients will need transportation home following their infusion.

Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine infusion therapy may help:

• Reduce chronic pain intensity
• Calm overactive pain signaling pathways
• Improve nerve-related pain symptoms
• Decrease migraine frequency and severity
• Improve function and activity tolerance
• Reduce reliance on pain medications
• Improve mood and overall quality of life

Results vary depending on the condition being treated, severity of symptoms, and individual patient response.

Comprehensive Chronic Pain Care

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, ketamine infusion therapy is often combined with additional therapies to create a personalized treatment plan focused on long-term symptom management and improved function.

Additional treatment options may include:

Interventional Pain Management

• Epidural steroid injections
• Sympathetic nerve blocks
• Stellate ganglion blocks
• Trigger point injections
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
• Peripheral nerve stimulation

Supportive & Regenerative Therapies

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Pain psychology and stress management
• Acupuncture and integrative therapies
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Red light therapy to support healing and recovery

Is Ketamine Therapy Right for You?

Every patient experiences pain differently, and ketamine therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. Our providers take time to thoroughly evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals to determine whether ketamine infusion therapy may be beneficial for your condition.

For patients seeking ketamine therapy for depression or mood-related conditions, ongoing care with a psychiatric provider or mental health professional is required as part of a coordinated treatment approach.

If chronic pain, migraines, CRPS, fibromyalgia, or neuropathic pain are affecting your quality of life, contact Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today to schedule a consultation and learn more about ketamine infusion therapy.