Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Depression and Chronic Pain

When medications are no longer effective at managing chronic pain or depression, the ketamine infusion services at AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness may be the alternative solution you’re looking for.

Our board-certified anesthesiology team specializes in ketamine infusion therapy to help adults find lasting relief from mental and physical health issues.

We customize a ketamine treatment plan to your unique challenges, so you can enjoy a higher quality of life without depending on daily medications.

How ketamine treats depression and pain

Ketamine is a surgical anesthetic that keeps people relaxed and calm. The prescription medication has also shown great promise as a treatment option for chronic pain conditions and depression and other mental health issues.

In lower doses than used for surgery, ketamine interacts directly with the brain to control pain and regulate moods. The medicine interacts directly with the brain’s neurotransmitters, boosting levels of glutamate to quickly relieve treatment-resistant depression symptoms in people who don’t respond well to traditional medications.

Ketamine also helps repair damaged neural pathways and creates new ones to support healing and lasting pain relief. For this reason, our pain management team can use infusions of ketamine to address a wide range of pain conditions, including:

• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines
• Neuropathy (nerve pain)
• Chronic regional pain syndrome (CPRS)

Often, just one ketamine infusion can provide significant changes in the frequency and severity of your physical or mental health condition. This can reduce your reliance on potentially addictive narcotics and medications that increase risk factors for health complications.

What to expect during your first ketamine infusion

Our AABP Integrative Pain Care & Wellness team prioritizes your health and safety during in-office ketamine infusions.

During your medically supervised procedure, we deliver the medications into a vein through an intravenous (IV) line and proactively monitor your vital signs while the medications slowly drip into your bloodstream.

It’s common for people to experience the effects of treatment before the infusion is complete. You might feel very relaxed, warm, and have less pain while receiving the medication. People with depression may experience a noticeable lifting of their symptoms and sometimes also experience euphoric sensations.

When your infusion ends, our team removes the IV line and assesses your vital signs. After a brief period of recovery, you can leave the office and will need someone to drive you home.

Qualifying for maintenance infusions

If your initial ketamine infusion is successful in treating pain or depression, our providers will discuss your options for maintenance infusions.

Typically, a series of 6-8 sessions, scheduled over several weeks, is necessary to achieve optimal results. Your provider designs a treatment plan based on your general health, symptom severity, and treatment goals.

We also provide resources you can use to support your physical and mental health in between your scheduled infusions. We focus on holistic strategies like exercise and nutrition to ensure your body has what it needs to thrive.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness in Brooklyn, New York, today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for treatment-resistant depression or chronic pain. You can also book a consultation online.