Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability around the world, and, unfortunately, the World Health Organization estimates that the number of people suffering from chronic back pain will jump from 619 million to 843 million by 2050.
While you might not be alone in the battle against chronic back pain, solidarity doesn’t take the edge off the pain. That’s where ketamine therapy comes into play. Often discussed for its ability to help with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ketamine can also help manage chronic back pain.
Take a moment as Dr. Hadi Estakhri and our team at Allied Psychiatry & Mental Health here in Newport Beach, California, explain how intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy can help ease your chronic back pain.
Ketamine is FDA-approved for use as an anesthetic, and it’s been used that way since 1970. While it was originally approved for use as an anesthetic for surgery, researchers found that it is also an alternative for chronic pain conditions, including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and neuropathic pain.
Ketamine can be administered intravenously or as a nasal spray called Spravato™.
Ketamine helps ease chronic back pain in three ways:
Chronic back pain often results from nerve damage or dysfunction in transmitting pain signals. Ketamine blocks NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors in your brain — receptors responsible for transmitting pain signals. Ketamine keeps these channels shut, reducing pain signal transmission and pain sensation.
For people with chronic pain, these pathways can become overactive, which causes your body to perceive pain even when no injury is present. Ketamine disrupts this cycle, helping to reset your brain’s response to pain.
Ketamine can boost the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps promote relaxation and calm. Unlike glutamate, which stimulates brain activity, GABA slows things down, so you can experience a more relaxed state.
If your chronic pain increases your stress levels — chronic pain and stress often exacerbate each other — then the more relaxed state can be a welcome benefit of ketamine.
Ketamine not only blocks pain signals but also has anti-inflammatory effects and helps to reduce swelling and inflammation around your nerves and muscles. This can provide both immediate and long-lasting relief.
Ketamine is administered intravenously. Our team cleans the area and inserts a small catheter into your vein. This allows the medication to flow into your bloodstream and bypass your digestive system.
If you’ve ever had an IV in a med spa or medical setting, the process is similar.
Unlike many traditional pain medications, ketamine can provide relief relatively quickly. Patients often experience pain reduction within hours of receiving a ketamine infusion, which makes it a useful option for those who need fast relief from chronic back pain.
You may feel out-of-sorts or groggy for a bit, but that’s normal. You should have a friend or family member drive you home after your IV therapy. Once you wake up the next morning, you should feel refreshed.
If you’re struggling with chronic back pain, talk to us. Dr. Estakhri is happy to discuss your symptoms, take your medical history, and determine if ketamine therapy is right for you.
To learn more, schedule a ketamine consultation today. Call us at 949-945-0927 or book an appointment online anytime.
