Ketamine Infusion

Ketamine infusion therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment used to manage chronic pain that does not respond to conventional therapies. Ketamine is a medication originally developed as an anesthetic, but at low doses it can help reduce pain signals and reset how the nervous system processes pain. During treatment, ketamine is delivered through an intravenous (IV) infusion, allowing for controlled dosing and continuous monitoring in a clinical setting.

What Conditions Does This Treatment Help?

Ketamine infusion therapy may be recommended for:

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Neuropathic (nerve-related) pain
Fibromyalgia
Chronic low back pain
Post-surgical or cancer-related pain

It is most commonly used when pain is severe, chronic, and resistant to other treatments.

How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Work?

Ketamine works differently from traditional pain medications.

It blocks NMDA receptors in the nervous system
This reduces abnormal pain signaling
It helps “reset” pain pathways and reduce hypersensitivity

This mechanism is especially helpful in nerve-related and centralized pain conditions. In some patients, it can provide rapid pain relief, sometimes even after the first session.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Before the Procedure

Evaluation of your pain condition and prior treatments
Review of medications and medical history

During the Procedure

Ketamine is administered through an IV infusion
You are closely monitored in a controlled setting
Sessions typically last 40 minutes to several hours, depending on the protocol

After the Procedure

Observation period until effects wear off
You will need someone to drive you home
Temporary drowsiness or altered sensation may occur

Benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy

✔ Effective for treatment-resistant chronic pain
✔ Works differently from opioids and traditional medications
✔ May provide rapid pain relief
✔ Can reduce reliance on other pain medications
✔ Helpful for neuropathic and complex pain conditions

Some patients experience pain relief lasting weeks after a series of treatments.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate if you:

Have chronic pain lasting 3 months or more
Have not responded to medications, injections, or therapy
Have nerve-related or centralized pain
Experience significant impact on daily life

Ketamine therapy is usually considered when standard treatments have failed.

Risks & Side Effects

Ketamine infusion therapy is generally safe under medical supervision, but possible side effects include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea or vomiting
Temporary dissociation (“out-of-body” feeling)
Increased blood pressure
Blurred vision

These effects are usually temporary and monitored during treatment.

When Is This Treatment Recommended?

Ketamine infusion therapy is typically recommended when:

Conservative treatments have failed
Pain is severe and difficult to control
Pain is neuropathic or centralized
Patients want an alternative to long-term opioid use

👉 It is considered an advanced treatment option for complex chronic pain cases

Recovery & Results

Some patients feel relief within hours or days
Others may require a series of treatments
Pain relief can last weeks to months
Maintenance sessions may be recommended

For certain conditions like CRPS, studies show meaningful short-term pain relief, though long-term outcomes vary.

FAQs

Is ketamine infusion safe?

Yes, when administered in a controlled medical setting with proper monitoring.

How many sessions will I need?

Many patients undergo a series of infusions for best results.

Will I be awake during the procedure?

Yes, but you may feel relaxed or slightly detached.

Is this a permanent cure?

No, but it can provide significant relief and improve quality of life.

Treatment Offered By Kansas Pain Management

Kansas Pain Management offers a comprehensive pain treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. The first step is a thorough evaluation, which includes a medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, if necessary.
Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

Kansas Pain Management also offers a range of minimally invasive procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function. With board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians, Kansas Pain Management is committed to providing the highest quality care for patients suffering from pain. You can book an appointment with us at Overland Park, Lawrence, Leavenworth/Lansing, Roeland Park, etc. We also serve nearby locations like Ottawa, Missouri, Topeka, Belton, Manhattan, Lee’s Summit, Johnson County & Kansas areas.