Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Ketamine infusion therapy has emerged as a potential treatment option for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition often characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. Here’s an overview of ketamine therapy and CRPS:
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How does it work?
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NMDA Receptor Antagonism: Ketamine primarily works by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain and CNS, which play a key role in pain transmission and modulation. This can help reduce central sensitization (a highly reactive state of the nervous system which amplifies pain signals) a phenomenon often seen in CRPS.
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Anti-inflammatory Properties: Research suggests that ketamine’s anti-inflammatory effects address some of the underlying causes of CRPS.
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Neuroplasticity: Ketamine helps to restore or improve neuroplasticity, which is disrupted in chronic pain conditions like CRPS.
Key Points
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Infusion Protocols: Ketamine infusions for CRPS typically involve a series of treatments over several days or weeks, with dosages tailored to the individual. Patients are monitored for side effects and effectiveness of the treatment.
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Pain Relief: Some studies have reported significant reductions in pain levels following ketamine infusion therapy in patients with CRPS. However, as is often the case, results can vary among individuals.
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Duration of Effect: The pain relief experienced rarely lasts forever but patients typically experience several months of pain relief before needing a booster infusion. Booster infusions are necessary to maintain the positive changes ketamine has made on the central nervous system’s pain response.
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Side Effects: Common side effects include dissociation, hallucinations, and changes in blood pressure. These effects are transient and patients often enjoy the experience and accompanying sensations. For more information on the side effects of ketamine infusions can be found here.
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If you're considering ketamine infusion therapy as a treatment for migraines, schedule a telehealth consultation with Dr. Greenberg here. Treatment protocols and pricing for chronic pain conditions can be found here.
You can learn more about the research surrounding ketamine therapy for chronic neuropathic pain by visiting our research page here.