The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that nearly 16 million Americans suffer from chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain can be caused by many medical conditions: stroke, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, alcoholism, complex regional pain syndrome, and more. However, while the cause may vary, one fact remains consistent: nerve pain is no fun to live with.
The symptoms of neuropathic pain vary in nature, but include:
- Spontaneous shooting, burning, or stabbing pain
- Intense pain caused by minor stimuli, for example, cold or hot objects, gentle brushing against the skin, or a pin prick
- Trouble sleeping, leading to emotional or mental health disorders
Treating neuropathic pain often starts with treating the underlying symptom, for example, shrinking a tumor that is pressing on a nerve, etc. Otherwise, pain management becomes the primary goal, so the patient may reclaim their quality of life. However, opiate-based medications which are prescribed for chronic pain patients are often ineffective for nerve pain patients. Anti-seizure drugs like Gabapentin and Pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline, are commonly prescribed to neuropathic pain patients, and they also find that topical solutions, like lidocaine or capsaicin, effectively relieve pain.
For patients unable to find relief through medications or topic solutions, a nerve block, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, or brain stimulation may help. Additionally, ketamine for neuropathic pain can work when other therapies fail. An NIH study concludes that ketamine infusions are effective at reducing neuropathic pain for up to three months following the initial series of infusions. In addition, ketamine therapy also treats the emotional pain that so typically comes in tow with chronic nerve pain, making it a powerful solution for a hard-to-treat medical condition.
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics
VIP Ketamine Clinics is owned and operated by one of Modesto’s leading interventional pain and functional medicine specialists. We offer an integrated approach to pain management, including ketamine infusions. If you are curious about ketamine and want to find out if you’re a candidate, please reach out to us using the brief form below! We are happy to answer your questions and point you in the direction of health and hope.