Ketamine Infusion Therapy: An Innovative Treatment Option for RSD / CRPS
CRPS/RSD is usually caused by nerve and tissue damage stemming from a trauma such as a musculoskeletal or nerve injury, surgery, or extended immobilization. As the damaged nerves misfire or otherwise malfunction, they send constant pain signals to the brain, leading to the severe, chronic pain that characterizes this syndrome. Generally speaking, symptoms of CRPS/RSD may include:
- Pain that is more severe than the original injury/trauma and/or does not subside with healing
- Pain that is deep, cold or burning, aching, and/or involves increased skin sensitivity
- Moderate-to-severe pain stemming from unusual sources (such as wearing clothing)
- Moderate-to-severe pain that continues after exposure to painful stimulation
- Abnormal swelling in the affected area
- Abnormal skin changes, such as change in color or temperature, or temperature differentials across the body
- Abnormal sweating
- Abnormal nail and/or hair growth
- Temporary or limited paralysis, range of motion, and/or weakness
Unfortunately, as of right now, there is no way to “cure” this chronic condition; however, with appropriate and well-coordinated treatment, it is possible to manage symptoms and reduce and even relieve the pain to enable CRPS/RSD sufferers to return to their healthy, active lifestyle.
Is Ketamine an Appropriate Treatment Option for CRPS/RSD?
Low dose Ketamine Infusion Therapy may offer an innovative new treatment option for individuals suffering from this debilitating syndrome. While ketamine has long been accepted by the medical community as a fast-acting and highly-effective anesthetic, new research clearly indicates ketamine’s effectiveness in treating chronic pain when administered in sub-anesthetic doses. Moreover, ketamine can deliver powerful pain relief without the negative side effects and potential problems associated with more traditional treatment options such as narcotics and opioids.
While research on the benefits of ketamine as a treatment for chronic pain is ongoing, it is currently believed that ketamine works by resetting the central nervous system’s sensitization to pain. In other words, ketamine calms the nerves themselves, thus raising the threshold at which the body’s neurons start sending pain signals to the brain. The higher threshold for pain signals reduces the number of pain signals sent to the brain, leading to an overall reduction in the pain experienced by individuals with CRPS/RSD.
Low dose Ketamine Infusion Therapy for CRPS/RSD involves a series of ketamine infusions followed by maintenance infusions at longer intervals to ensure long-term pain relief. Infusions involve slowly administering ketamine directly into the bloodstream through an IV. At Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art clinic accredited by AAAASF, we utilize digital infusion pumps to deliver precisely tailored dosages that can be changed extremely rapidly as each patient responds to the treatment. Each treatment plan and individual infusion is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of every individual depending on their specific diagnosis and overall health.
Contact Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with CRPS / RSD and you believe Ketamine Infusion Therapy might offer pain relief, we encourage you to contact Dr. Steven L. Mandel at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles immediately to find out if Ketamine Infusion Therapy is an appropriate treatment option.
For more information about Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments for depression, bipolar, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and other conditions contact us at Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California (Orange County) by clicking here or calling 310-270-0625.
