Ketamine Therapy for Chronic Pain in Charlotte, NC
Living with chronic pain, especially neuropathic or complex pain, can wear down both body and mood. If pain management approaches have not given you enough relief, ketamine therapy may be worth understanding as a non-opioid option. At our clinic in Charlotte, NC, a physician evaluates every patient first and coordinates with your other providers when appropriate.
What Chronic Pain Is and Why Standard Treatments Sometimes Fall Short
Chronic pain that lasts beyond normal healing time can involve the nervous system itself, as in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and certain migraine and long COVID presentations. Standard care ranges from physical therapy and nerve targeting medications to interventional procedures and, sometimes, opioids. Many people want a path that does not rely on opioids. When standard options fall short, a treatment that acts on pain signaling differently becomes worth considering.
A Different Mechanism
Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, which play a role in central sensitization, the process by which the nervous system becomes increasingly responsive to pain signals. By acting on this pathway, ketamine may interrupt some of the amplified signaling that sustains certain chronic pain conditions. This is a different target than opioids, which act on opioid receptors. Our overview of how ketamine therapy works explains the mechanism in plain language.
What the Evidence Shows
- A randomized controlled trial reported that a course of ketamine infusions reduced pain in patients with complex regional pain syndrome, with benefits lasting for weeks (Schwartzman et al., 2009).
- A separate randomized controlled trial found that ketamine infusions reduced pain in CRPS patients compared with placebo over a multi week period (Sigtermans et al., 2009).
- A review of ketamine for chronic pain summarizes the evidence across neuropathic and other pain conditions and discusses appropriate use and limits (Niesters, Martini, and Dahan, 2014).
This research is meaningful and still developing. Ketamine does not relieve all chronic pain, the strongest evidence is in specific conditions such as CRPS, and we present it honestly as one option among several.
What Treatment Looks Like for Chronic Pain
Pain protocols typically use a series of infusions, sometimes at different dosing than mood protocols, followed by maintenance sessions spaced to your response. A clinician monitors your vital signs throughout. Because pain and mood interact, many patients notice changes in both. Our what to expect page describes each visit in detail.
Realistic Outcomes
In published studies, a portion of participants with conditions such as CRPS experienced clinically meaningful pain reduction lasting weeks. Results vary by diagnosis and person, benefits can fade without maintenance, and some people do not respond. We never describe ketamine as a permanent fix.
Safety and Screening
Our physician reviews your medical history, current pain medications, and relevant cardiovascular health before recommending treatment, because ketamine is not appropriate for everyone. Monitoring during infusions and a supervised recovery period are standard, and we coordinate with your other providers as needed. This careful screening is built into the consultation every patient completes first.
A Practical Next Step
If chronic pain has not responded to standard care, a conversation with a physician is a low pressure way to learn whether ketamine fits your situation. Because pain and mood are connected, you may also want to read about ketamine for depression or browse the FAQ.
Common Questions About Chronic Pain
Is this a pain clinic or a psychiatric clinic?
Ketamine Therapy in Charlotte treats both mood conditions and certain chronic pain conditions with ketamine. Pain and mood often interact, and our physician led approach lets us evaluate the whole picture. We coordinate with your pain management or primary care provider when appropriate.
Will my pain doctor need to be involved?
We encourage coordination with your existing pain or primary care provider, especially if you take other pain medications. With your permission, we can share relevant information so your care stays connected.
What is the maintenance schedule for chronic pain?
Pain protocols often involve a series of infusions followed by spaced maintenance sessions. The right schedule depends on your diagnosis and response, which we map out together rather than promising a fixed plan.
Can ketamine help me reduce opioids?
Some patients pursue ketamine hoping to reduce reliance on opioids. Any changes to opioid therapy must be made carefully and in coordination with your prescriber. We do not promise a specific outcome, and safety guides every decision.