Living with chronic pain can make even ordinary parts of the day feel harder. When pain has lasted for months or years, the search for a next step can be exhausting, especially when standard approaches have not brought enough relief.
An estimated 24.3% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in 2023 (Lucas & Sohi, 2024). For people on the Delmarva Peninsula, specialized pain care can also be difficult to access close to home.
At KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, we do not begin with a one-size-fits-all protocol. We begin with your history, your symptoms, and what you have already tried before discussing whether IV ketamine therapy may be appropriate.
When Pain Signals Become Amplified
Some chronic pain is connected to ongoing tissue damage or nerve injury. In other cases, the nervous system itself becomes more sensitive to pain signals. This is known as central sensitization.
Central sensitization can contribute to allodynia, hyperalgesia, and pain that feels disproportionate to the original injury or tissue damage (Woolf, 2011). Conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain may involve central-sensitization components.
That does not mean every person with one of these conditions has the same experience or needs the same treatment. It means the full story of your pain matters.
How IV Ketamine May Fit Into Pain Care
IV ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist. NMDA receptors are involved in pain-processing pathways and may play a role in the wind-up processes that sustain central sensitization (Niesters et al., 2014).
Research has examined IV ketamine for selected chronic pain conditions. Randomized controlled trials in CRPS have reported pain reduction after IV ketamine protocols, although the degree and duration of benefit vary by individual, condition, and protocol (Schwartzman et al., 2009; Sigtermans et al., 2009).
At KetaMed, IV ketamine is the modality we evaluate for chronic pain. We do not use IM ketamine or troches for pain treatment. You can review the full range of conditions we treat to better understand where chronic pain fits within our clinical scope.
Your Evaluation Starts With the Full Picture
Chronic pain is rarely just one symptom on a chart. It can affect sleep, work, mobility, relationships, mood, and the energy it takes to get through the day.
At KetaMed, our clinical team reviews your pain history, symptom pattern, prior diagnostic workup, medications, previous treatments, and overall medical history before discussing whether IV ketamine may be appropriate.
Michelle Ridgeway is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Mirza Umair Baig is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. Our team approaches each evaluation as a conversation, not a rushed decision.
We also consider mental health factors, including depression. Chronic pain and depression commonly occur together and may influence pain severity, disability, and quality of life (Bair et al., 2003). For patients managing both, our depression treatment in Salisbury, MD may also be relevant to explore.
The Evidence Deserves an Honest Conversation
It is reasonable to have questions about ketamine for chronic pain. The research includes randomized trials in CRPS, as well as reviews and consensus guidance for selected pain presentations. At the same time, the evidence differs by condition, dose, infusion duration, and outcome measured (Cohen et al., 2018).
The evidence is stronger for some CRPS and neuropathic pain presentations than for fibromyalgia or migraine. We will be direct about those differences during consultation rather than making promises about what treatment can do.
Treatment Plans Are Individual
Pain-focused IV ketamine protocols may use different dosing and infusion-duration approaches than some mental health protocols. The right schedule depends on your diagnosis, medical history, response to care, and clinician judgment (Cohen et al., 2018).
We discuss these details in the context of your specific condition. That includes your cardiovascular history, current medications, pain diagnosis, and what you need to feel informed before moving forward. Our frequently asked questions page is a helpful resource for understanding what to expect from the process.
Care for Delmarva Patients With Chronic Pain
For chronic pain patients in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Dorchester, and surrounding Eastern Shore counties, KetaMed offers a local option to discuss IV ketamine therapy.
We are based in Salisbury and serve patients throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Our approach is straightforward: we listen to what you have been managing, review what has and has not helped, and have an honest conversation about whether IV ketamine may fit your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chronic pain conditions does KetaMed evaluate with IV ketamine?
KetaMed evaluates patients with CRPS, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and related chronic pain presentations. The evidence base and expected outcomes vary by condition, and these details are discussed during consultation.
How long does a pain-focused IV ketamine protocol take?
Pain protocols can involve longer infusions or more intensive schedules than some mental health protocols. The specific plan depends on diagnosis, medical history, and individual response.
Can ketamine be considered when chronic pain and depression occur together?
Chronic pain and depression often occur together and may affect one another (Bair et al., 2003). The evaluation considers both pain and mental health history when discussing whether IV ketamine may be appropriate.
Will I need to stop opioid medications before receiving ketamine for pain?
Do not stop or change opioid medications unless the prescribing clinician instructs you to do so. KetaMed conducts a medication review and may coordinate with other members of your care team when appropriate.
How long does pain relief from ketamine typically last?
Duration of benefit varies significantly by patient, condition, and protocol. Some CRPS trials have reported improvement after a series of infusions, while other patients may experience more limited or shorter-term benefit (Schwartzman et al., 2009; Sigtermans et al., 2009).
Key Takeaways
- Chronic pain can involve central sensitization, which may heighten pain sensitivity and contribute to allodynia or hyperalgesia (Woolf, 2011).
- IV ketamine has been studied for selected chronic pain conditions, including CRPS and neuropathic pain (Niesters et al., 2014).
- Research findings vary by condition and treatment approach. IV ketamine is not a guaranteed solution.
- At KetaMed, the evaluation considers your pain history, medical history, medications, prior treatments, and relevant mental health factors.
- IV ketamine for chronic pain is an off-label use, and results vary by individual (Cohen et al., 2018).
Considering IV Ketamine for Chronic Pain
When chronic pain has continued despite standard care, it can be hard to know what to try next. A thoughtful evaluation can help clarify whether IV ketamine is worth discussing for your specific condition.
At KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, our team provides a thorough, patient-centered assessment—not a promise of relief, but an honest conversation about your options and what the evidence may mean for you.
Schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.
References
Bair, M. J., Robinson, R. L., Katon, W., & Kroenke, K. (2003). Depression and pain comorbidity: A literature review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 163(20), 2433–2445. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.163.20.2433
Cohen, S. P., Bhatia, A., Buvanendran, A., Schwenk, E. S., Wasan, A. D., Hurley, R. W., Viscusi, E. R., Narouze, S., Davis, F. N., Ritchie, E. C., Lubenow, T. R., & Hooten, W. M. (2018). Consensus guidelines on the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for chronic pain from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 43(5), 521–546. https://doi.org/10.1097/AAP.0000000000000808
Lucas, J. W., & Sohi, I. (2024). Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in U.S. adults, 2023. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db518.htm
Niesters, M., Martini, C., & Dahan, A. (2014). Ketamine for chronic pain: Risks and benefits. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(2), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.12094
Schwartzman, R. J., Alexander, G. M., Grothusen, J. R., Paylor, T., Reichenberger, E., & Perreault, M. (2009). Outpatient intravenous ketamine for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. Pain, 147(1–3), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2009.08.015
Sigtermans, M. J., van Hilten, J. J., Bauer, M. C. R., Arbous, M. S., Marinus, J., Sarton, E. Y., & Dahan, A. (2009). Ketamine produces effective and long-term pain relief in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Pain, 145(3), 304–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2009.06.023
Woolf, C. J. (2011). Central sensitization: Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain, 152(3 Suppl.), S2–S15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pain.2010.09.030
About the KetaMed Team
At KetaMed Infusion Center in Salisbury, MD, our clinical team, including Michelle Ridgeway, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Mirza Umair Baig, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, approaches each evaluation as a complete clinical picture rather than a single presenting complaint.
We offer IV ketamine, IM ketamine, and ketamine troches for verified mental health conditions, with treatment options selected based on individual history, symptoms, and clinical evaluation.
Medical Disclaimer
The content in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. IV ketamine may be used off-label for chronic pain conditions. Results vary by individual. Always discuss treatment options, risks, and benefits with a qualified healthcare provider before making medical decisions. KetaMed Infusion Center is located in Salisbury, MD, and serves patients across the Delmarva Peninsula and Maryland Eastern Shore.