At KetaMed Infusions, we provide physician-led IV ketamine therapy specifically designed for adults dealing with spinal pain that hasn’t responded to traditional treatments. Whether you’re living with pain from spinal cord injury, chronic radiculopathy, or treatment-resistant back pain with a neuropathic component, our veteran-owned practice offers specialized protocols backed by medical expertise and genuine compassion. As the first ketamine clinic on the Delmarva Peninsula, we’ve established a reputation for delivering clinical, grounded care that helps patients regain function and quality of life.
Every treatment plan is built around your unique pain condition, symptoms, and goals. We don’t rely on rigid protocols—we adjust your care based on your individual response and what you’re experiencing throughout treatment.
Spinal pain encompasses several distinct conditions, including radiculopathy (nerve pain radiating from the spine), spinal cord injury-related pain, and chronic back pain with neuropathic features. Unlike typical muscle or joint pain, spinal pain often involves nerve damage or dysfunction that causes burning, shooting, or electric sensations along with the more familiar aching or stabbing pain. This type of pain can dramatically impact mobility, making simple daily activities like standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods extremely difficult.
When spinal pain becomes chronic, it affects far more than physical movement. It limits independence, disrupts sleep, strains relationships, and takes a serious toll on mental health and overall wellbeing. Many people with spinal pain find that conventional treatments—physical therapy, epidural injections, nerve blocks, or even surgery—provide inadequate relief or lose effectiveness over time. For those who’ve tried everything and are still suffering, IV ketamine therapy offers a different approach.
Ketamine is an FDA-approved anesthetic that has been used safely in medical settings for decades. When administered at lower doses through IV infusion, ketamine has shown particular effectiveness for neuropathic spinal pain—the nerve-related pain that often accompanies spinal cord injuries, radiculopathy, and chronic back conditions. Unlike opioids or anti-inflammatory medications that mask symptoms temporarily, ketamine targets the underlying mechanisms that amplify and maintain spinal pain.
At KetaMed, we use IV ketamine as a non-opioid option for treatment-resistant spinal pain. Research has demonstrated that ketamine can be especially effective for allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli) and other nerve-related pain symptoms that stem from spinal conditions. This treatment works differently from traditional spinal pain management, addressing the central nervous system changes that keep pain signals firing long after the initial injury.
Spinal pain, particularly when it involves nerve damage, often creates a condition called central sensitization. The nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals from the spinal cord and brain even when there’s minimal or no ongoing tissue damage. Ketamine works by targeting NMDA receptors in the spinal cord and central nervous system—key players in this pain amplification process.
By blocking these receptors, IV ketamine helps reduce central sensitization from spinal nerve damage, interrupt the amplification of pain signals, support normalization of pain pathways, and in some cases, create an environment that allows for better nerve healing. A 2013 study published in Spinal Cord found that patients with spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain experienced a 74.7% reduction in pain at the end of ketamine treatment, with pain decreasing by 96.8% at final follow-up. All patients in this study responded positively, with particularly strong results in those treated during the acute phase of their condition.
Your journey begins with an initial consultation and comprehensive spinal pain assessment. We’ll review your injury or condition history, previous treatments, current symptoms, and overall health to determine if IV ketamine is appropriate and safe for your specific situation. Our goal is to create a treatment plan that addresses your individual pain pattern and functional limitations.
The typical treatment course varies based on your condition and how you respond to therapy. Most patients receive a series of IV infusions, with the exact number and frequency tailored to your needs. Each infusion session takes place in our private treatment rooms with continuous medical monitoring to ensure your safety and comfort throughout. After each session, we’ll assess your pain levels, functional improvements, and any side effects to adjust your treatment plan as needed. We also work with you on long-term pain management strategies to help sustain your results over time.
IV ketamine therapy may be appropriate if you’re living with spinal cord injury-related pain, chronic radiculopathy that hasn’t responded to other treatments, or treatment-resistant back pain with a neuropathic component. The best candidates are those whose pain involves nerve damage or dysfunction—characterized by burning, shooting, tingling, or electric sensations—and who have tried multiple conventional therapies without adequate relief.
This treatment may not be suitable for patients with certain cardiac conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, or active substance use disorders. Every patient undergoes a comprehensive medical evaluation before beginning treatment to ensure both safety and appropriateness. It’s important to note that spinal pain treatment at KetaMed uses IV ketamine infusions only—not IM injections or oral troches.
Safety and quality of care are our top priorities at KetaMed. All IV ketamine infusions are supervised by licensed medical professionals with extensive experience in ketamine therapy for pain management. Your treatment takes place in private rooms designed for comfort and calm, with continuous medical monitoring throughout every session to track your vital signs and response to treatment.
Beyond the clinical aspects, we understand that living with spinal pain is exhausting, isolating, and often discouraging. We’re committed to creating a supportive environment where you feel heard, respected, and cared for throughout your treatment. Our focus extends beyond pain reduction to include functional improvement and helping you regain the activities and independence that matter most to you.
If you’re ready to explore whether IV ketamine therapy could help you find relief from spinal pain, we’re here to answer your questions and discuss your options. There’s no pressure—just honest guidance about whether this treatment makes sense for your situation.
Some patients notice improvement within 24 to 72 hours of their first infusion, though the most significant and lasting relief typically develops over the course of several treatments.
Explore the clinical evidence supporting IV ketamine for spinal cord injury and chronic back pain:
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2324 North Zion Road Unit 113, Salisbury, MD
