What is Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

Ketamine infusion therapy can be used to treat chronic pain, depression, migraines and other neuropathic painful conditions when those conditions have resisted treatment. Ketamine is typically administered intravenously through a series of infusions depending on the patient’s needs. The mechanism of action of ketamine is believed to be through the blockade of NMDA and HCN1 receptors. This biological reaction to the drug then provides relief from pain.

At Greater Austin Pain Center, we offer ketamine IV therapy as one of our many treatment options for managing chronic pain. Contact us today to learn more!

Is Ketamine treatment Safe?

Ketamine has been used in the medical industry for over 50 years. Originally used as an anesthetic during surgery, ketamine has recently been clinically-proven to be effective for other uses. Ketamine, when administered through an IV, can be used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain for patients who have not had success treating their conditions with other treatments and medications.

Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy treat Chronic pain?

While everyone feels pain, chronic pain can be long-term and affect one’s daily life and ability to participate in their favorite activities. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include aches, burning sensations, throbbing, stiffness, and soreness. Attempts may be made to treat chronic pain and its symptoms with high-dose medications and topical creams. When these medications and all other treatments have failed at managing pain, however, it can take a toll on one’s mental health and lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Fortunately, ketamine therapy is a treatment option for those patients who have not had success managing their pain with first-line options.

Ketamine infusion therapy has proven to be successful at treating neuropathic painful conditions, migraines, complex regional pain syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and fibromyalgia. Ketamine can also treat mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

If standard treatment has not provided you with relief for these conditions, contact one of our pain clinics in Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos to see if this innovative treatment is right for you!

What to Expect From Ketamine Infusion Treatment

When you schedule an appointment with Greater Austin Pain Center, one of our pain specialists will take the time to learn more about you, your medical history, and your experience with pain. If it’s clear that your chronic pain condition has resisted other treatments, then we may designate you as a good candidate for ketamine infusion. If that decision is made, our specialists will then determine a treatment plan that works for you and choose a dosage that is appropriate for your body weight.

Patients can expect their ketamine infusion treatments to last 60 minutes. Ketamine is administered slowly through an IV. Results, however, may be fast-acting, and you may experience feelings of disassociation or deep relaxation during your infusion. Throughout your treatment, our healthcare professionals will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels as a precautionary measure and stop treatment if your vitals are irregular.

While side effects are minimal, patients undergoing ketamine IV infusion may experience dizziness, light sensitivity, nausea, confusion, fatigue, and/or loss of appetite. As such, it is mandatory that patients have a friend or family member accompany them home after their infusion treatment.

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Our Ketamine Treatment Process

1

Schedule an Appointment

Call Greater Austin Pain or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment at one of our three pain management treatment centers in Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos.

2

Determine a Treatment Plan

At your appointment, we’ll learn more about your medical history and experience with pain. If you’re a good candidate for ketamine infusion, we’ll then determine a treatment plan and choose an appropriate dosage for your body weight.

3

Ketamine IV Treatment

You’ll receive ketamine administered through an IV infusion during a 60 minute session. Our specialists will monitor your vitals throughout your session and provide information on next steps.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."

Genia G.

"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"

Maggie G.

"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."

Nancy M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ketamine therapy?

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Ketamine is a medication that’s known to work as a “dissociative anesthetic.” This means that it can make you feel detached from your surroundings. Ketamine therapy is the use of ketamine in a clinical setting, used to treat chronic pain as well as depression.

How does ketamine therapy work?

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Most people who take ketamine will experience it as an infusion. This means that the drug is administered intravenously, usually with a syringe and needle, for up to an hour per session. A “round” of ketamine infusions typically comprises several sessions spread over a few weeks.

What does ketamine therapy do?

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Because Ketamine can help you feel detached from your surroundings, it can, at low doses, help provide relief from chronic pain and depression, as well as reduce suicidal ideation.

What does ketamine treatment feel like?

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Patients typically report feeling disconnected from their surroundings, almost as if they were floating. Your mind may also wander and you may feel deeply relaxed despite being awake.

Does ketamine infusion therapy work?

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Yes. Pain specialists have found that low doses of ketamine can provide relief from severe and chronic pain caused by trauma, injuries, and chronic pain. 

Is ketamine therapy safe?

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Ketamine therapy is safe to use in a controlled medical practice, such as our ketamine clinic in Austin, however it can be hazardous if taken for recreational use.

Unlike other anesthetics, it does not depress breathing or blood pressure, though it can cause unpleasant side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness and nausea.

Are there ketamine specialists in Austin?

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Yes. At the Greater Austin Pain Center, our chronic pain doctors are experts in the use of intravenous (IV) ketamine treatments for managing chronic pain, and can work with you to alleviate your physical symptoms.

Moreover, if you currently use opioids for pain management, our ketamine specialists can help you minimize your narcotic intake and while providing maximum relief.

Is ketamine therapy effective for treating depression caused by chronic pain?

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Yes. In fact, unlike other antidepressants, which can take weeks or months to work, patients who take ketamine often see improvements within just a few hours. This makes it both an effective and fast-acting treatment for both pain management and depression caused by chronic pain. 

Do you provide ketamine assisted psychotherapy?

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As a pain management focused clinic, we currently do not offer psychotherapy, however we do provide ketamine infusion therapy for managing chronic pain, which can improve your mental health. 

Are there ketamine clinics outside Austin, Texas?

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Yes. In fact, we have an Austin ketamine clinic in South Austin, as well as in Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos. You can give us a call at any one of our locations to schedule your ketamine assisted therapy treatment. 

Lunch & Learn With Our Doctors

Curious about interventive pain treatments in Austin, TX? Join our doctors for an in-person lunch and learn session to find out more about these treatments and ask any questions you may have. This event will be 12–1pm, sign up below to receive more details and RSVP.

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Take Back Your Life with Ketamine Infusion Therapy

If you suffer from treatment-resistant chronic pain and want to take back control of your life, contact Greater Austin Pain to learn more about our ketamine infusion therapy. With four convenient locations in Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos, our pain management specialists are eager to help you find a solution to your chronic pain.

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