No one is a stranger to pain. It is the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong, either inside our body or in our environment. Usually, the pain we experience subsides when the immediate cause disappears, or when our injuries heal. In cases of chronic pain, pain becomes more than just a symptom but a disorder.
Types and Causes of Chronic Pain
There are numerous types and causes of chronic pain, and many people with chronic pain suffer from more than one type.
- Nociceptive Pain is caused by injury to the body’s visceral and muscular tissues, resulting from injury or disease such as cancer or osteoarthritis.
- Inflammatory/Autoimmune Pain is caused by the overactivity of the inflammatory response, part of the body’s natural immune response to injury or disease. For example, Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes its own tissue as a foreign invader and mounts an aggressive response. Other autoimmune disorders such as Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease are often accompanied by chronic pain.
- Neuropathic Pain is the chronic and often progressive irritation of nerve cells due to injury, disease, or infection. Examples include peripheral neuropathies, spinal cord injuries, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Chronic Pain is More Than Physical
Chronic pain can greatly interfere with our ability to complete the tasks of ordinary life and prevent us from engaging in activities that bring us joy. It is common for individuals suffering from chronic pain to also experience depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other mental health issues. If these issues are a part of your experience, Thrive Wellness offers the option of working with a psychotherapist during the ketamine infusions to address these issues.
How Ketamine Can Help
Chronic pain has been linked to the overactivation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) nerve receptor. Repeated, low-dose IV infusion of ketamine has been proven to interrupt this process by blocking these receptors, inhibiting the transmission of pain signals, resulting in the reduction or elimination of pain. Many of our patients can reduce or eliminate the use of opioid and other analgesic medications with an individualized regimen of IV ketamine infusions.
You are More Than Your Pain
At Thrive, you’ll find much more than a one-size-fits-all approach to chronic pain treatment. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team will work with you and your other providers to address your individual concerns and help you reduce your pain and get you back to your life. We understand that chronic pain is often unrelenting, and the search for relief can be disheartening and exhausting. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.