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Chronic Refractory Pain: A Comprehensive Guide to The Causes and Treatment Options

Rakesh Goyal. MD

Chronic refractory pain has terrible effects on your life. The problem is as time moves on, so does chronic refractory pain. It is called chronic because it can last a long time and worsen if the right treatment isn’t taken. Chronic refractory pain is caused by physical injury to your body that results in persistent pain or soreness.

If you’re looking for IV ketamine infusion therapy in NY, get in touch with Ketamine Wellness Medical Practice.

In today’s society, chronic pain is a reality for many of us. This can make it hard to function every day. While anyone dealing with chronic pain has to consider the possibility of surgery or opioid medications as treatment options, these approaches aren’t always successful. This guide explains what chronic refractory pain is and covers one of thethe best treatment option you have available to you.


What is chronic refractory pain?


Chronic refractory pain is a type of neuropathic pain that has not responded to standard treatments. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system. This can happen because of an injury to the nervous system, such as a crush injury or nerve injury, or it may occur due to diseases that affect nerves, such as diabetes. Chronic refractory pain can result from injuries to the primary sensory fibers or secondary afferent neurons.


Causes of Chronic Refractory Pain


There are many causes of chronic refractory pain that vary from person to person. Some common causes include:


Arthritis - Arthritis is a common cause of CRP, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints leading to swelling and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis also frequently affects other areas of the body where tissues become inflamed, such as the eyes and lungs. 


Injury - Damage to nerves or tissues can compromise their ability to transmit signals that lead to long-term pain. 


Fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tenderness in the joints or soft tissues. 


Cancer - Cancer commonly produces pain, such as bone cancer which often leads to fractures.


The right treatment for chronic refractory pain


Ketamine infusion therapy can be the right option to treat chronic refractory pain. This form of therapy uses small doses of ketamine to block the transmission of pain from the spinal cord to your brain. 

With ketamine infusions, the pain relief can come quickly, often within minutes, and can last for days.

The length of time one feels relief varies from patient to patient based on the type of pain, duration of pain, ketamine dose and frequency of treatment. Each Ketamine session can be patient tailored and can last upto 5 hours. Patients usually need 5-8 sessions to achieve sustained pain relief is important to follow up with your provider to assess your progress after each treatment.


IV ketamine infusion therapy’s lab illustration

Chronic refractory pain is one of the most common conditions that people suffer from. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, several treatment options are available to help alleviate your symptoms. IV ketamine therapy is a safe and effective option for treating chronic refractory pain. Contact us today to learn more about our ketamine treatment for chronic pain in Long Island and how we can help you achieve your goals with ketamine infusions.


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