Ketamine for Chronic Pain Management: How It Works and What to Expect

Chronic pain is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people around the world, impacting quality of life, mental health, and day-to-day functioning. For many, traditional medications and therapies fall short. At Flowstate Therapy, we’re exploring innovative solutions—like ketamine therapy—to provide relief where other treatments haven’t succeeded.

In this blog, we explore how ketamine works for chronic pain, the conditions it may help, what to expect from treatment, and why it’s becoming a key player in the future of pain care.

What Is Ketamine and How Does It Work for Pain?

Ketamine was originally developed as a surgical anesthetic in the 1960s, but modern research has uncovered its powerful potential in managing chronic pain. Unlike opioids or anti-inflammatories, ketamine targets a different system in the brain—specifically the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, which are involved in amplifying pain signals.

By blocking these receptors, ketamine helps:

• Disrupt abnormal pain signaling

• Decrease central sensitization (a hallmark of many chronic pain syndromes)

• Promote neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize and rewire itself

This makes it especially effective for neuropathic pain and conditions involving “pain loops” that are deeply embedded in the nervous system.

📚 Supporting Research:
A review published in Pain Physician noted that ketamine infusions significantly reduce chronic pain symptoms in people with treatment-resistant conditions, particularly neuropathic pain and CRPS (source).

Conditions Ketamine May Help Manage

Ketamine is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. It’s most effective for certain types of chronic pain, especially when nerve involvement or centralized pain processing is present. These include:

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Ketamine is often used as a last resort for CRPS, with studies showing significant pain relief and improved mobility.

• Fibromyalgia: This widespread pain condition is notoriously difficult to treat. Ketamine helps reduce pain sensitivity and support energy, sleep, and cognitive function.

• Chronic Migraines & Cluster Headaches: Ketamine has shown promise in aborting intractable migraines and reducing the frequency of attacks.

• Diabetic Neuropathy: In patients with nerve damage from diabetes, ketamine can reduce pain intensity and improve quality of life.

• Phantom Limb Pain: After amputation, ketamine may help resolve abnormal pain sensations from missing limbs.

How Ketamine Works in the Body and Brain

Ketamine is unique in that it not only blocks pain but may also help reverse the neurological patterns that cause it. Here’s how:

1. NMDA Receptor Antagonism

Reduces hyperactive pain transmission in the central nervous system.

2. Increased Neuroplasticity

Encourages new, healthier neural pathways to form—crucial for long-term change.

3. Reduction of Central Sensitization

Over time, ketamine can “reset” the brain’s pain-processing circuits, reducing chronic pain’s grip on the nervous system.

📚 In-depth Evidence:
A 2021 meta-analysis published in Anesthesiology found that low-dose ketamine infusions provided significant analgesia in patients with chronic neuropathic pain and reduced opioid use (source).

What to Expect During Ketamine Treatment for Pain

At Flowstate Therapy, we personalize every treatment plan to ensure safety, comfort, and effectiveness. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

🩺 Initial Assessment

You’ll begin with a comprehensive medical consultation to review your pain history, current medications, past treatments, and goals. We assess both physical and psychological readiness to determine whether ketamine is appropriate for you.

💉 Treatment Sessions

For chronic pain, ketamine may be administered orally, intranasally, or via injection, depending on your needs. Sessions typically last 60–90 minutes in a relaxed, supervised setting. Most clients experience:

• A sense of disconnection from pain

• Relaxation of muscles and tension

• Shifts in how pain is perceived by the brain

🧠 Integration & Follow-Up

Pain is not just physical—so we help clients process the experience and apply tools to manage pain proactively. We offer ongoing integration therapy, pain tracking, and reassessment to ensure you're getting the best results.

Why Choose Ketamine for Chronic Pain?

Traditional treatments often focus on suppressing symptoms. Ketamine does something different: it addresses how the brain interprets pain.

Benefits include:

• Fast-acting relief — noticeable improvement within hours or days

• Lower risk of addiction compared to opioids

• Suitable for treatment-resistant cases

• Improved emotional well-being — particularly important when chronic pain and depression overlap

📚 Relevant Research:
A 2020 article in Health Psychology Research underscores the emotional and psychological benefits of ketamine in chronic pain patients, showing improved mood and decreased suicidal ideation (source).

Is Ketamine Right for You?

Not everyone with chronic pain is a candidate for ketamine therapy. It’s best suited for individuals who:

• Have tried multiple treatments without adequate relief

• Are looking for a non-opioid alternative

• Have diagnoses involving nerve pain or centralized pain processing

Our team at Flowstate Therapy will work with you to determine the best course of action, whether through ketamine, psychotherapy, or a multidisciplinary approach.

Where to Get Chronic Pain Help in Ottawa

In addition to Flowstate Therapy’s innovative treatments, several resources in the Ottawa area offer support for those managing chronic pain:

• The Ottawa Hospital Pain Clinic: Multidisciplinary services for complex pain.

• NeuPath Centre for Pain and Spine: Interdisciplinary programs for chronic conditions.

• Ottawa Physiotherapy & Sport Clinics: Physical rehabilitation and pain management support.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

At Flowstate Therapy, we offer science-backed treatments in a calm, client-centered environment. If you're struggling with chronic pain and seeking new solutions, we’re here to help.

📞 Book a consultation or 💬 contact us today to explore how ketamine therapy could change your relationship with pain—and your life.