Ketamine infusions are used at Pacific Pain & Wellness Group as a physician-guided treatment option for selected patients with chronic pain conditions, treatment-resistant depression, and certain mental health symptoms. This resource explains how ketamine fits into care at PPWG and helps patients find the right treatment path.
PPWG separates ketamine care into two clinical tracks because patients usually arrive with different goals, coverage questions, and medical histories:
- Ketamine infusions for chronic pain, including carefully selected chronic pain and nerve-related pain presentations.
- Ketamine infusions for depression and mental health, including treatment-resistant depression and related symptoms when clinically appropriate.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication that has been used in medical settings for decades. Ketamine hydrochloride is FDA-approved as an intravenous or intramuscular medication for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. In pain management and mental health care, ketamine may be used off-label under medical supervision for carefully selected patients.
This distinction matters. Ketamine is not FDA-approved to treat psychiatric disorders or chronic pain. Esketamine, a related medication sold as Spravato, has separate FDA-approved depression indications and is administered under a restricted safety program. PPWG's ketamine infusion information should be understood as educational content, not a guarantee of coverage, eligibility, or outcome.
Ketamine for chronic pain
For some chronic pain patients, ketamine may be considered when pain has not responded well to standard treatment options. Ketamine works differently from opioid medications and may affect pain signaling through NMDA receptor activity. Patients commonly ask about ketamine for chronic pain, nerve pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), fibromyalgia-type pain, and other difficult pain conditions.
The pain-management track is best reviewed with a clinician who can evaluate the diagnosis, prior treatments, medication history, safety considerations, and whether ketamine is appropriate as part of a broader pain plan. Patients interested in pain-related care should start with the ketamine for chronic pain page.
Ketamine for depression and mental health
Ketamine is also discussed in mental health care because of its potential role for selected patients with treatment-resistant depression and related symptoms. At PPWG, mental health treatment may include psychotherapy, medication management, TMS therapy, and other evidence-based care. Ketamine is not the right first step for everyone, and mental health eligibility should be reviewed by the clinical team.
Coverage and payment questions may differ between ketamine for mental health and ketamine for pain. Patients should not assume that coverage rules are the same for both tracks. Patients interested in mental-health-related care should start with the ketamine infusions for depression page.
What to expect during an infusion
Ketamine infusions are administered in a monitored clinical setting. A clinician reviews medical history, medications, treatment goals, and safety considerations before treatment. During an infusion, the care team monitors vital signs and patient response. Some patients experience temporary dissociation, sedation, nausea, changes in blood pressure, or other effects that should be discussed before treatment.
For a step-by-step overview, read what to expect during ketamine infusion therapy.
How ketamine differs from opioids
Patients with chronic pain often want to understand how ketamine compares with opioid medications. Opioids and ketamine act through different mechanisms and have different risks. Ketamine is not a simple substitute for opioids, and it should not be presented as risk-free. The decision depends on the patient's diagnosis, medical history, current medications, and treatment goals.
For more context, read ketamine vs. opioids for pain management.
Related ketamine resources
- Ketamine infusions for mental health
- Ketamine therapy for chronic pain management
- What to expect during ketamine infusion therapy
- Ketamine vs. opioids for pain management
Request an appointment
If you are considering ketamine infusions, the next step is a clinical evaluation. PPWG can help determine whether your symptoms, diagnosis, medical history, and treatment goals fit the pain-management or mental-health ketamine track.
Request an appointment to discuss whether ketamine treatment may be appropriate for you.