IV Ketamine for Chronic Pain IN PHOENIX, PEORIA, AND MESA, ARIZONA

Mountain View Headache and Spine provides evidence-informed substance use disorder (SUD) treatment using intravenous ketamine therapy as part of a comprehensive, physician-directed care model. Ketamine has a unique mechanism of action on the glutamatergic system and NMDA receptors, which can rapidly modulate neural circuits implicated in addiction, craving, mood dysregulation, and relapse vulnerability. By targeting these pathways, IV ketamine may help interrupt maladaptive reward and stress responses that perpetuate substance dependence, particularly in patients with co-occurring depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or chronic pain.

At Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute, ketamine-assisted therapy is delivered in a controlled medical setting with rigorous patient selection, medical clearance, and continuous monitoring by experienced clinicians. Treatment protocols are individualized and integrated with behavioral health support, emphasizing safety, compliance, and clinical accountability. Patients undergo structured assessments before, during, and after treatment to evaluate symptom burden, cravings, functional improvement, and overall clinical response. Ketamine is not positioned as a standalone cure, but rather as a catalyst that can enhance neuroplasticity and responsiveness to ongoing recovery-oriented interventions.

This integrated approach allows patients to engage more effectively in psychotherapy, counseling, and relapse-prevention strategies by reducing symptom severity and improving cognitive flexibility during critical windows of recovery. Our program prioritizes ethical care, realistic expectations, and long-term outcomes, focusing on stabilization, improved quality of life, and sustained engagement in treatment. By combining advanced IV ketamine therapy with multidisciplinary medical oversight, Mountain View Headache and Spine offers a responsible, medically grounded option for individuals seeking innovative care for substance use disorders.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic medication that has been used safely in hospitals and operating rooms for decades. At lower doses than those used for surgery, ketamine works on the nervous system to relieve chronic pain, calm overactive pain pathways, and improve mood.

How does ketamine help with chronic pain?

Chronic pain often involves central sensitization, where the brain and spinal cord amplify pain signals even after the original injury has healed. Ketamine blocks NMDA receptors, which are central to pain transmission and the memory of pain.

By doing so, ketamine can:

Reduce widespread pain intensity.
Interrupt “pain wind-up” (worsening pain sensitivity).
Improve mobility and daily function.
Support better sleep and energy.
Lift mood and reduce the emotional burden of pain.

What types of chronic pain may respond to IV ketamine?

IV ketamine has shown benefits for patients with:

Fibromyalgia
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD)
Neuropathic pain (nerve injuries, diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia)
Central sensitization syndromes
Refractory migraines and headache disorders
Chronic low back and musculoskeletal pain not responding to other treatments

What does a typical treatment plan look like?

Induction phase: 4–6 low-dose IV infusions over 1–2 weeks.
Maintenance phase: Booster infusions every 4–8 weeks, if effective.
Supervision: All treatments are given in our clinic with careful monitoring of vital signs and mental status.

Is ketamine FDA-approved for chronic pain?

Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic, but its use in chronic pain is considered off-label. This means it is supported by decades of research and practice, though not specifically approved for this indication. A related medication, esketamine (Spravato®), is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression—showing ketamine’s growing acceptance in nervous system conditions.

How safe is IV ketamine therapy?

When performed in a medical clinic, IV ketamine is generally safe. Possible short-term effects may include:

Temporary dissociation or “out-of-body” sensation
Mild dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision
Small increases in blood pressure or heart rate
Rare headaches after infusion

These effects wear off within hours, and patients are monitored until stable. Long-term supervised medical use has not shown organ damage at therapeutic doses.

What benefits can patients expect?

Patients often report:

Pain relief within hours to days
Improved ability to engage in daily activities
Better sleep and cognitive clarity
Enhanced mood and reduced anxiety or depression
Decreased reliance on opioids or other medications

Relief may last weeks to months, with maintenance treatments as needed.

Who is a good candidate for IV ketamine?

You may be a candidate if you:

Live with chronic pain that has not improved with standard therapies.
Are open to integrating ketamine with a broader pain management plan.
Experience depression or anxiety that worsens your pain.

How Dr. Ruchir Gupta Can Help

Dr. Ruchir Gupta, board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, brings extensive expertise in advanced pain management. At Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, he provides:

Comprehensive evaluations to see if IV ketamine is right for you.
Safe, monitored infusion therapy.
Personalized treatment plans that combine ketamine with other therapies.
Long-term strategies to restore function, reduce reliance on medications, and improve quality of life.

Summary

IV ketamine is a cutting-edge therapy for chronic pain that has resisted other treatments. While not FDA-approved specifically for pain, it is supported by strong clinical evidence and safely delivered in specialized clinics. Under the care of Dr. Ruchir Gupta and our team at Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute, patients gain access to an innovative, individualized plan designed to reduce pain and reclaim life.

📞 602-767-0007
🌐 www.MountainViewHeadacheAndSpine.com