phantom limb pain (PLP) Treatment
Leading-Edge Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) Treatment
There is hope.
Phantom Limb Pain (PLP) can occur in up to 80% of individuals with an amputation of the limb. The missing limb often feels shorter and like it is stuck in a distorted or clenched position.
The pain can occasionally worsen with stress, anxiety, and weather changes. Phantom pains occur when pain nerves that would normally innervate the missing limb are stuck in an ON state. The pain is often described as burning or strange and can be extremely agonizing.
We combine two modalities backed by scientific evidence for the treatment of PLP. IV Ketamine infusion therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Phantom Limb Pain, as well as common comorbid mood conditions such as depression and PTSD. In addition, mirror therapy, which was pioneered by Dr. Ramachandran, has been proven successful in managing phantom pain as a neurorehabilitation technique designed to re-modulate cortical mechanisms of pain.
Ketamine is not the only treatment offered!
During your initial intake, we perform a comprehensive personal review focusing on the biopsychosocial model of medicine.
We strive to find the root cause of your problems and help you with changes in mindset, behavior, and medications/supplements that will allow you to live the life you want.
Other IV Therapy modalities, such as NAD, can be used in conjunction or in lieu of ketamine depending on your specific situation
There is Hope
Why Relevare?
At Relevare we are at the forefront of medicine by combining custom ketamine infusions with mirror therapy, in order to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment at rewiring the brain to a more desirable baseline state.
We promise to always offer personalized, high-quality care.
How Does Ketamine Help with PLP?
Neuropathic pain conditions such as PLP are a result of nerve firing incorrectly as a result of nerve injury and/or chronic pain. The brain becomes confused by the loss of the limb and undergoes a process called Central Sensitization. Central Sensitization is when your nociceptive neurons (pain cells) change their default signaling to ON or decrease the threshold needed to turn that pain signal on. The goal of treatment is to rewire that signal so that the brain understands it does not have to interpret the lack of limb as pain.
Ketamine prevents Central Sensitization since the drug acts as an antagonist (a blocking agent) at the NMDA receptor. Central Sensitization is primarily mediated by the NMDA receptor. This is why ketamine works when other treatments have failed. Ketamine works by a very different mechanism than opiates and other pain medications. By blocking the NMDA receptor ketamine literally rewires the brain (this has been shown through fMRI studies) and starts to repair the signaling so that those nociceptive neurons (pain cells) change their default signaling back to OFF. By coupling these treatments with mirror therapy we give the fresh neurons “instructions” for how they should be firing and communicating with each other.
To learn more about the science behind the effectiveness of ketamine therapy please visit our science & education page. We also want to invite you to schedule your free 15min phone consultation with Dr. Mallek today to see if ketamine infusion therapy is right for you.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
During Your Ketamine Infusion
Ketamine infusions for pain require doses much higher than those for mental illness, about two to six times higher and infusions tend to last longer, typically ranging from two to four hours.
You will be continuously monitored in a private room throughout your treatment to ensure you remain safe and comfortable throughout your treatment session. The most common side effects, nausea, and dissociation (a feeling of being out of body) are typically easily treated with adjuvant medications.
The longer the infusions the longer the recovery, but not by much. Once the infusion finishes it will generally take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes for the patient to start feeling like the psychoactive effects of the drug are gone. Mirror therapy can be done during or after the infusion and optimal mirror, therapy timing will be patient-specific. The beneficial effects of the infusion should be evident as soon as the infusion is finished.
During your intake, we will explain more about the process, set expectations, and answer all of your questions.
We Can Help
If other treatments failed to provide the relief you need then there is a good chance we can help.
Ketamine has been shown to improve the symptoms of phantom limb. Contact us today and schedule your 15 min free phone consultation today.
A Comfortable & Welcoming Environment
We strive to ensure that all of our patients feel welcome and as comfortable as possible during their visit. We provide private rooms for each patient during all our ketamine intravenous treatments. Our patients always remain in a safe atmosphere assisted by our professional medical staff members that provide one-on-one care at all times.
At Relevare, we are dedicated to making you feel heard, taken care of, and relaxed.
Ready To Start Your New Journey In Life?
Ready to get started? Call us today for your free phone consultation.