Addressing Chronic Neuropathic Pain with Non-Opioid Therapies at Scenic City Neurotherapy
By Charles Miller, CRNA, CMO, Founder/Owner of Scenic City Neurotherapy
Chronic pain encompasses a spectrum of conditions and causes. It can arise from various sources, such as musculoskeletal issues, neuropathic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and even psychological factors like depression and anxiety. Each of these conditions may present with unique symptoms and require individualized approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
Traditional treatments, particularly opioids, have been the go-to solution for years. Still, their risks, including dependency, tolerance, and side effects, have led many patients and healthcare providers to seek safer, more effective alternatives.
At Scenic City Neurotherapy, we specialize in an innovative, non-opioid treatment for chronic pain known as Minimally Stimulated Ketamine Infusion Therapy (MSKIT®). Our approach is not merely about masking pain symptoms but rather about addressing the root causes and altering the way your body and brain react to pain. It is tailored approach that is designed to provide long-term relief and improve the quality of life you can and should have.
This blog explores the limitations of opioid-based treatments, the science behind ketamine infusions, and why this therapy is the better choice for long-term pain relief.
The Problem with Opioids for Chronic Pain
Opioids have long been prescribed for chronic pain, including neuropathic conditions. However, their effectiveness is limited, and the risks often outweigh the benefits.
Why Opioids Fall Short for Chronic Pain
- High Risk of Dependency – The opioid crisis has highlighted the dangers of long-term opioid use, with many patients developing tolerance, requiring higher doses, and facing post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
- Unpleasant Side Effects – Common opioid side effects include constipation, drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and respiratory depression.
- Worsening Rather Than Healing – Opioids do not treat the root cause of pain; they merely suppress symptoms, leading to worsening pain over time, a phenomenon called opioid-induced hyperalgesia.
Even if you have taken your medications as prescribed, they will lead to physical dependence which will produce the same withdrawal as someone who abuses an opioid medication. This is not your fault, yet you are the only one who can change your situation.
Ketamine Infusion Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Pain Management
Scenic City Neurotherapy’s pain-focused protocols are individually tailored to fit each patient with the goal of minimizing inflammation and optimizing the way the brain perceives pain stimulus. This in turn allows the patient’s nervous system to reset, making many chronic pain conditions more manageable and often in some cases providing complete relief without the need for a daily medication.
How Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Pain Work?
Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine has gained recognition for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike opioids, ketamine works by modulating the NMDA receptors in the brain, which play a key role in modulating how the brain perceives pain.
Pain is more than just a physical sensation. It’s also deeply tied to how your brain processes and interprets signals from the body. Over time, the brain can become so accustomed to these pain signals that it no longer verifies whether the source of pain still exists. This can lead to persistent discomfort long after the original cause is gone.
Ketamine infusion therapy for pain helps disrupt the cycle. By reducing pain perception and systemic inflammation, it prompts the brain to re-evaluate the pain’s presence, often leading to lasting relief.
KIT for Pain Is a Process, Not a Pill
At Scenic City Neurotherapy, our pain protocols are not one-size-fits-all solutions or a single drug. Our evidence-based protocol includes a combination of medications:
- Ketamine – works on the brain to recalibrate pain perception
- Lidocaine, Magnesium, Steroidals, and Non-Steroidals – reduce inflammation throughout the body
- Antihistamines – help prevent adverse reactions and further reduce inflammatory triggers
This multimodal approach allows us to use lower doses of each individual medication, minimizing potential side effects while increasing overall effectiveness.
Benefits Over Opioids
- Non-Addictive at Low Doses – When administered in controlled clinical settings on an infrequent basis, ketamine does not carry the same dependency risks as opioids.
- Meaningful Relief – Many patients experience weeks or even months of pain reduction after a series of infusions.
- Improves Mood – Ketamine has widespread effects on the brain, triggering a neuroregenerative process that helps restore and optimize the function of key areas involved in depressive symptoms.
- No Risk of Increasing Pain Sensitivity – Unlike opioids, ketamine does not cause heightened pain receptor activity, helping to relieve pain without worsening the problem.
Who Can Benefit from Ketamine Infusion Therapy?
For recent injury pain, we manage inflammation and short-term pain. You should understand if there is a structural issue in your body, imaging and further medical attention may be necessary. Underlying stimulation of pain must be addressed to be successful.
With chronic cases, we understand pain can persist without a clear cause. We provide a “break” from this pain for patients enduring constant suffering.
Ketamine therapy offers particularly effective pain relief for patients with:
- Neuropathy
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Phantom Limb Pain
- Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
- Pain from Excessive Inflammation
- Chronic Pain Requiring High-Dose Painkillers
In palliative care situations, our treatment options assist in maintaining manageable pain levels and mental clarity.
At Scenic City Neurotherapy, we conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if ketamine infusions are the proper treatment for you, ensuring a personalized plan.
What to Expect
- No-Cost Consultation – We review your medical history, pain symptoms, and previous treatments to tailor the therapy to your needs.
- Evidence Backed Infusion Protocol – Dosage and frequency are adjusted based on the individual.
- Comfortable, Supervised Setting – Infusions are administered in a calm environment with medical monitoring for safety.
- Gradual, Cumulative Improvement – Most patients require a series of infusions for optimal results, with many noticing relief after just a few sessions.
Is This the Only Thing I’ll Need?
Not always, and that’s important to know upfront. If your pain is caused by a clear structural issue like a broken bone, herniated disc, or pinched nerve, that root cause must be addressed first. In those cases, we’ll point you in the right direction for appropriate treatment and support your recovery afterward.
Once the initial cause is resolved, or if you’re dealing with long-term nerve pain without a clear fix, ketamine can be an effective next step. It helps recalibrate the nervous system and ease the chronic pain signals that often remain even after the original injury has healed.
We also recognize that chronic pain often leads to decreased physical activity, which can create a cycle of stiffness, weakness, and more pain. That’s why we may recommend working with a local physical therapist. We have a trusted network of physical therapists who understand our process and collaborate with us to support your recovery and long-term function.
Why Choose Scenic City Neurotherapy?
At Scenic City Neurotherapy, we prioritize science-backed treatments. Our team stays at the forefront of non-opioid pain management innovations, offering treatments that address the root cause of pain rather than just masking symptoms.
Our Approach:
- Education – We empower patients with clear, accessible information so they can make informed decisions about their health and treatment options.
- Expertise – Our clinical team brings years of specialized experience in anesthesia, ensuring every patient receives the highest standard of care.
- Evidence – Our treatments are grounded in the latest research and clinical outcomes, with protocols designed around what has been proven to work.
- Safety – Patient safety is non-negotiable. We follow rigorous protocols, continuous monitoring, and an individualized care model to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Comfort – From the first interaction to follow-up care, we’ve designed an experience that helps patients feel seen, supported, and at ease every step of the way.
Our goal is always to provide meaningful improvement in each patient’s quality of life.
Take the First Step Toward Better Living
If chronic pain has diminished your quality of life, Minimally Stimulated Ketamine Infusion Therapy (MSKIT®) could be the solution you have been searching for. Unlike opioids, it offers long-term relief without the risks of dependency or severe side effects.
Contact Scenic City Neurotherapy today to schedule a no-cost consultation and discover how our advanced, non-opioid treatments can help you reclaim your life from pain.
Call Us: 423.228.0579
Visit Us: https://sceniccityneurotherapy.com/
About Scenic City Neurotherapy
Founded in 2019, Scenic City Neurotherapy is at the forefront of advanced and comprehensive treatments for those facing treatment-resistant conditions. Our mission is to optimize brain function and elevate well-being through cutting-edge therapies. We specialize in two pioneering approaches: Minimally Stimulated Ketamine Infusion Therapy (MSKIT®) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
If you are exploring innovative solutions for mental health, chronic pain, and other neuro-degenerative conditions, Scenic City Neurotherapy offers transformative treatment options. Join us in leading the charge towards groundbreaking brain optimization treatments and empowering individuals to reclaim their lives.
Contact Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Charles Miller today to learn more about our proven protocols for Minimally Stimulated Ketamine Infusion Therapy (MSKIT®). Call 423-228-0579 or visit www.ScenicCityNeuro.com.
