7 Things Every Long Beach Patient Should Know Before Trying Ketamine for Pain

Have you ever felt like you’ve tried everything for your chronic pain, but nothing really gives you lasting relief? You’re not alone. We’ve met many people from Long Beach who felt exactly the same way. They followed every doctor’s recommendation, stuck to their physical therapy schedules, experimented with diet changes, and still… the pain persisted.

That’s why many are now turning to Ketamine therapy as a fresh, hopeful option. And if you’re one of the many people thinking about it, we want to help you feel fully informed and confident before you take the next step. Let’s walk through the 7 key things you should know before trying Ketamine for pain.

1. It’s Not Just for Depression Anymore

While Ketamine was first explored for mental health support, research has shown that it can also play a role in managing chronic pain, especially nerve-related pain that hasn’t responded well to standard treatments.

We’ve seen it help patients with conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, migraines, and even long-term back pain. If other approaches haven’t worked for you, this could be a new door opening.

2. It Works Differently Than Traditional Pain Medications

Unlike typical pain relievers, Ketamine doesn’t just block pain at the surface. It acts on a different system in your brain called the NMDA receptor. This allows it to “interrupt” pain signals at the root, potentially giving you relief even when your body has become resistant to other treatments.

For some people, this means being able to enjoy daily activities again like walking the dog, sitting comfortably at work, or sleeping through the night. These moments matter, and that’s why we’re so passionate about this work.

3. You Don’t Need to Be Hospitalized to Access It

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from patients in Long Beach is that Ketamine treatment requires a hospital stay or something invasive. The truth is, many people receive Ketamine safely in outpatient settings designed to be comfortable, calming, and private.

We’ve created an environment where you can feel safe and supported while your body and mind respond to treatment. Every person’s journey is different, but no one walks it alone here.

4. Not Everyone Is a Perfect Fit, And That’s Okay

It’s important to understand that Ketamine isn’t right for everyone. That’s why we spend time getting to know your health history, current medications, and goals before recommending it.

Some people may benefit more from different types of care. And if that’s the case, we’ll always be honest with you. Our mission is to help you find what truly works, not to push something that won’t serve you.

5. Results May Happen Quickly, But They’re Not Instant

Many of our patients notice positive shifts in just a few sessions. For some, it’s less pain. For others, it’s better mobility, less fatigue, or just being able to enjoy life more fully. But Ketamine isn’t a “miracle fix.”

It’s part of a process. We pair it with ongoing support and strategies to help you continue feeling better long after the session ends. You’ll always know what to expect, and we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.

6. Your Experience Is Customized to You

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter care. Before we start any treatment, we take time to understand your symptoms, history, concerns, and lifestyle. Then we build a plan that fits you.

Some patients need more frequent sessions, while others respond best with gradual support over time. We adjust as we go based on how your body responds, because this is about what works for you, not anyone else.

7. You Deserve to Ask Questions (And Get Real Answers)

Choosing a new kind of treatment can feel overwhelming. That’s why we make space for questions, lots of them. We want you to feel clear, supported, and respected throughout the entire experience.

Whether you’re wondering how Ketamine feels, what the safety protocols are, or how it fits into your current health plan, we’re here for all of it. There are no silly questions when it comes to your health.

Ready to Explore a New Option?

If you’ve been struggling with pain and haven’t found the relief you deserve, it might be time to explore something different. We’re here to talk about your goals, your story, and whether Ketamine might be the right fit for you.

Let’s figure it out together, at your pace, with no pressure.

At Renew Ketamine Infusion, we’re honored to support patients in Long Beach and beyond who are searching for real relief and a better quality of life. If you’re ready to start a new chapter, we’re here to help you begin.

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OCD

Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD) is unfortunately resistant to many forms of medical treatment including both medication and therapy.

Ketamine has been shown to be an effective, fast acting, safe option for patients with OCD. Over the course of the Ketamine infusions (2-4 weeks) neuroplasticity can lead to a change or abatement in the intrusive, repetitive thoughts and behaviors that typify OCD.

When combined with our unique post infusion integration process, patients with severe OCD can see profound relief of their symptoms.

Start here for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

Chronic Pain

“There is extensive research currently being done on this topic. I can say from personal experience as a practicing Board Certified Pain Medicine Physician, I have had patients with chronic pain, including fibromyalgia, who have had significant relief of their symptoms with Ketamine assisted therapy. With that said, Ketamine assisted therapy will definitely not work for everyone with chronic pain, and each patient will require a thorough evaluation to ensure they are an adequate candidate for a trial of Ketamine assisted therapy for relief of their chronic pain” -Dr. Justin Yanuck.

The current evidence of Ketamine assisted therapy for chronic pain is fairly mixed. The majority of studies only looked at ketamine infusion without any assisted psychotherapy.

Ketamine has the ability to lead to relief on its own (and the mechanisms for this have been well studied). We feel quite strongly that the real potential for Ketamine to provide relief, especially for chronic pain patients, is when combined with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy allows the individual to process their experience and build off this experience to lead to new psychological frameworks for processing both internal and external stimuli.

Pain is complex, and Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is not one-size-fits-all. Our treatment plan gives patients with treatment-resistant chronic pain and even opiate dependance a chance to try a different and effective treatment. Start here (button) for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

Start here for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major public health concern, affecting up to 7% of Americans.

As many as half of all Americans with PTSD get inadequate relief from traditional treatments which include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Ketamine combined with psychotherapy has been shown to be very effective at reducing the symptoms of PTSD. These effects last well beyond its near immediate relief.

Many mechanistic actions for how Ketamine works in PTSD have been proposed.

Ketamine allows people to reacquaint themselves with their past inciting trauma from an emotionally neutral perspective. Ketamine will not make you forget about the trauma. It can allow you to acknowledge its occurrence in a neutral way in order to not be continually re-traumatized by thinking about it.

Depending on the patient, outcomes can be noticed almost immediately with a sense of lightness and joy. Ketamine followed by psychotherapy has been shown to lead to significant relief of the burdens of PTSD.

Start here for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

Anxiety

Traditional treatments for anxiety will often either work poorly, have addictive properties, or severe side effects including brain fog and drowsiness. Furthermore, these treatments tend to have reduced efficacy over time, and lead to only transient relief of symptoms.

Ketamine, when combined with our novel integrative psychotherapy, can lead to significant relief of anxiety.

During the ketamine infusion and integration process, patients will often get a better understanding of their anxiety, and are able to reframe many of the triggers that often provoke their anxiety.

Ketamine has properties that allow for rewiring of the brain (new synapse formation and repair of existing synapses). Ketamine allows people to effect changes into their own lives. It shows people that they have the power to heal from within and take control of their relationship with anxiety.

Start here for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

Depression

Ketamine has been shown to be extremely effective and safe for patients with depression and treatment resistant depression (those who fail to get relief from two or more antidepressants).

Ketamine is highly effective at rapidly (within 2-8 hours) reducing depressive symptoms. Traditional antidepressants often take weeks to months to work.

Many traditional antidepressants have side effects including reduced libido, weight gain, GI upset, mood disturbances, and unfortunately require daily use for months to years.

Many antidepressants, even if they do work, require you to be on them for years, if not for the rest of your life.

Ketamine treatment has been shown in most patients to lead to resolution of symptoms without the need for any further medications.

Ketamine is not a medication meant to be taken for the rest of your life. The goal is to provide sustained relief after the completion of a set treatment plan. This is accomplished by combining the actions of Ketamine in the brain with psychotherapy. Additional enhancement sessions available as needed.

Unfortunately, there is a significant subset of patients that do not get significant relief from traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. Ketamine acts as a catalyst to stimulate a patient’s innate capacity for psychological healing. This allows patients to overcome past experiences and learned behavior to truly heal. Ketamine, combined with therapists who are specifically trained to work with psychedelic therapies, can lead to profound breakthroughs and deep psychological healing.

Start here for a free physician consultation to see if Ketamine assisted psychotherapy can help renew you.

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