Chronic pain affects millions of Americans every year. And it doesn’t just cause physical pain: the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies estimates that the economy loses as much as $600 billion a year in lost productivity and health care costs in addressing these conditions. At Right Path Pain and Spine Center in Davenport, FL, we know just how difficult pain is, and we’re committed to interventions like IV therapy to provide real relief without all the side effects.
IV Therapy for Chronic Pain
While there are opiate intravenous transfusions available, we believe these are not the best choice for most people in pain. Strong drugs like these are not good long-term solutions, and non-opiate and vitamin intravenous infusions have a good track record in relieving the pain associated with:
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Spinal cord injuries
- Autoimmune disorders
- Joint and ligament injuries
- Chronic inflammation
These and other conditions are difficult to manage, and those who endure them have a higher likelihood of becoming dependent on addictive painkillers to function. An IV therapy intervention offers treatment that can give you back the quality of life you’ve been missing.
What Kinds of Treatments Are Available?
IV treatment therapy comes in many forms, and the right thing for one person may not be the right choice for another. The first step is always to come talk to us at our office in Davenport. Once we understand your condition, medical history, unique history of treatment, and your goals, we can help you devise a treatment plan that works for you. Here are just a few of the types of IV therapy that are frequently used to treat chronic pain:
Ketamine
This N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist is non-addictive at therapeutic doses and works to stop sustained neuronal depolarization and excitatory transmission of the pain pathways in the spinal cord.
Clonidine
This adrenergic receptor agonist stops excessive norepinephrine release in the central nervous system.
Magnesium
This essential mineral is an NMDA receptor antagonist much like ketamine and stabilizes nerve excitement to decrease pain.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine blocks certain channels in neural cells that allow pain signals to transmit.
B Vitamins
All the B vitamins are essential for the health of our nerves, and for those suffering from any kind of nerve-related pain, B vitamin infusions can help with pain, depression, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is very important for protecting cells, combating stress, and boosting the immune system. Our bodies store a small amount of vitamin C to release when our stress hormone, cortisol, is raging. That vitamin C protects us from the damaging effects of this hormone, which can exacerbate pain, but we quickly run through our stores when exposed to chronic stress.
There are other infusions that can also help, which is why it’s important to talk to us about all your options and the pain or other symptoms you’re experiencing.
Why IV?
Why choose intravenous transmission rather than simply handing patients a vitamin C supplement? IV therapies is uniquely effective because of the way it bypasses the digestive system to deliver nutrition or medication directly to the bloodstream.
The Problem With the Digestive System
Whenever you eat food or take a supplement or pill, you cannot benefit from the nutrition or medication until after your digestive system has processed everything. Our digestive systems are complicated and affected by many things, from the things we eat to the medications we take. In addition, some nutrients and medications absorb best in the presence of fat while others don’t need any. This is one reason some pills must be taken on an empty stomach and others should only be taken with food.
There are other complicating factors, too. A disorder of the digestive system can interfere with absorption. This is especially an issue for many with fibromyalgia, which often comes with issues like IBS than can compromise absorption efficiency.
There is no guarantee that a pill or even food source of a vitamin will properly absorb. But with an IV infusion, everything goes straight to the bloodstream and gets to work immediately making a difference.
What Is IV Therapy Like?
This is a simple treatment that takes place on an outpatient basis in our comfortable Davenport clinic. It’s not painful, and you’ll be comfortable the entire time. An IV is started into a vein, and a bag containing the needed substance, plus saline, slowly drips into the bloodstream. Most people find the experience very relaxing.
Who Is This Right for?
The best way to find out if this treatment is a good choice for you is to set up a consultation with Dr. Tom Porter, MD. Dr. Porter is a board-certified, experienced interventional pain physician with a lifelong dedication to health and wellness.
This could be a good choice for your if you suffer from pain in your back or neck that isn’t responding to treatment, if you suffer from fibromyalgia, or if you have nerve-related pain, diabetic neuropathy, CRPS, or any other type of chronic pain. Our goal is to restore your quality of life.
Come Talk to Us
We offer real solutions without resorting to addictive medications, and we take a holistic approach to your health designed to empower you to achieve optimal wellness. Contact Right Path Pain and Spine Center in Davenport, FL today and let us get started helping you.
