Chronic pain can shape nearly every part of daily life: work, sleep, relationships, movement, and the ability to feel present in the moments that matter. In 2023, nearly one in four U.S. adults reported chronic pain, and many said pain frequently limited life or work activities.
For patients in Twin Falls and across the Magic Valley, persistent pain may continue even after they have tried medications, procedures, physical therapy, or other conventional approaches. At H3O Wellness, we approach chronic pain with respect for its physical reality and its complexity. The body matters, but the brain and spinal cord can also play an important role in how pain is processed and sustained.
Chronic Pain Is More Than a Tissue Problem
Acute pain is often protective. It alerts the body to injury or illness and usually improves as healing occurs. Persistent pain can be more complicated.
In some chronic pain conditions, the nervous system becomes more responsive to pain signals over time. This process, known as central sensitization, can increase pain sensitivity and make ordinary sensations feel more painful than expected. It may be relevant in conditions such as fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), some forms of neuropathic pain, chronic migraine, and certain long-standing back-pain presentations.
Central sensitization is not the explanation for every chronic pain experience, and it does not replace a careful medical evaluation. It is one possible contributor to persistent pain, alongside structural, inflammatory, neurological, and other factors.
Importantly, this does not mean pain is “all in your head.” Pain is real. Even when imaging does not provide a complete explanation, the nervous system can still be involved in a meaningful and treatable way.
When the Nervous System Becomes More Sensitive
The brain and spinal cord are constantly interpreting signals from throughout the body. With persistent pain, those systems can sometimes become more reactive, amplifying signals that might otherwise be less intense or less disruptive.
This may help explain why some patients continue to experience pain after an injury has healed, why symptoms can spread beyond the original area of discomfort, or why stress, poor sleep, and emotional strain can make pain harder to manage.
Treatments directed at the original source of pain can still be important. But when pain has become persistent or treatment-resistant, it may also be helpful to consider whether central nervous system processes are contributing to the overall picture. Our post on IV Ketamine for Chronic Pain in Twin Falls explores this approach in further detail.
Where IV Ketamine May Fit Into Chronic Pain Care
Ketamine affects the NMDA receptor system, which is involved in pain signaling and central sensitization. For some patients with persistent pain, particularly when prior treatments have provided limited relief, IV ketamine may be discussed as an off-label option.
Research on IV ketamine for chronic pain is still evolving, and the strength of evidence varies by condition, dose, treatment setting, and individual health history. It is not a standard solution for every pain condition, and it may not be appropriate for every patient.
At H3O Wellness, we may discuss ketamine treatment options as part of an individualized conversation about your symptoms, treatment history, current medications, and overall health. A recommendation for IV ketamine should follow a careful review of potential benefits, risks, limitations, and alternatives.
The goal is not to promise a cure or replace your existing care team. It is to consider whether a different mechanism of treatment may be worth exploring when pain continues to interfere with your quality of life.
Chronic Pain and Mental Health Deserve Equal Attention
Chronic pain and mental health symptoms often overlap. Depression and anxiety are common among people living with long-term pain, and pain itself can make sleep, concentration, work, and relationships more difficult.
Recognizing this connection does not reduce pain to a mental health issue. It simply acknowledges that physical symptoms and emotional well-being can affect one another.
For patients who are also managing depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, or other mental health concerns, our psychiatric services may be part of a broader care plan. We do not assume that treating depression will resolve pain, or that a pain-focused treatment will resolve mental health symptoms. Both deserve thoughtful, individualized attention.
H3O also offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for certain mental health concerns after clinical evaluation. This service is not presented as a treatment for chronic pain itself, but it may be relevant for patients who are navigating separate mental health needs alongside chronic pain.
You Deserve to Be Taken Seriously
Many people with chronic pain have felt dismissed when testing is inconclusive, symptoms are difficult to explain, or prior treatment has not provided enough relief. Those experiences can be discouraging and isolating.
At H3O Wellness, we believe persistent pain deserves careful attention. The absence of one clear structural explanation does not make your symptoms less real. A brain-based perspective should complement, not replace, appropriate medical evaluation and ongoing care for the physical contributors to pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is central sensitization?
Central sensitization is a pain-amplification process involving the brain and spinal cord. It can make the nervous system more responsive to pain signals and may contribute to certain chronic pain conditions. It is not present in every case of chronic pain, so an individualized assessment is important.
How might IV ketamine help with chronic pain?
Ketamine affects NMDA receptor activity, which is involved in pain signaling and central sensitization. IV ketamine has been studied as an off-label option for certain persistent pain conditions, but results vary and evidence differs by diagnosis. A consultation can help determine whether it is reasonable to discuss in your situation.
Is IV ketamine appropriate for every type of chronic pain?
No. Chronic pain has many possible causes, and IV ketamine is not appropriate for everyone. Your health history, diagnosis, prior treatments, medications, and safety considerations all matter when evaluating options.
Can H3O help if I have chronic pain and depression or anxiety?
Yes. Chronic pain and mental health symptoms often occur together. We can consider your full clinical picture and discuss whether mental health support should be part of your care plan alongside treatment for pain.
What should I bring to an initial consultation?
It can be helpful to have information about your diagnosis, current medications, prior treatments, imaging, and relevant medical records. Our team can also explain what information may be useful when you contact us to schedule a consultation.
Is IV ketamine for chronic pain covered by insurance?
Coverage can vary by plan and service. Because chronic-pain use is off-label, you should not assume coverage. Review our insurance information and speak with your insurer and our team about your specific situation.
Key Takeaways
- Chronic pain can involve complex interactions among the body, spinal cord, and brain.
- Central sensitization can contribute to pain amplification in some chronic pain conditions, but it does not explain every patient’s experience.
- IV ketamine may be considered as an off-label option for certain persistent pain presentations when clinically appropriate.
- Chronic pain, depression, and anxiety often overlap, and each concern deserves careful attention.
- Treatment outcomes vary by person, and no treatment can be guaranteed to provide lasting relief.
A Different Conversation About Persistent Pain
When chronic pain has not responded to conventional treatment, it can be worth asking whether the nervous system may be contributing to the experience. That does not make the pain less physical or less valid. It recognizes that persistent pain may require a broader, more individualized approach.
At H3O Wellness, we offer thoughtful consultation for patients who want to explore whether IV ketamine or other supportive services may fit into their care. A careful conversation is the first step toward understanding what options may be appropriate for you.
About H3O Wellness
H3O Wellness is an interventional psychiatry and mental wellness practice with offices in Twin Falls and Burley, Idaho. Our team includes Dr. Nicole Bartlett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, and other clinical professionals who provide patient-centered care grounded in respect, dignity, and individualized planning.
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this blog is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary, and no treatment outcome can be guaranteed. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Treatments described, including IV ketamine, may not be appropriate for every patient. Always discuss your medical history, symptoms, and treatment options with a licensed provider before making healthcare decisions.
Works Cited
Aaron, R. V., Ravyts, S. G., Carnahan, N. D., Bhattiprolu, K., Harte, N., McCaulley, C. C., Vitalicia, L., Rogers, A. B., Wegener, S. T., & Dudeney, J. (2025). Prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 8(3), e250268.
Cohen, S. P., Bhatia, A., Buvanendran, A., Schwenk, E. S., Wasan, A. D., Hurley, R. W., Viscusi, E. R., Narouze, S., Davis, F. N., Ritchie, E. C., Lubenow, T. R., & Hooten, W. M. (2018). Consensus guidelines on the use of intravenous ketamine infusions for chronic pain from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 43(5), 521–546.
Lucas, J. W., & Sohi, I. (2024, November). Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in U.S. adults: 2023. NCHS Data Brief, 518.
Woolf, C. J. (2011). Central sensitization: Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain, 152(3 Suppl.), S2–S15.