Ketamine-Assisted Therapy · Physician-Supervised
When the standard options haven't worked.
A physician-supervised clinical program for chronic pain that has not responded to conventional treatment. Delivered under active medical oversight at AthleticsMD(R), alongside physical therapy, behavioral support, and structured medication planning where appropriate.
What this program is
Physician-led care for pain that has outlasted the treatments.
You have taken the medications, completed the physical therapy, and seen the specialists. If chronic pain is still shaping your days, and if opioids are the option you have been trying to avoid, ketamine-assisted therapy may be worth a conversation with our physicians.
AthleticsMD(R) offers ketamine as part of a coordinated pain management program, not as a standalone infusion. The protocol is prescribed and monitored by a licensed physician under written treatment guidelines, with dosing individualized to your condition and history. Where appropriate, it runs alongside physical therapy, behavioral health support, and a plan to reduce reliance on opioid medications over time.
Ketamine works on the nervous system differently than opioids and conventional analgesics. By acting on NMDA receptors involved in central pain sensitization, it can interrupt the pain signaling patterns that persist in some refractory conditions after other treatments stop helping. The clinical evidence is developing and does not apply to every patient, which is why every candidate is evaluated individually.
Conditions we evaluate
Where the evidence is strongest.
Ketamine-assisted therapy is considered for specific refractory chronic pain conditions. Our physicians determine candidacy on a case-by-case basis.
CRPS is among the most studied indications for ketamine in chronic pain, particularly where conventional therapy has failed to control symptoms.
Nerve-related pain from injury, surgery, diabetes, or other causes that has not responded adequately to first-line and second-line treatment.
Widespread pain with central sensitization features, evaluated where standard management has reached its limits.
Refractory pain that coexists with treatment-resistant depression or post-traumatic stress, where the two conditions reinforce one another.
For patients seeking to reduce or avoid long-term opioid use as part of a supervised, structured plan.
Selected chronic pain conditions that have not responded to conventional care, assessed individually by our physicians.
How the program works
A clinical process, start to finish.
01
A physician reviews your history, current medications, and prior treatments, and screens for the conditions that make ketamine safe or unsafe for you. Not everyone is a candidate, and we will tell you directly if you are not.
02
If you are a candidate, your physician builds a dosing and monitoring plan specific to your condition, integrated with physical therapy and behavioral support where it helps.
03
Treatment is delivered under medical supervision with appropriate monitoring throughout each session, following written clinical protocols.
04
We track your response over time and adjust the plan. The goal is meaningful pain reduction and regained function, measured against where you started.
Ketamine is a controlled substance with real contraindications. Our physicians evaluate whether it is appropriate for your specific condition and history, and will recommend against it when it is not the right option. A consultation is a clinical evaluation, not a purchase.
Common questions
What patients ask before they book.
Is ketamine FDA-approved for chronic pain?
Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic. Its use for chronic pain is off-label. This means it may be prescribed by a physician based on clinical judgment and available evidence rather than a specific FDA approval for chronic pain.
Will ketamine cure my pain?
No treatment can guarantee a cure. In patients who respond, ketamine may help reduce pain intensity and improve function. Results vary, and some patients may not experience meaningful improvement.
How is this different from a ketamine infusion clinic?
At AthleticsMD®, ketamine is part of a coordinated pain-management program under physician oversight. Care may also include physical therapy, behavioral support, medication planning, and ongoing follow-up.
Who is not a candidate?
Ketamine therapy may not be appropriate for patients with active psychosis, uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, or some substance-use concerns. A physician will review your health history before recommending treatment.
Does insurance cover it?
Insurance coverage varies by carrier and treatment plan. Some services may require out-of-pocket payment. The care team will explain expected costs before treatment begins.
What does the consultation cost?
A $49 consultation fee secures the appointment and is credited toward the visit when attended. The fee may be forfeited for a no-show without at least 24 hours notice.
Find out if you are a candidate.
Complete the form below to book a consultation with an AthleticsMD(R) physician. Same-week appointments are often available, in person in Columbia and Laurel or by telehealth where permitted. Prefer to call? Reach us at 443-393-6343.