Chronic pain conditions like complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy are among the most undertreated diagnoses in American medicine — not because effective options do not exist, but because most patients cycle through pain management plans that address symptoms without touching the underlying neurological sensitization driving their suffering. Across Eastern Washington, many people living with these conditions have spent years managing rather than recovering, often without knowing that IV ketamine offers a fundamentally different mechanism of action. At Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic, we specialize in ketamine therapy for chronic pain, and we have seen firsthand how this approach can shift the trajectory for patients who thought they had run out of options.
Why CRPS, Fibromyalgia, and Neuropathy Don’t Respond to Standard Pain Treatment
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, and peripheral neuropathy share a common feature that standard opioid and anti-inflammatory medications do not adequately address: central sensitization. This is a state in which the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord — becomes dysregulated in how it processes pain signals, amplifying input from the body in ways that are disproportionate to any ongoing tissue damage. The result is pain that persists long after an injury has healed, spreads to regions beyond its original site, or emerges without a clear injury trigger at all. For patients in this category, standard opioid therapy often delivers diminishing returns over time, while carrying significant risks of dependence and side effects.
How IV Ketamine Targets the Neurology of Chronic Pain
IV ketamine’s mechanism is particularly relevant here. As an NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine interrupts the glutamate signaling pathways involved in central sensitization. Research in pain neuroscience suggests that sustained NMDA receptor activation plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain states — meaning that blocking this pathway, at the right doses administered in a controlled infusion setting, may help “reset” the sensitized pain-processing system. This is not a simple analgesic effect; it is an intervention aimed at the neurological architecture of chronic pain itself. IV ketamine for chronic pain is used off-label, and we discuss that context fully with every patient before proceeding with care.
Chronic Pain Treatment at Our Kennewick Clinic
At our clinic in Kennewick, IV ketamine infusions are administered by a team that includes Tyler Thornock, ARNP, CRNA, and Ben Clark, CRNA — both certified registered nurse anesthetists — alongside Michelle Perez, NP, and Angela Shaw, NP. The CRNA training our clinical leads bring to this work is genuinely relevant to chronic pain care: anesthesia providers work routinely with ketamine in surgical contexts and carry a depth of pharmacological and monitoring expertise that shapes how infusions are structured, dosed, and managed. Before any infusion proceeds, we conduct a comprehensive pre-treatment health sync covering your medical history, current medications, pain history, and prior treatment responses. This process informs the dosing decisions and protocol we develop specifically for your case. You can learn more about our providers on our Our Team page.
We serve Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and the broader Tri-Cities region, and we are aware that chronic pain patients in Eastern Washington have faced meaningful access barriers. Pain management specialists and advanced interventional options are concentrated in larger metro areas, and many of our patients have traveled hours to access care that we now offer locally. For CRPS patients in particular — a condition recognized as one of the most painful chronic diagnoses — having access to a CRNA-administered ketamine program in their own community is a significant change.
One barrier we frequently address with chronic pain patients is the question of whether their insurance covers IV ketamine infusions for pain. Our clinic accepts Asuris, Providence, Cigna, Premera, and other major insurers, and coverage eligibility for ketamine in pain contexts varies by plan and diagnosis. We walk through those questions transparently during consultation, and we never leave patients guessing about costs. We understand that people who have been managing chronic pain for months or years are often managing the financial burden that comes with it — repeated specialist visits, prescription costs, and reduced earning capacity — and we try to be a resource on the cost question as much as the clinical one. Results vary by individual, and we encourage patients to discuss with your provider whether IV ketamine is appropriate for their specific pain diagnosis and treatment history.
A second barrier is skepticism — or more precisely, a kind of protective pessimism that many chronic pain patients have developed after years of treatments that overpromised and underdelivered. We respect that skepticism. We do not promise cures, and we do not suggest that ketamine works the same way for every patient. What we do offer is a rigorous clinical evaluation, a personalized protocol informed by your specific history, and a team that monitors you continuously throughout every infusion. The clinical literature on ketamine for CRPS is particularly compelling — several peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated meaningful and sometimes sustained pain reduction in this population — while evidence for fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain continues to develop. We share that research context openly so patients can make genuinely informed decisions. For a broader look at how this treatment has evolved, our overview of ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain covers key considerations in depth.
A typical pain protocol involves a series of infusions administered over several days, with the specific number and duration determined by your diagnosis and clinical presentation. CRPS protocols often involve higher-dose or longer infusions than mental health protocols, reflecting the neurological demands of that condition specifically. Some patients experience meaningful relief during or shortly after their infusion series; others respond more gradually. Maintenance infusions may be appropriate for patients who respond well but find that benefits diminish over time — a pattern that is common and that we plan for proactively rather than reactively.
For Eastern Washington residents living with CRPS, fibromyalgia, or neuropathy, IV ketamine therapy administered by a certified registered nurse anesthetist represents a meaningful option in communities where specialized pain care has historically been hard to access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IV ketamine actually help chronic pain conditions like CRPS?
Research on IV ketamine for complex regional pain syndrome has shown promising results in peer-reviewed studies, with some patients experiencing significant and sustained pain reduction. Evidence for fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain is also emerging. Results vary by individual, and clinical eligibility is determined through a comprehensive evaluation before treatment begins.
How is ketamine different from opioids for chronic pain?
Ketamine works through NMDA receptor antagonism, targeting the central sensitization mechanisms that drive many chronic pain conditions. This is distinct from opioid mechanisms, which act primarily on mu-opioid receptors to suppress pain signal transmission. Ketamine does not carry the same dependence profile as long-term opioid therapy, though it is still a controlled substance that requires careful clinical oversight.
Is IV ketamine for pain covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and diagnosis. Our clinic accepts Asuris, Providence, Cigna, Premera, and other major insurers. We recommend discussing your coverage details directly with our team, as eligibility varies and we can help clarify what applies in your situation.
What chronic pain conditions does Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic treat?
We treat CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, and other chronic pain diagnoses. All patients undergo a pre-treatment health sync to confirm that IV ketamine is an appropriate option for their specific condition.
How many infusions are needed for chronic pain relief?
Pain protocols typically involve a series of infusions over several consecutive days, with the exact number and dosing determined by your diagnosis and clinical history. CRPS protocols often differ from mental health protocols in terms of duration and dose. We individualize every plan based on your pre-treatment evaluation.
Key Takeaways
- CRPS, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy involve central sensitization — a neurological state that standard analgesics do not adequately address.
- IV ketamine blocks NMDA receptors involved in glutamate signaling, targeting the neurological mechanisms underlying central sensitization.
- All infusions at Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic are administered by a clinical team that includes Tyler Thornock, ARNP, CRNA, Ben Clark, CRNA, Michelle Perez, NP, and Angela Shaw, NP, with continuous monitoring and individualized protocols.
- Results vary by individual, and clinical eligibility is assessed through a thorough pre-treatment health sync before any infusion is scheduled.
- Eastern Washington residents now have local access to CRNA-administered ketamine therapy for chronic pain without traveling to major metro areas.
Conclusion
Chronic pain that has not responded to conventional treatment is not the end of the road — it may simply mean that the treatment tried so far has not targeted the right mechanism. IV ketamine, delivered by a team with CRNA-level training and administered right here in Kennewick, offers a neurologically focused approach to conditions like CRPS, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy that has meaningful clinical research behind it. If you are living with chronic pain in the Tri-Cities area and want to understand whether IV ketamine therapy could be part of your care plan, we encourage you to contact Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic to schedule a consultation with our care team.
About Our Providers
Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic is led by Tyler Thornock, ARNP, CRNA, and Ben Clark, CRNA — certified registered nurse anesthetists who bring extensive backgrounds in anesthesia, IV pharmacology, and patient safety to every infusion they administer. Michelle Perez, NP, and Angela Shaw, NP, round out the clinical team, contributing to the individualized, patient-centered care that defines every visit at our Kennewick clinic. Together, our providers conduct thorough pre-treatment health syncs — reviewing medical history, current medications, and prior treatment responses — before proceeding with any care. The clinic specializes in ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain conditions including CRPS, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy, with individualized protocols and insurance coverage through Asuris, Providence, Cigna, Premera, and others.
References
American Chronic Pain Association — https://www.theacpa.org/
National Institutes of Health / PubMed — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24979300/
Johns Hopkins Medicine — https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke — https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/complex-regional-pain-syndrome
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is provided by Tri-Cities Infusion and Wellness Clinic for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. IV ketamine is used off-label for chronic pain indications. Results vary by individual, and not all patients will experience pain relief from ketamine therapy. Please discuss with your provider whether IV ketamine is appropriate for your specific diagnosis, current medications, and overall health. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your pain management care.
