LOCATIONS: NEW YORK CITY | LONG ISLAND
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION NOW: 917-261-7370
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating form of neuropathic pain that can linger for months or even years after a shingles outbreak. Characterized by burning, stabbing, or electric-shock-like sensations—often accompanied by touch sensitivity or numbness—PHN disrupts daily life and significantly impacts physical and emotional well-being. For many, the pain continues long after the shingles rash fades, resisting conventional treatments and reducing quality of life.
What makes PHN especially complex is its origin in nerve damage caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The affected nerves misfire pain signals to the brain, even in the absence of actual tissue injury. Traditional treatments, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical analgesics, may offer partial relief—but they often fall short in restoring lasting comfort.
At NY Ketamine Infusions, we offer a different path forward. Our team specializes in IV ketamine therapy—a scientifically supported treatment that targets the central sensitization and abnormal nerve signaling at the root of chronic pain like PHN. Our goal is not just to mask symptoms, but to promote real neurochemical changes that can reset the body’s pain response and deliver lasting relief.
Postherpetic neuralgia is driven by nerve injury and subsequent changes in how the central nervous system processes pain. In PHN, even gentle stimuli like a breeze or clothing can trigger excruciating discomfort—a phenomenon known as allodynia. This hypersensitivity is due to the brain and spinal cord becoming hyperactive to pain signals.
Ketamine works uniquely to interrupt these dysfunctional pain pathways. As an NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine reduces the excitatory effects of glutamate—an overactive neurotransmitter central to pain amplification. This helps desensitize the nervous system and recalibrate pain processing, which is critical for PHN sufferers whose nerves have become “rewired” for chronic pain.
Unlike standard medications that require daily use and may lose effectiveness over time, ketamine acts rapidly and can induce lasting changes in neuroplasticity. Patients with PHN often experience significant decreases in burning or shooting pain, reduced sensitivity to touch, and improved tolerance for everyday activities following a personalized course of infusions.
Opioids are generally ineffective for nerve pain and come with a high risk of dependency. Ketamine offers a safer, non-habit-forming alternative that works on entirely different pain mechanisms.
Many PHN patients report meaningful improvements within the first few treatments. This quick onset is especially important for individuals who have endured months of unrelenting pain.
Ketamine’s effects can last well beyond the treatment window. Improvements in pain intensity, touch sensitivity, and daily functioning often persist for weeks or months—empowering patients to regain control of their lives.
We tailor each infusion protocol to the individual, considering pain severity, health history, and previous treatments. Dosages and session frequencies are carefully adjusted to optimize results and minimize side effects.
Treatments are administered in calm, private rooms by highly trained clinical staff. Throughout the infusion, your comfort and safety are closely monitored using best practices in ketamine administration and chronic pain care.
If you’re living with the lingering, life-limiting pain of postherpetic neuralgia, ketamine therapy could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for. At NY Ketamine Infusions, we help patients reduce their pain, restore their function, and regain hope—without relying on opioids or ineffective medications.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn whether ketamine treatment is right for you. We proudly serve patients from New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.
Conditions Treated
160 Broadway, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10038
Phone: 917-261-7370
Treatment Hours:
7 days a week: 9AM to 7PM
150 Broadhollow Rd, Suite 103, Melville, NY 11747
Phone: 631-629-4626
Treatment Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9AM to 5PM
Our protocol requires a brief intake conversation with one of our physicians to determine if ketamine is likely to help you. Please fill out the form below and you will be contacted by our Patient Care Team within 24 hours. After submitting, you’ll get the opportunity to provide more personal information via an optional questionnaire.
