CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — For people living with chronic pain and treatment-resistant mood disorders, ketamine infusion therapy represents hope and healing. Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center, recognized as the Best of Southern Utah four years in a row, stands at the forefront of this cutting-edge therapy.
Dr. Eric Evans and Shannon Evans, owners of Desert Sands Medical Clinics, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Desert Sands Ketamine offers a comfortable environment with compassionate staff dedicated to helping every patient achieve the best results possible. As a native of the St. George area, owner Dr. Eric Evans said his desire to give back to the community truly comes from his heart. He is committed to helping patients experience joy in life again after trauma, both emotional and physical.
“There’s a huge need in Southern Utah,” he said. “I just want to help as many people as I can.”
Experience the Desert Sands difference
Patients shouldn’t trust just any provider with their ketamine therapy. Unlike many clinics offering infusions, Desert Sands Ketamine is a physician-driven practice. Evans, a board-certified anesthesiologist, has more than 25 years of experience administering ketamine in both surgical and clinical settings.
Because patients are often taking multiple medications to manage their pain and mood disorders when they come to the clinic, Evans personally meets with every individual to review their medical history and underlying health issues. Infusions are tailored to suit each patient’s needs for maximum success.
“There’s definitely an art to giving ketamine,” he said. “We do it in a way that patients really tolerate well.”
Better results with fewer side effects
At Desert Sands Ketamine, Evans focuses on treating patients suffering from clinical depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and clinical anxiety. Many have already tried the pharmaceutical approach with little to no improvement, and as such, their mood disorder is classified as “treatment-resistant.”
Ketamine has an extremely safe side-effect profile when compared to traditional prescription medications used to treat mood disorders. Evans said Yale University researchers found ketamine to be effective in approximately 70% of patients with treatment-resistant depression, a significantly higher success rate than antidepressants and talk therapy. Some patients experience improvement in mood after just one infusion.
Interior of the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center, St. George News
A safer alternative to opioids
For people living with chronic pain, every day is a battle against an unseen enemy. Debilitating pain and loss of function can adversely affect a person’s overall sense of well-being. Ketamine enables patients to participate in everyday life more comfortably while also regulating the emotional imbalances that often accompany pain disorders.
Evans spent 15 years managing a pain clinic in Southern Utah, where he treated patients with nerve blocks, steroid injections and prescription drugs to help get their pain under control. He said ketamine is a significantly safer alternative to opioids and other habit-forming substances. It’s not addictive and is well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients when administered in therapeutic doses.
Real stories of hope and healing
Desert Sands Ketamine was recently recognized by Best of Southern Utah voters with a silver medal for alternative therapies. The clinic also won gold for alternative therapies in 2021 and silver in the behavioral/mental health treatment category in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Although they serve many people in Washington County, Evans said patients travel from as far away as New York City, Los Angeles and numerous places in between to seek treatment at the clinic due to their exceptional success rates.
One of those patients is Tina, who battled crushing fatigue and treatment-resistant depression for years before finally finding relief with infusion therapy at Desert Sands Ketamine.
“Every person on staff is professional, caring and willing to go the extra mile when needed,” she said. “They are exactly the kind of people you want taking care of you.”
Along with infusion therapy, Desert Sands Ketamine provides support systems to improve all aspects of well-being, including dietary guidance, meditation, massage therapy, relationship counseling and talk therapy. The clinic also evaluates and manages hormone replacement issues to maximize results.
The patient experience always begins with a free consultation to discuss their issues and determine if ketamine is right for them.
“Every person has such a unique story and set of issues that they’re dealing with,” Evans said. “We try to use a complete approach to each patient.”
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center website or call 435-522-5190.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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Resources
Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center | Address: 346 E. 600 South, St. George | Telephone: 435-522-5190 | Email: info@desertsandsketamine.com | Website.
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