The present invention provides methods for reducing pain in a subject in need of such pain reduction by delivering, e.g., intrathecally or epidurally, a volatile anesthetic such as a halogenated ether compound in an amount effective to reduce pain. Chronic or acute pain may be treated, or the anesthetic may be delivered to the subject to anesthetize the subject prior to a surgery. In certain embodiments, isoflurane, halothane, enflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, methoxyflurane, xenon, and mixtures thereof may be used. Dosing regimens including a one-time administration, continuous and/or periodic administration are contemplated.
