Stellate Ganglion Block PTSD Treatment

Living with PTSD can be hard. Those flashbacks, nightmares, and constant feelings of vulnerability can make life difficult for you. There are good treatment options, such as therapy and medication, but Klarity Clinic offers you Stellate Ganglion Block treatment for PTSD. Although in practice for years, recently, it has gained popularity, and researchers support its use to relieve PTSD symptoms and calm you down by resetting your body's fight or flight response.

Our team in the Inland Empire and Northern Orange County, CA, includes expert anesthesiologists who have experience with Stellate Ganglion Block as a treatment for PTSD. Explore our website or contact us to know how SGB can be beneficial for you.

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Understanding PTSD 

Each year, 5% of adults in the U.S. suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental illness that can occur after experiencing a traumatic event such as an accident, assault, abuse, combat, or war. It’s normal to feel fear during and after a traumatic event, but PTSD is more than just fear. Even when a person is safe, they can feel anxious or afraid.

PTSD can severely disrupt everyday life. People may change their routines to avoid stimuli, have trouble falling asleep, and focus on tasks. Relationships can suffer from increased resentment, anger, or withdrawal from loved ones. PTSD often co-occurs with other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, making it more difficult to manage everyday activities.

 
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Symptoms of PTSD

PTSD symptoms normally appear within three months of the stressful experience; however, they can also occur later in life. To be classified as PTSD, these symptoms must endure longer than a month and interfere with daily activities such as work or relationships.

The symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Flashbacks (reliving the event)

  • Physical reactions like a racing heart

  • Avoiding places or things that remind them of the trauma

  • Being easily startled

  • Feeling tense or on edge

  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

  • Trouble remembering parts of the event

  • Negative thoughts about oneself or the world

  • Feelings of guilt or blame

  • Loss of interest in activities

Traditional Treatment Options for PTSD

Treatment for PTSD often consists of a combination of therapies and, in some cases, medications. Common treatments include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Improves unfavorable thought patterns.

Exposure therapy safely exposes patients to trauma-related memories and circumstances.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): It is a technique that uses guided eye movements to process traumatic memories.

Medication: Antidepressants and other drugs can help relieve symptoms.

However, researchers in the past few years have successfully studied the effects of Stellate Ganglion Block in the treatment of PTSD, and it has been the talk of the town since then.

 

What is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a treatment that involves local anesthesia of the Stellate Ganglion, a group of nerves in the neck. These nerves help control involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. While SGB has long been used to reduce pain, it is now also used to treat symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression by calming overactive sympathetic systems and helping to restore the "fight-or-flight" mechanism.

Research on the effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for PTSD has shown promising results. A 2017 clinical trial by the US Department of Veterans Affairs showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, particularly for severe cases. A 2023 review by Jama Psychiatry also highlighted positive outcomes. A 2014 RTI randomized controlled trial confirmed SGB's effectiveness in alleviating PTSD symptoms and suggested it might help with generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder.

SGB works by calming the amygdala, the part of the brain involved in fear and emotional responses. It reduces the levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that's part of the body's "fight or flight" response, which is overactive in people with PTSD. By lowering norepinephrine levels, SGB reduces feelings of hyper-arousal and stress and provides a calming effect.

Benefits of Stellate Ganglion Block for PTSD 

1.Reduction in PTSD symptoms

According to research, SGB can help with fundamental PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, and flashbacks. It promotes emotional balance by moderating the nervous system's "fight-or-flight" response.

2.Improved quality of life

When PTSD symptoms are adequately treated, daily tasks become more manageable, and overall well-being improves. SGB, when combined with other traditional therapies, could be very effective for improving your quality of life.

3.Quick and minimally invasive procedure

SGB is a quicker and more comfortable procedure than traditional procedures. It is less invasive and promotes quick healing and less discomfort.

4.Potential long-term effectiveness

While research is ongoing, several studies support that SGB can provide long-term relief from PTSD symptoms and have a substantial impact on your total treatment approach.

Who Can Benefit from SGB for PTSD?

Anyone who is suffering from PTSD, whether they have tired of no results from traditional therapies or want to give this approach a try, can contact our Stellate Ganglion Block PTSD team near them. This approach is safe for everyone.

While SGB is being studied for PTSD, it is also helpful for other conditions, like if you have been through a traumatic event and are suffering from mental or physical symptoms, you can approach SGB treatment.

Talk to our consultant today and know if SGB is right for you.

 

Our Approach at Klarity Clinic

Personalized patient care

Klarity Clinic believes in serving you with satisfaction. That's why we offer customized care plans for you so that you not only get mental relief but an overall boost to your mental health.

Experienced medical professionals specializing in PTSD 

Our team of experienced medical experts with research and clinical expertise is dedicated to providing the highest quality Stellate Ganglion Block treatment for PTSD. We’re here to support you every step of the way with compassion and science-backed treatments.

State-of-the-art facilities and equipment

To guarantee you receive the best care possible, we employ cutting-edge technology and equipment. Our state-of-the-art facilities are set up to offer a safe and comfortable setting for your treatment.

 

The SGB Procedure

You’ll lie on your back on a procedure table.

  • The doctor will clean and disinfect your neck.

  • The first injection of local anesthesia near your voice box is given. This might sting or burn a little, but it numbs the area to reduce pain.

  • If you're feeling anxious, they might offer mild sedation to help you relax.

  • Using ultrasound or X-ray guidance, the doctor will insert a second thin needle to accurately place the stellate ganglion block.

  • The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes.

  • Our team will monitor you for a short period after the procedure to ensure everything is okay, and then you’ll be able to go home.

Post-Procedure Care and Recovery

Following the injection, you may experience temporary swelling and inflammation at the injection site. This is typically mild and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or ice. Most patients report that any post-procedure discomfort resolves within a few hours to a day.

Safety and Risks

Common side effects do occur after the procedure, but they usually go away within a few hours and can include:

Bruising or soreness: Slight bruising or soreness, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and by applying ice to the area.

Drooping eyelids or red eyes: For a few hours your eyelids might droop, or your eyes might appear bloodshot.

Watery eyes and stuffy nose: It might impact their nasal cavity, but these symptoms typically subside on their own.

Hoarse voice and lump in throat: You may feel a scratchy voice or a lump in your throat. These sensations typically disappear within a few minutes.

Tingly or warm feeling in arm or hand: You might experience a warm or tingly feeling in your arm or hand, which also goes away within a few hours.

Potential Risks and Complications

Although serious complications are rare, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks, which include infection at the injection site, bleeding from a punctured blood vessel, damage to nearby nerves, collapsed lungs, and any other kind of allergic reaction.

How Does Klarity Clinic Ensure Patient Safety?

By following these steps, we offer the safest Stellate Ganglion Block PTSD treatment near you.

Pre-procedural screening: We thoroughly assess your health to ensure it is safe to have the injection. If you have a cold, infection, high blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners, we will address these concerns first.

Experienced medical team: Our skilled physicians and medical staff are highly trained to perform procedures safely.

Imaging guidance: We use advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography or fluoroscopy, to precisely inject and reduce the chance of problems.

Post-procedure monitoring: Following the injection, we strictly monitor you to ensure you are recovering properly before sending you home.

Areas Served

We are located in the following regions with easy-to-reach centers, plenty of parking, and convenient access to public transportation.

Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and all nearby neighborhoods.

Schedule a consultation

Living with PTSD can be tough, but you don't have to fight it alone. At Klarity Clinic, we're here to help you with Stellate Ganglion Block PTSD treatment near you in Inland Empire & Northern Orange County, CA. Schedule a consultation today and choose an effective path to feel better.

Fill out our online appointment form or contact us today to book your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Without insurance, the out-of-pocket cost for an SGB varies, with online estimates ranging from $500 per injection to upward of $1500. For an accurate estimate, contact Klarity Clinic today.

  • In research and clinical practices, Stellate Ganglion Block shows 85% effectiveness in treating PTSD symptoms.

  • The accepted medical practice is that you cannot drive for 8 hours after this procedure. Therefore, arrange a driver with you or use a driving service like Uber.