What is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) and how does it work?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a medical procedure that involves injecting an anesthetic medication into a group of nerves called the stellate ganglion, located in the neck at the level of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae (C6 and C7). The stellate ganglion is part of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s fight or flight response.
How can SGB help with PTSD? The injection of anesthetic medication into the stellate ganglion temporarily blocks the sympathetic nerve impulses, resulting in a decrease in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This can help alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as anxiety, hyperarousal, and flashbacks.
How is SGB performed?
SGB is typically performed under ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement of the needle. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. The patient lies on their back with their head turned slightly to the side, and the skin over the injection site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
The physician then inserts a needle through the skin and into the stellate ganglion, injecting the anesthetic medication. The patient may feel a brief burning or stinging sensation during the injection, but this is usually mild and short-lived. After the injection, the patient is monitored for a short period of time to ensure there are no complications.
What are the risks and side effects of SGB?
Like any medical procedure, SGB carries some risks and potential side effects. The most common side effects include temporary hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of warmth or flushing in the face. These side effects usually resolve within a few hours to a few days.
More serious complications, such as infection, bleeding, or nerve damage, are rare but possible. Your physician will discuss the risks and benefits of SGB with you before the procedure to help you make an informed decision.
Can SGB Be an Effective Treatment for PTSD?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a procedure that has been proposed as an adjunct therapy for individuals with chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who have not responded to conventional therapies. The procedure involves an injection of anesthetic medication into a collection of nerves called the stellate ganglion, which is located in your neck, on both sides of your voice box.
The mechanism by which SGB may alleviate PTSD symptoms is still unknown. However, studies have shown that the procedure can help relieve pain in your head, neck, upper arm, and upper chest, which are common areas affected by PTSD.
There is limited evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of SGB for the treatment of PTSD. A randomized controlled trial was conducted by the Department of Defense, which showed that the procedure had a success rate of approximately 70%. Another clinical trial showed a decrease in PTSD symptoms in individuals who received SGB compared to those who received a placebo injection.
SGB is considered an alternative therapy for PTSD, and its benefits and success rates are still being studied. However, behavioral health clinicians have endorsed SGB as a potential treatment for PTSD, and it has been used successfully for over 10 years. If you have not responded to conventional therapies for PTSD, you may want to consider SGB as an option.
What are the PTSD Symptoms that SGB can Help With?
If you suffer from PTSD, you may experience a range of symptoms that can severely impact your quality of life. These symptoms may include anxiety, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and hyperarousal. Hyperarousal can manifest as irritability, difficulty concentrating, and an exaggerated startle response.
PTSD symptoms are often the result of over-activation of the fear center of the brain, which can lead to an ongoing state of anxiety and fear. This over-activation can be triggered by reminders of the traumatic event, leading to a vicious cycle of re-experiencing the trauma and worsening symptoms.
SGB is a treatment that targets the fear center of the brain, helping to reduce the over-activation that can lead to PTSD symptoms. By blocking the stellate ganglion, which is a cluster of nerves located in the neck, SGB can help to reduce the activation of the fear center of the brain and alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hyperarousal.
While SGB is not a cure for PTSD, it can be an effective treatment option for those who have not responded to other therapies. If you are struggling with PTSD symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider to see if SGB may be a suitable treatment option for you.
What is the relationship between SGB and Veterans?
For Veterans suffering from PTSD, SGB may be a viable treatment option. SGB involves injecting a local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, which can provide short-term relief from PTSD symptoms. While SGB is not an established treatment for PTSD, it may be an option for Veterans who have not found success with other treatments.
One benefit of SGB is that it can be used in conjunction with other PTSD treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication. In fact, SGB may be particularly helpful for Veterans who are resistant to traditional treatments or who have experienced stigma related to seeking treatment for mental health issues.
Research on SGB for PTSD is ongoing, and the long-term effects of the treatment are still unknown. However, studies have shown that SGB can be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety, depression, and hyperarousal.
For Veterans who have experienced combat or other traumatic events during their service, SGB may be a promising option for managing PTSD symptoms. Active-duty service members may also benefit from SGB, although more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in this population.
How does SGB impact Mental Health?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) has been proposed as an adjunct therapy for individuals with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have not responded to conventional therapies. SGB is an injection of anesthetic medication into a collection of nerves called the stellate ganglion, located in the neck, on both sides of the voice box. The injection can help relieve pain in the head, neck, upper arm, and upper chest.
While the mechanism by which SGB may reduce PTSD symptoms is unknown, studies have shown promising results. Behavioral health clinicians who have experience with SGB for PTSD have identified “Arousal/Reactivity” as the symptom cluster most improved following treatment with SGB. Additionally, there are 14 original studies published since 1990 in the peer-reviewed medical literature documenting SGB’s successful treatment of PTSD symptoms.
It is important to note that SGB is not a cure for PTSD, and it should not be used as a standalone treatment. SGB should be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as psychotherapy, to address the underlying causes of PTSD. Additionally, SGB should only be administered by a trained medical professional.
How does SGB affect the physical reactions associated with PTSD?
When you experience a traumatic event, your body’s natural fight or flight response is triggered. This response is controlled by the sympathetic nerves in your body. For people with PTSD, this response can become overactive, leading to symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and a feeling of warmth in the chest and upper chest area.
SGB works by blocking the sympathetic nerves in the stellate ganglion, which can help to reset the body’s fight or flight response. This can lead to a reduction in physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and sweating.
Many people who undergo SGB report feeling a sense of relaxation and calmness after the procedure. This can be attributed to the reduction in sympathetic nerve activity and the resulting decrease in physical symptoms.
It’s important to note that SGB is not a cure for PTSD, and it may not work for everyone. However, for some people, it can be an effective tool in managing symptoms and improving quality of life. If you are considering SGB as a treatment option, it’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
How does SGB affect Quality of Life for Individuals with PTSD?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a procedure that involves the injection of a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion to inhibit sympathetic outflow. SGB has been studied as a potential treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and some studies have reported improvements in quality of life for individuals who receive SGB treatments.
PTSD can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work, maintain relationships, and engage in daily activities. Medications and therapy are commonly used to treat PTSD, but not all individuals respond to these treatments. SGB may be a viable alternative for individuals who do not respond to traditional treatments.
Healthcare providers can diagnose PTSD and determine if SGB is an appropriate treatment option. SGB is typically administered by a trained healthcare provider, such as an anesthesiologist or pain management specialist.
While there is limited evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness of SGB for PTSD, some studies have reported improvements in quality of life for individuals who receive SGB treatments. SGB may provide relief from symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and nightmares, which can improve an individual’s ability to function in daily life.
What is the Clinical Effectiveness of SGB for PTSD?
Research studies have explored the clinical effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In a randomized clinical trial, active-duty service members with PTSD symptoms at a clinical threshold and subthreshold were treated with two SGB treatments two weeks apart. The results showed that SGB was effective in reducing CAPS-5 total symptom severity scores over eight weeks.
Other studies have explored the use of SGB for PTSD and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Administration of one to two SGBs using right-sided laterality with 0.5% ropivacaine was most common. SGB has been proposed as an adjunct therapy in individuals with chronic PTSD who have not responded to conventional therapies. The mechanism by which SGB may reduce PTSD symptoms is unknown.
Evidence-based guidelines for SGB treatment of PTSD are emerging, and study protocols are being developed. Exclusion criteria for SGB treatment may include pregnancy, allergy to local anesthetics, and coagulopathy.
While pharmacotherapy and meditation have been used to treat PTSD, SGB offers a non-pharmacological alternative that has shown promising results. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can play a role in educating patients about SGB and its potential benefits and risks.
