Stellate ganglion blocks are refining PTSD treatment?
When you continue to experience intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, and anxiety, months and even years atter an traumatic event – PTSD or Post Traumatic stress disorder become a diffcult disorder to treat.
Essentially, portions of the brain – the amygdala – and nervous system– are stuck in threat mode and for some, despite medications and therapy, don’t improve.
Radically different than other PTSD treatments
If the symptoms of PTSD are like an orchestra where all the musicians are playing different tunes. A Stellate ganglion block is a procedure, an injection, that regulates the key symptoms of PTSD: hypervigilance and Anxiety.
Patients finally get a break from the constant threat surveillance typical of PTSD.
PTSD symptoms
1. Intrusive thoughts, Flashbacks & Nightmares
2. Hypervigilance-constant threat surveillance
3. Avoidance of triggering events
4. Anxiety, Depression & Isolation
How can an injection help PTSD?
Reasonable question. We’ll try to answer the question simply as well.
The fundamental question about PTSD is how can these symptoms be maintained for years after a traumatic event?
An entire portion of you nervous system is dedicated to threat assessment. We’ve al heard of the flight or fight response which readies us to run from threat.
PTSD is like being stuck in permanent flight or fight mode.
The Stellate Ganglion is the key relay center for the flight of fight instinct. An injection of local anesthetic like novovaine can shut it down for weeks. Though it's temporary, this allows a RESET and patients have long term benefit!
The Procedure: What to Expect
When considering a stellate ganglion block, you’ll first chat with our doctor and review your medical history.
The procedure itself takes 10 minutes, recovery is another 30 minutes.
The steps are straightforward. The doctor will then clean your neck where they’ll inject. You’ll get a local anesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel pain. After you’re numb, the doctor will use a special ultrasound to show where the Stellate ganglion is (sort of like a fetal ultrasound but of the neck) and carefully insert a thin needle. The ultrasound shows the needle in real time and lets the doctors guide it towards the stellate ganglion.
Once the needle is in the right spot, they’ll inject numbing medicine.
All in – procedure and recovery take 40 minutes.
Nothing’s risk free, so what are the risks?
If you have it done with ultrasound, the risks are minimial. Like all medical procedures, it’s got its risks and side effects.
Because the Stellate ganglion has connections to nerves that supply the face. If it is performed correctly, you will have a temporary Horner syndrome: flushing the face, droopy eyelid and maybe a hoarse voice. First off, you might feel a bit hoarse or get a droopy eyelid temporarily. This resolves within 4 hours.
Uncommonly, you could have a seizure if the local anesthetic accidentally goes into a blood vessel. And like with any time you break the skin, infection’s a possibility.
Are Stellate Ganglion blocks a game changer?
The most recent studies show it to be remarkably effect with almost 70%of patient improving! The key to success is ultrasound guidance and an experienced provider is performing an SGB for PTSD.
Recovery is possible!
Yes, having an injection when your already nervous isn’t easy. But, when other treatments haven't worked, an SGB may succeed. The effects can vary, lasting for months, giving patients a much-needed break from their symptoms.
About Libertas Mind
Libertas Mind is a clinic offering interventional treatments for mental health and specializes in stellate ganglion blocks for PTSD. Dr. Steindler is a double-board Pain medicine and Anesthesiologist physician with 10 years of expertise in ultrasound-guided procedures and stellate ganglion blocks for PTSD. If you or a loved one may benefit from PTSD treatment don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 518 – 672 – 3050.
