Are your emotions constantly up and down? Are you plagued by memories or flashbacks that get in the way of enjoying life? Have you been diagnosed with PTSD, and been unable to recover? A Stellate Ganglion Block(SGB) treatment may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Here’s everything you need to know about the treatment, and where to get a Stellate Ganglion Block in San Diego.
Start to Feel Better Quickly with an SGB!
What is the Stellate Ganglion Block?
The stellate ganglion is an integral part of your sympathetic nervous system. Situated on both sides of your voice box, this collection of nerves provides feeling to areas in the head, the neck, and the upper chest. A Stellate Ganglion Block is an injection of medicine (typically a local anesthetic) into the stellate ganglion, which can serve multiple purposes in the treatment of mental and physical conditions.
Stellate Ganglion Block and PTSD
Stellate Ganglion Block injections can be used to treat trauma, specifically in the context of PTSD. In a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block for treating PTSD, the effectiveness of two SGB treatments given two weeks apart was confirmed, with a notable reduction in PTSD symptom severity scores over 8 weeks. These are extremely exciting findings, which is why we offer Stellate Ganglion Block to clients suffering from PTSD.
Here’s how it works:
Mechanism: The stellate ganglion is part of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the ‘fight or flight’ response. In PTSD, this response can be overactive. An SGB injection, typically a local anesthetic, is administered to the stellate ganglion to ‘reset’ this overactivity.
Effects: The injection may reduce symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and hypervigilance. Some patients report rapid relief, often within 30 minutes to a few hours after the procedure.
Procedure: The procedure is minimally invasive and is performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement of the injection.
Research and Evidence: Research on SGB for PTSD is growing, with some studies showing positive results. However, it’s important to note that this treatment is considered supplementary and should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan including therapy and medication.
Considerations and Risks: As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved, such as soreness or bruising at the injection site, and it may not be effective for everyone.
It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if SGB is an appropriate treatment for individual cases of trauma or PTSD. They can provide detailed information, assess suitability, and discuss potential risks and benefits.
Other Conditions That Can Be Treated With SGB
There are several conditions that can potentially be diagnosed or treated with help from a stellate ganglion block. However, SGB is often co-administered alongside additional treatments or medications.
One key benefit of the stellate ganglion block is pain relief in different parts of the body. It’s often used as a treatment for conditions that affect the head, neck, face, chest, and in some cases, the arms. If you deal with chronic pain daily and find that it dramatically affects your quality of life, the relief provided by SGB can be game-changing.
Conditions that SGB can treat include:
- Causalgia
- Intractable Angina
- Phantom Limb Pain
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Herpes Zoster Infection (AKA Shingles)
- Raynaud’s Syndrome
Who Can Benefit from SGB?
Getting SGB in San Diego can be beneficial if you deal with any of the chronic conditions listed above. Stellate Ganglion Block treatments may be especially beneficial if you are dealing with treatment-resistant PTSD and struggling to find a solution that effectively alleviates your symptoms.
What You Can Expect During Our SGB Treatment Sessions
If you’re exploring the possible benefits of stellate ganglion block treatments or even searching “SGB treatment near me,” you need to know what to expect from this treatment.
When you get Stellate Ganglion Block in San Diego with us, your treatments are overseen by medical professionals who have successfully completed the procedure countless times. Our team works hard to ensure that you are comfortable, relaxed, and completely safe throughout the treatment process.
As mentioned above, the SGB procedure is an injection into the neck that can only be administered by a medical professional. At the beginning of the procedure, a doctor or nurse may give you medication via an IV to help you relax throughout the process. After this, the doctor in charge of the procedure will inject a local anesthetic into your neck, which makes the stellate ganglion block injection painless. After the anesthetic is administered, the doctor will inject the second anesthetic medication intended to reduce sensation in the stellate ganglion block.
It’s important to note that many patients return for follow-up SGB treatments after their initial procedure. The relief from the treatment can last anywhere from several days to several weeks, with the duration of relief varying from patient to patient. SGB pain relief tends to last longer with each injection.
Stellate Ganglion Block in San Diego: Get Started Today
If you live in the San Diego area and are wondering, “where can I get an SGB injection near me?” We’re here to help. Our team administers stellate ganglion block in San Diego and is ready to help you get started with the treatment process and get the relief that you need. Contact us to schedule your first appointment and start the next chapter of your life.
FAQs about Stellate Ganglion Block
The stellate ganglion block is a reliable treatment option for several chronic conditions. There is also a growing body of research to back up the effectiveness of the treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
In some cases, SGB injections can be covered by health insurance. Generally speaking, the procedure is not usually covered as a mental health care procedure.
If you’re unsure about whether your stellate ganglion block injections will be covered by your health insurance, be sure to consult your insurance provider and clinic of choice before scheduling treatment.
The stellate ganglion block is a low-risk procedure. However, there are some mild side effects worth knowing about before your first treatment.
The typical side effects from SGB injections include:
- Droopiness of the eyelids
- Mild difficulty swallowing and feeling like there is a lump in your throat
- A stuffy nose
- Temporary changes in the quality of your voice; hoarseness
- Tearing up during the recovery process
- Bloodshot or red eyes
- Tingling sensations
If you experience any other side effects after an SGB treatment, make sure to consult your doctor. However, you can have peace of mind knowing that any other side effects are highly unlikely.