Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB)

STELLATE GANGLION BLOCK

A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a method of treating certain conditions resulting from chronic (longterm) over activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is the system that prepares our body for emergencies, (the fight or flight response). The stellate ganglion block is an injection of local anesthetic into an area of the neck (cervical sympathetic trunk). The anesthetic temporarily and partially blocks part of the sympathetic nervous system. Although there is a sympathetic trunk on both sides of the neck, for treating chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous we only block one side per treatment for safety reasons. We think this block works by “resetting” or “re-booting” the fight or flight response that has become dysfunctional (inappropriately activated) in some individuals exposed to highly stressful situations. The sympathetic nervous system controls automatic functions of our body such as heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and pain perception. Too much activation can lead to long-term (chronic) poor sleep, increased irritability and poor concentration and memory, among other symptoms. Like a computer that gets stuck sometimes, this procedure is similar to rebooting your body’s emergency response system.

· Insomnia
· Inability to relax
· Inability to enjoy intimate relations
· Inability to focus and think clearly
· Over reactivity to stress
· Panic Attacks:(heart pounding trouble breathing, or sweating
· Discomfort with large groups of people
· Inability to function in relationships without over reacting
· Lack of ability to enjoy life
· Feeling of not going to be around much longer
· Glare of lights inhibiting night vision
· Chronic pain in arms or legs
· Selling of the extremities
· Excessive sweating
· Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
· Repeated disturbing memories thoughts or images of a stressful experience from the past
· Loss of interested in things that used to be fun
· Feeling distant or cut off from other people sprain/strain
· Feeling emotionally Numb
· Reflex sympathetic Dystrophy

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