Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is gaining attention as a potential treatment for individuals struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. While the procedure was initially developed for pain management, its effects on PTSD symptoms, as well as anxiety, have become an exciting area of exploration.
The procedure itself is straightforward: a local anesthetic is injected into the stellate ganglion, a cluster of nerves located in the neck that influences the brain’s fight-or-flight response. Though the anesthetic leaves the body within hours, many patients experience lasting relief from PTSD symptoms and anxiety.
How SGB Works
The stellate ganglion is part of the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the body’s response to stress and anxiety. By administering a local anesthetic to this nerve cluster, physicians can temporarily “turn down” the intensity of the body’s stress signals. Though the anesthetic clears the body within a day, patients often report months of improvement, particularly in symptoms like hypervigilance, anxiety, and irritability—common in both PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
SGB essentially resets the nervous system, giving patients relief from the overactive “fight or flight” response that fuels both PTSD and anxiety disorders. For those who feel constantly on edge, even in safe environments, SGB can help bring them back to a state of calm, allowing them to regain control over their emotional reactions.
The Impact of SGB on Anxiety
The use of SGB for anxiety has become particularly notable, as anxiety symptoms often overlap with those of PTSD. Both conditions can involve hyperarousal, difficulty concentrating, and an exaggerated startle response. Studies and clinical observations have shown that individuals suffering from severe anxiety can experience significant improvements in their symptoms after receiving SGB.
Patients treated with SGB for PTSD often describe reduced anxiety as one of the most immediate and noticeable benefits. This reduction in anxiety can lead to better sleep, improved concentration, and an enhanced ability to engage in daily tasks and social interactions. In some cases, patients who were previously unable to leave their homes due to overwhelming anxiety have found that SGB allowed them to resume more normal lives.
SGB and PTSD: A Synergistic Approach
This groundbreaking approach doesn’t replace traditional PTSD and anxiety therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or medications. However, when used in combination with these treatments, SGB can significantly enhance the patient’s ability to engage in therapy and daily activities, improving their overall quality of life. By calming the body’s stress response, it enables patients to participate more fully in trauma-focused psychotherapy, such as prolonged exposure therapy or cognitive processing therapy.
The Current Landscape: Benefits and Limitations
While SGB is not a cure for PTSD or anxiety, it is increasingly being used to reduce symptoms enough to make therapy more effective. For some, the procedure has been life-changing. Veterans and civilians alike who were once unable to engage in therapy due to severe anxiety have been able to make significant progress after receiving SGB treatment.
Dr. Gary Means, a sports medicine physician with FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Pinehurst, North Carolina, notes that many of his patients experience improved sleep, fewer nightmares, reduced anxiety, and a marked improvement in daily functioning following SGB. In some cases, patients report immediate emotional relief, describing the experience as “a weight lifted off their shoulders.”
Dr. Means, who served for many years at Fort Liberty and treated military service members with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and PTSD, brought his expertise to Pinehurst after retiring from active duty. Working alongside other specialists at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, Dr. Means continues to provide SGB treatments to veterans and civilians alike, recognizing the pressing need for alternative solutions in managing PTSD and anxiety in his community.
Despite these promising results, the Veterans Administration (VA) remains cautious. Although they acknowledge SGB’s potential for short-term symptom relief, the VA has yet to approve it as a standard treatment due to the lack of long-term studies. Currently, they recommend combining SGB with established therapies such as prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
A Complementary Approach to Healing
What makes SGB particularly compelling is its ability to complement other treatments. Licensed counselors like Amy Phariss, trained in trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, have observed that patients who undergo SGB are better able to engage in therapy afterward. While the procedure doesn’t offer “light switch” results, it provides a much-needed calm, allowing patients to process trauma and manage anxiety more effectively.
Trauma and anxiety are complex and often layered, with current stressors triggering unresolved past traumas or anxieties. SGB serves as a tool to help “close the tabs” on emotional overload, giving patients the clarity and mental space needed to work through their trauma and anxiety in therapy.
SGB and Its Potential for Anxiety Disorders
SGB has also shown promise in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder, as these conditions often involve overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system, much like PTSD. In a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), patients with severe anxiety reported noticeable reductions in symptoms following SGB treatment. This research highlights SGB as a possible intervention for individuals with anxiety disorders who do not respond well to traditional treatments like medication or psychotherapy alone.
Final Thoughts
SGB represents a powerful tool in the growing arsenal of treatments for PTSD and anxiety. By offering short-term relief from debilitating symptoms, it allows individuals the chance to re-engage with life, therapy, and loved ones. Although the procedure is still under review by the VA, its potential to dramatically improve the quality of life for veterans, civilians, and individuals with anxiety disorders cannot be understated.
For those living in Pinehurst, NC, Dr. Gary Means and his team at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, in partnership with FirstHealth, are helping individuals regain control of their lives through SGB, offering a chance for better outcomes and improved mental health.