A stellate ganglion block is a procedure that targets and temporarily blocks a bundle of sympathetic nerves in the neck called the stellate ganglion. This acts as a reboot or reset of the sympathetic nervous system. 70-80% of patients experience a significant decrease in their symptoms of PTSD or hypervigilance, and SGBs have also been found to be effective for reducing symptoms of severe anxiety as well as other conditions.
While there is no way to know for certain whether a stellate ganglion block will be effective to treat your symptoms without trying it, there is a good way to know that the procedure itself has been performed correctly.
After a stellate ganglion block, patients can expect to see side effects referred to as Horner’s syndrome. Horner’s syndrome occurs when the sympathetic chain is blocked in the neck, as we produce with a stellate ganglion block.
Symptoms will occur on the same side of the body as the block and may include:
