Why you won’t be sedated for your SGB
We don’t use sedation to administer stellate ganglion blocks. Here’s why you don’t need sedation, and what we do to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
We don’t use sedation to administer stellate ganglion blocks. Here’s why you don’t need sedation, and what we do to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
Stellate ganglion blocks feel a bit like a flu shot, and we’ll guide you through the procedure the whole time.
Before ultrasound or x-ray, stellate ganglion blocks were done entirely by feel. You can still use these techniques to find where your own stellate ganglion is located.
We expect to see some side effects following a stellate ganglion block, and they are a good way to know that the procedure has been done correctly.
Stellate ganglion blocks reduce the stress response of traumatic memories, but they do not alter your memories of your traumatic experiences.
The procedure for a stellate ganglion block, broken down step-by-step.
Whether you’re just starting treatment or have been going for a long time, there are some reasons why you may not be seeing the efficacy you expect from treatment.
A Dual Sympathetic Reset is a Stellate Ganglion Block with two targeted injections.
The Stellate Ganglion Block – also called SGB, sympathetic nerve reset, dual sympathetic reset, or sympathetic block – targets the sympathetic nervous system. Often employed for pain relief, stellate ganglion blocks have increasingly been used for PTSD and other mental health conditions with fast-acting and impressive results.
Insurance does not generally cover stellate ganglion blocks for mental health. The procedure is well established, but generally only covered for use in pain conditions (and even then it may not be consistently covered). It remains an excellent treatment option — especially considering its effectiveness and durability.
Dr Wells shares why we love interventional treatments for mental health.
Ketamine infusions and stellate ganglion blocks can both be used to treat PTSD. Some patients may benefit more from one treatment or the other, or from both.
Dr Wells goes over what a Stellate Ganglion Block is, how it works, how long it lasts, and what to expect from treatment.