Louisiana Pain Specialists Among First in the US to Perform Stellate Ganglion Blocks for Long COVID

Louisiana Pain Specialists is proud to announce that we are among the first facilities in the United States and the first facility in Louisiana to perform stellate ganglion blocks to help provide relief from long COVID symptoms.  Roughly 40% of those that have recovered from COVID-19 are still facing viral-like symptoms, an occurrence known as long COVID. While it is unknown how long these symptoms may linger, a procedure known as a stellate ganglion block has shown promise in decreasing the effects of known COVID manifestations, like loss of taste/smell, fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain. 

The effects linked to long COVID include the sympathetic nervous system and activated fight or flight responses, which can result in impaired blood flow, escalated inflammation, and increased pain sensitivity – similar to chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and other inflammatory diseases.

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?

The stellate ganglion block has been performed for decades, originally targeting nerve pain. Recent studies show that this quick and simple procedure may also be effective for PTSD symptoms as well as long COVID symptoms. By using a local anesthetic in the anterior region of the neck, targeting cervical sympathetic chain activity, a stellate ganglion block allows for the body to reboot the autonomic nervous system by reduce fight or flight responses for roughly 24 hours. While the injection is quick and minimally invasive, case studies have shown that patients may experience relief almost immediately and that results can last several months.

Patient Success

We are so excited to share Ms. Karen’s story as she was the very first patient in the greater New Orleans region to complete a stellate ganglion block for long COVID symptoms.  After contracting COVID in 2020, Ms. Karen suffered from distorted taste and smell for nearly a year and a half before she came to us for treatment. As soon as that evening after her injection she began to experience relief of her symptoms. She was even able to eat a steak for dinner, which had previously tasted “rancid” for the prior 18 months. Check out the interview with Ms. Karen and Dr. Suneil “Neil” Jolly linked below to hear more about her tremendous results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kzcgQZDbEg&t=23s

If you or someone you know is suffering from long COVID symptoms, contact our office today for an appointment to discuss if this procedure is right for you!