Louisiana Pain Specialists and Stellate Ganglion Blocks for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that is triggered by a distressing event – either by witnessing it or experiencing it. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety. These symptoms can prevent people from performing everyday activities and may cause significant disruption in relationships and in social and work situations. PTSD is also more common than many people realize, as it will reportedly affect 7 out of every 100 U.S. adults at some point in their lives. While there are a variety of treatment options for PTSD, including psychotherapy and medication, multiple peer-reviewed medical studies show that stellate ganglion blocks may result in significant long-term improvement in chronic anxiety symptoms associated with PTSD. We have had excellent success with this treatment in our clinics, and Dr. Suneil “Neil” Jolly and our providers at Louisiana Pain Specialists are proud to be able to offer this option to our patients who suffer from PTSD or who have failed other traditional treatments for their PTSD symptoms.

What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?

Stellate ganglion blocks have been used for decades to treat a variety of medical conditions, including nerve injuries and circulation issues. Recent studies show that these injections may help reduce the symptoms of PTSD. The stellate ganglion is a key component of the sympathetic nervous system, sometimes called the “fight of flight” nervous system. In PTSD, the “fight of flight” nervous system gets “stuck” in the “on” position. The stellate ganglion block injection effectively works by dulling down a person’s “fight or flight” system by administering a long-acting anesthetic into the stellate ganglion at the base of the neck. By “numbing” or blocking this nerve pathway, the chronic “fight or flight” response is turned off for several hours, which allows the brain to reset. This “resetting” may result in long-term relief of PTSD symptoms. The procedure takes fewer than 15 minutes to perform, and benefits are seen in as little as 30 minutes.

Success rate for stellate ganglion blocks for PTSD is approximately 70-80%, which is much higher than that of conventional treatments. Some patients experience almost immediate relief from their PTSD symptoms after the injection. While the benefits are not typically permanent, it can help those suffering from PTSD take control of their symptoms, to live a calmer and less anxious lifestyle, so they can improve the way they respond to their symptoms and to other forms of PTSD treatment. to improved quality of life, including improvement in daily activities, sleep, mood, employment, and relationships.