How It Works
Stellate Ganglion Block Injections
SGB treatment has shown to be an effective way to treat PTSD and many other conditions. Learn about the procedure and the benefits below.
How Treatment Works
How SGB Treatment Works
A board-certified doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the nerves in the neck. The injection process is fast, taking about 10 minutes to complete, with fifteen to twenty minutes of monitoring afterward. The entire visit will be about one hour in our surgery center/office.
The injection procedure will be performed with image guidance to ensure precise accuracy and less procedural pain. Each of our SGB Specialists has years of training and experience in this procedure, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. The injection will help the unnerved or hyperactive system of the body reset. Patients often experience less irritability, better sleep, and fewer anxiety attacks. After the procedure, many patients experience feelings of calmness and safety shortly after the dosage. It can take days or weeks after the initial injection for the effects to set in.
A second injection may be helpful 4-8 weeks after the initial appointment. There is plenty of research about the effects of SGB, which all point to it being a long-term solution. Many patients find that they can recover faster and have fewer attacks from PTSD symptoms. That has been the case for our clients who have had the Stellate Ganglion Block treatment in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It's believed that people who have PTSD tend to have an overactive sympathetic nervous system. The body creates stress hormones, which affect the part of the brain that processes fear. The constant activation of the brain because of trauma can last for years and make it difficult for them to do simple tasks.
SGB treatment offers an alternative rather than suffering through the symptoms. Contact us today to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, a Stellate Ganglion is self-pay, with insurance companies only covering an SGB injection when it is used to treat pain.
The cost of one injection is $1,750. You may also choose to schedule two injections for $2,800.
We have discounts available for two injections. Please contact us for more information regarding available discounts.
*Financing options are available.
You may be a good candidate if you have PTSD, other trauma, or long Covid symptoms such as a loss of taste and smell. Our dedicated team of providers will review your medical history during your initial consultation and make a recommendation from there.
If SGB is the right option, then an injection appointment can be scheduled. If it is determined that SGB injections are not suitable for you, then we can connect you with our Behavioral & Mental Health partners and TMS partners to discuss alternative treatment options.
An initial consultation schedule is scheduled within 1-2 weeks. After the initial consultation, a procedure date can typically be scheduled within 1-3 weeks.
Results vary per patient, but many studies have shown that an SGB can last between a few months to even a few years. Relief can start within a few minutes, days, or weeks after the initial injection. A second injection may be helpful 4-8 weeks after the initial.
While SGB has many positive effects over the long term, some patients may feel short-term side effects. Review all the side-effects here.
Yes, SGB treatment can be used to treat complex PTSD.
What The Benefits of SGB Treatment
SGB treatment for PTSD and trauma shows many positive effects and does not harm the body as there is a minimal invasion. There are a few reasons why it's a recommended treatment, and some of the more popular benefits include the following:
- Treatment for multiple conditions: SGB is known to be a treatment for PTSD. It can also help with migraines, hot flashes, and depression.
- High success rate: Three out of every four patients with PTSD experience positive results compared to other methods.
- Reset fight or flight response: The treatment does a great job of resetting the body and brain to a state from before the trauma. Results can appear soon after administering treatment, relaxing the body and mind.
- Reduce symptoms: Symptoms brought about by these illnesses make it difficult to perform tasks and lower their quality of life. Many patients who go through treatment notice improvement right away. They can think better, maintain relationships, and sleep well.
Getting treatment from one of our SGB ganglion stellate treatment locations can be a step in the right direction. Consult with us to learn if SGB is a way for you to alleviate your problems and get back to a better life.
• Warmth sensations
• Red Eyes
• Tingly sensations
• Swallowing Difficulty
• feeling of a throat lump
• A strained or raspy voice
• Eyelids Drooping
• Nasal Congestion
Short-Term Side Effects
While SGB treatment has many positive effects over the long term, some patients may feel short-term side effects after the procedure. These post-injection side effects are mild and will pass over time.
One of the first things you'll notice is redness and swelling at the injection site. These side effects happen because the body is undergoing a drastic change. However, these effects do not last long. The relief and calmness you'll have from the treatment will often outweigh the immediate concerns.
Even then, our team will be there to inform you and treat you if there is any need. The board-certified doctors at SGB Docs have successfully administered injection therapies for over 20 years. Patients can expect comprehensive care throughout the treatment process and extended support as they seek improvement over the long term.
Read The Full Studies
Promising Study Results
A comprehensive study in the British Medical Journal looked at fourteen peer-reviewed studies since 1990. They produced a report that described the effectiveness and safety of Stellate Ganglion Block Injections in successful PTSD treatment. The patients in the studies included a diverse demographic group who experienced various traumatic events.
The research focused on surveying Stellate Ganglion block physicians and experts treating PTSD/Trauma patients. The report includes collected attitudes and suggestions from the therapists to help gauge the effectiveness of SGBs.
The doctors and behavioral health providers surveyed had patients who had undergone SGB treatment for PTSD. These specialists were asked to rate the effectiveness of SGB treatment for the following PTSD symptom: "Avoidance," "Arousal/Reactivity," "Negative Thoughts," and"Reexperiencing."
Of all the symptoms, the “Arousal/Reactivity” symptom cluster was rated the most improved by 96 percent of the experts. This finding matches other studies that were published previously. None of the experts described Stellate Ganglion Block Injections for PTSD as"Not Helpful" or"Harmful."
Long Covid and SGB Treatment
People worldwide who have suffered from long Covid symptoms have commonly developed a condition called parosmia, which is the loss of taste and smell. While long Covid sufferers have felt no end in sight for their condition, SGB Treatment has shown promising results covid long haulers.
Patients receive a SGB Block Treatment, which involves two shots to their neck, and ultimately "rebooting" the Stellate Ganglion. Results are quick, with patients tasting and smelling within days after treatment.
Although the procedure is relatively new in treating long Covid symptoms, the future is bright for those affected by parosmia!
At SGB Docs, we have been providing SGB Treatment to long Covid sufferers and have seen excellent results among our patients. If you're suffering from a loss of taste and smell from Covid and looking for relief, give us a call. We may have the solution for you!
SGB Treatment Candidates
We established SGB Docs to make Stellate Ganglion Block treatment in Maryland accessible to anyone with PTSD or emotional trauma and long Covid sufferers who have lost their sense of taste and smell.
Patients looking for ways to help their condition need accessible opportunities. With our access to modern healthcare tools and techniques, we want treatment to be comfortable, effortless, and competitively affordable. SGB Docs can provide all the help necessary to ensure our patients get comprehensive treatment. Contact us today and learn more about our process.
Patient Testimonials
Our board-certified SGB doctors have over 40 years of combined experience in medicine with a shared goal of helping patients restore their health and wellness. We believe SGB treatment is an excellent option to make that possible. But don't just take our word for it. Check out some of our patient success stories!
Our board-certified SGB doctors have over 40 years of combined experience in medicine with a shared goal of helping patients restore their health and wellness. We believe SGB treatment is an excellent option to make that possible. But don't just take our word for it. Check out some of our patient success stories!
* Audio from SGB Injection patient with their expressed consent to share. Photo is not of actual patient.
Patient Testimonial
Contact Us
Learn more about the different SGB treatment options available. It’s time for you to feel relief from PTSD and anxiety.