Stellate Ganglion Block: A Breakthrough in PTSD Treatment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can feel overwhelming even after significant treatment with traditional mental health supports. Sometimes the physiological symptoms of trauma can be debilitating even when clients are doing great work in therapy. This is because the physical symptoms that many people experience with trauma is biological in nature. Traditional mental health counseling supports many aspects of recovery and healing, but is sometimes unable to bring enough healing to these biologically rooted symptoms.
One of the most effective treatments Nourish Therapy & Wellness has seen for the biological treatment of PTSD is the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). The SGB is a safe and innovative procedure that has shown great results in reducing the physiological symptoms of trauma such as anxiety and panic. These symptoms can often impact quality of life and overall functioning for many people. Symptoms such as panic attacks, hyperarousal, sleep issues, muscle tension, GI issues, fatigue and increased heart rate are greatly improved by the SGB.
So, what is SGB? The Stellate Ganglion is a collection of nerves located in the neck that regulates the body's "fight or flight" response (sympathetic nervous system). When triggered, this response can stay heightened in individuals with PTSD and jammed in the “on position”, making it difficult to manage symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance and emotional distress. The SGB involves an injection of a local anesthetic into this nerve cluster, helping to reset the nervous system and significantly reduce these symptoms. The medication is metabolized within 6-8 hours and the procedure itself is about 15 minutes in an outpatient doctor’s office. Guided by ultrasound, the SGB alleviates physical symptoms of trauma by resetting the sympathetic nervous system’s survival stress response.
At Nourish Therapy & Wellness, we work closely with highly skilled doctors who specialize in performing the SGB procedure for the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and panic. With our extensive experience in supporting clients through this treatment, we've seen many individuals experience immediate and lasting relief. Whether you're struggling with PTSD from combat, accidents, or other traumatic experiences, SGB offers a promising path toward healing. The SGB provides immediate relief and only enhances the work individuals are doing in therapy. All of the research supports that the SGB has the best outcome while individuals are also in routine therapy sessions.
Interested in learning more? Visit this link SGB at Nourish Therapy & Wellness to learn more details about how the SGB procedure works, success stories, and logistics. Nourish’s founder and clinical director, Lauren Bittner, is happy to connect with you personally if you would like to learn more about the SGB. You can connect with Lauren at laurenbittner@nourishtherapyandwellness.org
