Treatments

A Low-Stress, Targeted Treatment for Nerve Pain and PTSD

When chronic pain or nervous system issues take over your life, even simple things like sleeping, driving, or socializing can feel overwhelming. Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) offer a non-surgical option to help calm the nervous system and ease symptoms of pain, PTSD, and circulation disorders without the need for heavy meds or long recovery times.

At Midwest Vascular and Pain Specialists, we use minimally invasive treatments like SGB to help patients find real relief and feel more like themselves again.

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What’s a Stellate Ganglion Block?

A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a quick injection at the base of your neck where a group of nerves called the stellate ganglion sits. These nerves help control your autonomic nervous system which is the part of your body that manages things like blood pressure, heart rate, and how your body processes pain.

By blocking the nerve signals from this nerve cluster, an SGB can help with:

• Chronic nerve pain (like CRPS)
• PTSD symptoms
• Severe migraines or cluster headaches
• Circulatory problems affecting the arms and the face
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

This treatment is used both for pain relief and for regulating nervous system dysfunctions that may contribute to chronic health conditions.

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Learn more about pain therapy treatments at Midwest Vascular and Pain Specialists.

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Who Might Benefit from an SGB?

 SGB is a proven treatment for a lot of conditions, and you might be a good candidate if you’re dealing with:

• PTSD and Anxiety Disorders - Helps reduce overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is a key contributor to PTSD symptoms.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) - Targets nerve-related pain and inflammation in the upper limbs.
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain - Reduces widespread nerve pain and discomfort.
• Migraines and Headaches - Helps relieve chronic, treatment-resistant headaches.
• Circulatory Disorders - Improves blood flow for conditions such as Raynaud’s disease.

Explore other non-surgical pain management solutions.

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How Does the Procedure Work?

The procedure is quick and done right in our office. Here’s what to expect:

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Step 1: Get Comfortable
You’ll lie down with your neck gently extended. The injection site is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.

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Step 2: Targeted Injection
Using live X-ray or ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is placed near the stellate ganglion. A small dose of local anesthetic is injected.

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Step 3: Short Monitoring Time
After the injection, you will be monitored briefly, then you’re free to head home. Some patients feel immediate relief, while others notice improvement after a few days.

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Learn about other advanced spinal pain treatments.

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What Happens After the Injection?

How long does relief last?
For PTSD, many patients notice lasting symptom relief after just one or two injections. For chronic pain, relief can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

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Recovery Timeline:

• First few hours: You might notice mild hoarseness, a droopy eyelid, or facial warmth which all these wear off quickly.
• First few days: Pain relief may start gradually.
• Within a week: Most people see the full benefit by this point.

Some people need a few rounds of treatment for the best results.

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Why Consider a Stellate Ganglion Block?

• Reduces need for long-term medications
• Provides long-term relief for nerve-related pain and PTSD symptoms
• Minimally invasive procedure with little to no downtime
• Improves circulation in conditions affecting blood flow
• Can help regulate the autonomic nervous system

Read about other interventional pain management techniques.

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Long-Term Management for Pain and PTSD

For the best outcome, we often pair SGBs with:

• Physical therapy to keep your body moving and supported
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) especially for PTSD management
• Lifestyle changes including stress management 

If symptoms come back, we can explore additional options like repeat SGBs or other nerve-based treatments.

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Learn about radiofrequency ablation for chronic pain.

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FAQs

How long does a stellate ganglion block last?
Relief can last from a few weeks to several months. It varies based on what we’re treating.

Is a stellate ganglion block painful?
Most patients experience only mild discomfort, as local anesthesia is used during the procedure.

Will I need more than one treatment?
Some patients do great with one. Others benefit from a short series spaced out over time.

Is it covered by insurance?
Yes, Many insurance plans cover SGBs for chronic pain and nervous system disorders. Our team will assist with verifying coverage.

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Why Choose Midwest Vascular and Pain Specialists?

At Midwest Vascular and Pain Specialists, we specialize in high quality pain management treatments to help patients achieve lasting relief. Our expert team ensures precision and patient comfort during each procedure.

• Board-certified specialists in nerve pain treatments
• Advanced imaging technology for precise injections
• Personalized treatment plans with long-term relief in mind