Stellate Ganglion Blocks Treatment in San Antonio, TX

A stellate ganglion block is the administration of an anesthetic medication through an injection into the base of the front of the neck, targeting a bundle of nerves that have fused together and are located there which are called the stellate ganglion. Around 80% of the population has stellate ganglion that have fused together, with the rest of the population do not have the ganglia fuse together. The stellate ganglion provides majority of the sympathetic nerve signals to the surrounding areas including a portion of the upper chest, the head, neck, and the arms. Injecting the anesthetic into the stellate ganglion is a common treatment for a variety of pain conditions as well as circulation problems and is currently being studied to determine its efficacy in treating mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

The anesthetic that is being injected to block nerve signals being sent from the stellate ganglion to the brain can have a dramatic effect on the amount of pain that is being experienced. Interrupting or blocking these nerve signals means that the brain is unable to receive these indicators that pain is being experienced, resulting in significantly reduced pain levels. Additionally, the stellate ganglion is an integral component to the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for a variety of bodily functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating. This means that the stellate ganglion block not only limits how much pain is being signalled to the brain, but also can have a significant effect on the sympathetic nerves that have to do with autonomic responses of the body.

One of the most common reasons a healthcare provider will administer stellate ganglion blocks is to diagnose a chronic neuropathic pain condition known as SMP (sympathetically mediated pain) that occurs when pain signals are being sent by the sympathetic nervous system to the brain for reasons unknown.

The stellate ganglion blocks are also very commonly used to treat chronic pain conditions, injuries to the nerves, and circulatory conditions, including the following to name a few:

– Chronic pain experienced following a surgical procedure
– Complex regional pain syndrome
– Phantom limb pain
– Postherpetic neuralgia
– Pain being experienced in the mouth or face
– Scleroderma
– Atypical chest pain
– Artery disease
– Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
– Refractory cardiac arrhythmias

Significant research is continuously being performed that supporting the use of stellate ganglion blocks to be used for mental health conditions as well, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The reason it may be effective for PTSD treatment is because PTSD leads to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which the stellate ganglion block directly interacts with to reduce this activity, in turn reducing the symptoms of PTSD. This form of treatment is not yet FDA-approved for PTSD but is often recommended for off-label use by healthcare providers when other forms of treatment have proven to be ineffective. Research is also being performed to assess its efficacy in treating other mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

The results provided from stellate ganglion blocks will vary a fair bit in longevity, with patients being able to achieve pain relief for several days to several weeks. Typically, patients will need a series of injections of the local anesthetic to achieve longer-term relief, sometimes even needing more than 10 injections. However, some patients will only need two injections to achieve the same results. Patients can also expect for the results to last a bit longer following each additional treatment. For a more accurate timeline of results, it is strongly encouraged that patients schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider offers stellate ganglion block treatments to take their specific condition and severity of condition into account.
 
Stellate Ganglion Blocks Treatment is available at San Antonio Pain Consultants P.A. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are located at 3903 Wiseman Blvd, Ste 117, San Antonio, TX 78251. We serve patients from San Antonio TX, Helotes TX, Alamo Ranch TX, Leon Valley TX, Shavano Park TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Castroville TX, Balcones Heights TX, Fair Oaks TX, and surrounding areas.