SGB Injection Treatment For PTSD
When someone witnesses or is involved in a traumatic event, they could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a type of anxiety disorder.
This condition was initially recognized in veterans and has amassed various names over the years, including shell shock. Since anyone who has endured a traumatic experience can struggle with PTSD, it is no longer only exclusively diagnosed in veterans.
While cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications have been used to help people treat the disorder, SGB treatment has been proven to help sufferers potentially overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.
Our dedicated team of specialists is here to help you understand what the SGB treatment is, the procedure, and how you can move forward after it. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us.
The Stellate Ganglion Block Injection
The stellate ganglion is a collection of nerves within the sympathetic nervous system located between the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae. This group of nerve cells regulates your fight or flight mechanism.
The injection is typically an outpatient procedure. A medical professional administers a local anesthetic to the stellate ganglion, which obstructs nerve impulses to the face, head, neck, and arms.
Many physicians are increasingly recommending the stellate ganglion block (SGB) injection to help people counteract the symptoms of PTSD, which can include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Emotional numbness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anger
The History of the SGB
While SGB treatment might only have been recently used for the treatment of PTSD, it has been administered since the 1920s to treat various forms of chronic pain in the neck, head, and arms, as well as menopausal symptoms in women.
The fast-acting PTSD treatment is backed by the US Army, which has reportedly invested $2 million into learning more about the injection and its benefits for PTSD.
While the success rates of SGB for PTSD have been high, it serves as a new form of therapy to help those who are unable to move on from a traumatic experience.
Military doctors are the brains behind the breakthrough treatment as many use the stellate ganglion block injection to treat PTSD in Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets. The therapy could be a massive leap towards treating PTSD in thousands of soldiers and veterans who have endured a harrowing experience.
How the SGB Injection Works
The SGB injection involves an anesthetic that will numb a person’s nerve within the base of their neck. It effectively dulls the area that regulates a person’s sympathetic nervous system (also known as the fight or flight response), providing relief from the disorder’s chronic symptoms that take their toll on one’s quality of life.
Those living with PTSD can also feel secure knowing that the injection will be accurately administered through the use of x-ray imagery. Once injected, the SGB can last for many months or years, and a patient can enjoy immediate relief from their debilitating symptoms.
However, it is essential to note that the SGB injection will not help people forget any memories associated with their traumatic experiences. Instead, it could help a person live a calmer, less anxious lifestyle, so they can change the way they react to their thoughts and improve how they respond to other forms of PTSD therapy.
Who Discovered the Benefits of the SGB Injection for PTSD?
While the SGB injection was used to treat various health complaints, it was discovered by mistake when a patient with PTSD received the injection for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and noticed an improvement of his PTSD symptoms.
How Many People are Living with PTSD?
According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, approximately six out of every ten men and five out of every ten women will endure at least one traumatic moment in their lifetimes.
Women who have PTSD are more likely to have experienced child sexual abuse or sexual assault as an adult. At the same time, men will likely struggle with the disorder following a physical assault, accident, natural disaster, or after witnessing a death or severe injury.
PTSD is also more common than most people realize, as it will reportedly affect between seven and eight people out of every 100 at some point in their lives.
PTSD can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life following a traumatic event. In addition to struggling with flashbacks and nightmares, they might struggle with anxiety, depression, and anger, destroying relationships with their family, friends, and partner.
While there are various PTSD therapies available that can help a person combat the disorder, the breakthrough SGB injection could help people live a calmer lifestyle and immediately eliminate some of the symptoms impacting their quality of life.
While it is too soon to deem it a cure for everyone affected with PTSD, it could be an effective treatment option for those living with PTSD to live a better life and move on from trauma.
If you would like to learn more about the stellate ganglion block injection, do not hesitate to contact our knowledgeable staff today, who will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Our team is experienced in this field and is here to help you with your PTSD.
Get in touch with us!
If you or a loved one are suffering from PTSD/PTSI, please contact our office to schedule your initial consultation over the phone. After filling out this form, you will automatically be redirected to our Questionnaire form.
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