Stellate Ganglion Block, explained.
SGB is a brief outpatient procedure in which a local anesthetic is injected near a small bundle of nerves in the neck that helps regulate the body’s sympathetic, or fight-or-flight, response. We do not currently offer SGB at Northwest Healing & Wellness. This page exists for patients researching what SGB is and where it fits.
A targeted block of the sympathetic chain in the neck.
The stellate ganglion is a small cluster of nerves on either side of the lower neck. It is part of the sympathetic nervous system, the network that drives the body’s threat response. By temporarily quieting signals through this ganglion with a local anesthetic, SGB is being studied as a way to “reset” an overactive stress response in select patients.
Image-guided
The injection is performed with ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance to place the medication precisely.
Quick and outpatient
The procedure itself usually takes under 15 minutes. Patients are observed briefly afterward and typically go home the same day.
Originally a pain procedure
SGB has been used in pain medicine for decades for complex regional pain syndrome and other neuropathic conditions. The PTSD and anxiety applications are newer and still being studied.
A short, careful, image-guided injection.
Most centers that offer SGB describe a similar workflow. Specifics vary by clinician and indication.
Evaluation
A clinical evaluation determines whether SGB is appropriate, given your history, anatomy, and goals. Not everyone is a candidate.
The block
Under ultrasound guidance, a local anesthetic is injected near the stellate ganglion in the lower neck. Some centers offer a brief sedative; many do not.
Observation and follow-up
You are observed for a short period. Many practitioners offer a second block a few days to weeks later, depending on the indication and response.
Studied in select stress, pain, and vasomotor conditions.
Evidence for SGB is strongest in pain medicine. The PTSD and anxiety literature is growing but mixed. Some patients respond, some do not, and head-to-head comparisons with established therapies remain limited. We present it here in measured, evidence-informed terms.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
SGB has been used for decades as part of pain-management treatment for CRPS and related upper-extremity neuropathic pain conditions.
PTSD Symptoms
A growing body of research suggests SGB may reduce hyperarousal and reactivity for some patients living with PTSD. Results vary, and the procedure is one tool among many.
Severe Anxiety & Panic
Used in some specialty centers as an adjunct to therapy and medication. SGB is not considered a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders.
Menopausal Hot Flashes
Studied as a non-hormonal option for severe vasomotor symptoms in women who cannot, or prefer not to, use hormone replacement therapy.
Different tool. Different evidence base. Different fit.
For PTSD and anxiety in particular, IV ketamine has more cumulative evidence in our hands and across the field. SGB is interesting, and we are watching the literature closely. This page is informational, not a recommendation.
The comparison is general. Individual fit depends on history, prior treatment, and goals. The right person to weigh these options with you is a psychiatiric or medical provider familiar with your case.
SGB, answered honestly.
Do you offer SGB at NWKC or NWHW?
No. Stellate Ganglion Block is not currently part of our service menu at Northwest Ketamine Clinics or Northwest Healing & Wellness. This page is informational. SGB for chronic pain is generally performed by pain-medicine physicians, while SGB for PTSD or anxiety is offered at a smaller number of specialty clinics nationally.
Is SGB safe?
When performed by an experienced clinician under image guidance, SGB has a strong safety record. Side effects are usually temporary and may include a droopy eyelid, hoarseness, or nasal congestion on the side of the block. Serious complications are uncommon but possible.
How quickly do effects appear, and how long do they last?
Reports vary. Some patients describe a sense of calm within hours. Others notice changes over several days or weeks, while some experience little change. Durability is also variable, and some clinics recommend a second block to extend benefit.
Is SGB a replacement for therapy or medication in PTSD?
No. Most clinicians who offer SGB view it as an adjunct to evidence-based therapy and, when appropriate, medication management. It is one tool among many, not a stand-alone cure.
What can I do at NWKC today?
For patients with PTSD, anxiety, or chronic pain, current options at NWKC include IV ketamine, Spravato through NWHW, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and medication management. Our team can help determine which approach may be the best fit.
Here's what we do offer, and how to start.
If the reason you found this page is depression, PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, or something heavier that hasn't responded to first-line care, there are options we can offer today. We're happy to talk through fit during a no-pressure consultation.
IV Ketamine Infusions
The gold standard. Six-session series for mood and four-session series for pain. More than 50,000 infusions delivered.
Learn More →Spravato® (Esketamine)
FDA-approved nasal esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, often eligible for insurance coverage.
Learn More →Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine treatment integrated with licensed therapy for trauma processing, PTSD, and deeper emotional healing.
Learn More →Medication Management
Thoughtful prescribing and deprescribing through Northwest Healing & Wellness when appropriate.
Learn More →