Stellate Ganglion Block for Anxiety
Feeling Overwhelmed by Anxiety? Klarity Clinic is Your Hope
The American Psychiatric Association reports that about 8 out of 10 people experience anxiety that affects both their body and mind. That’s a lot of us! If you are one of them and have not found complete relief from traditional treatments such as medication or therapy, then we invite you to have Stellate Ganglion Block for anxiety.
At Klarity Clinic, we understand how debilitating anxiety can be. That's why we are excited to offer you this new approach to anxiety treatment, available at our Inland Empire and Northern Orange County, CA locations. SGB is a simple process that targets a group of nerves in your neck called the stellate canal. By gently relaxing these muscles, SGB helps your body to recover and return to a calm and relaxed state.
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Understanding Anxiety
Affecting millions of people Worldwide, anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses caused by a combination of biological and psychological factors. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has also dramatically increased the rate of anxiety among people.
Anxiety can have a profound effect on a person’s daily life and overall mood. Often this is due to an overactive "fight-flight" response from the nervous system, designed to help us deal with danger. However, when this response is too strong or too weak, a lot of problems can be triggered. People with anxiety always have a high fight-and-flight mode, even in resting situations. This state of continuous alertness causes a lot of issues like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and digestive issues, all of which significantly affect the person's quality of life
Anxiety symptoms can vary, but typically include:
• Fear of getting hurt
• Confusion
• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Trembling
• Pacing
• Hyperventilating
• Nervousness
• Frustration
Traditional Treatment Options for Anxiety
Anxiety is treated through a combination of therapies and medication. One of the most common therapies is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people to understand and positively modify their patterns and behaviors. On the other hand, common medications used are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Many people benefit from these treatments, while others experience no reduction in anxiety symptoms or severe side effects. For such people, new treatments such as Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for anxiety are showing promising results. This technique involves relaxing specific muscles to restore the nervous system and alleviate symptoms of anxiety so they can regain normalcy in their lives.
What is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a treatment method in which specific nerves in the lower part of your neck are numbed. These nerves, called the stellate ganglion nerves, play an important role in transmitting stress signals to the brain and body and controlling many automatic body functions like heart rate, breathing, and sweating. When you have anxiety, your nerves become locked in a constant "fight-or-flight" mode, generating distress signals even when there is no real threat. SGB works by temporarily blocking and restoring these nerves. This reduces chronic stress symptoms and provides long-term relief from symptoms of anxiety and PTSD.
Research has proved that SGB is a safe and effective approach for treating anxiety. Many patients in clinical trials receiving SGB injections significantly improved their anxiety levels, as measured by the GAD-7 score, a tool commonly used to measure the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. Also, their therapeutic benefit lasted at least one month after the injection.
In addition, studies have shown that injections on both sides of the stellate duct nerve are more effective than injections on only one side. This approach has shown great promise in anxiety disorders, including phobias, panic attacks, and social anxiety.
Benefits of Stellate Ganglion Block for Anxiety
Reduction in anxiety symptoms
Clinical studies indicate that SGB can be useful in reducing physiological and psychological symptoms of anxiety.
Improved quality of life
SGB can significantly improve a patient's overall well-being and ability to operate in daily life by reducing anxiety symptoms.
Quick and minimally invasive procedure
SGB is a fast, non-surgical technique that reduces patients' discomfort and healing time.
Potential long-term effectiveness
While more research is needed, several studies show that the benefits of SGB can last for a long time.
Who Can Benefit from SGB for Anxiety?
It benefits all patients dealing with physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of anxiety. However, the following are some risky conditions to be discussed with the doctor first:
Myocardial infarction
Glaucoma
Emphysema
Cardiac conduction block
If you have failed other treatments, Stellate Ganglion Block for anxiety is an excellent option that delivers fast and effective results.
Our Approach at Klarity Clinic
Personalized patient care
Klarity Clinic believes in serving you with satisfaction. That's why we offer customized care plans for you so that you not only get mental relief but an overall boost to your mental health.
Experienced medical professionals specializing in anxiety treatment
Our team of experienced medical experts with research and clinical expertise is dedicated to providing the highest quality Stellate Ganglion Block treatment for anxiety. We’re here to support you every step of the way with compassion and science-backed treatments.
State-of-the-art facilities and equipment
To guarantee you receive the best care possible, we employ cutting-edge technology and equipment. Our state-of-the-art facilities are set up to offer a safe and comfortable setting for your treatment.
The SGB Procedure
You’ll lie on your back on a procedure table.
The doctor will clean and disinfect your neck.
The first injection of local anesthesia near your voice box is given. This might sting or burn a little, but it numbs the area to reduce pain.
If you're feeling anxious, they might offer mild sedation to help you relax.
Using ultrasound or X-ray guidance, the doctor will insert a second thin needle to accurately place the stellate ganglion block.
The entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes.
Our team will monitor you for a short period after the procedure to ensure everything is okay, and then you’ll be able to go home.
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
Following the injection, you may experience temporary swelling and inflammation at the injection site. This is typically mild and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or ice. Most patients report that any post-procedure discomfort resolves within a few hours to a day.
Safety and Risks
Common side effects do occur after the procedure, but they usually go away within a few hours and can include:
Bruising or soreness: Slight bruising or soreness, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and by applying ice to the area.
Drooping eyelids or red eyes: For a few hours your eyelids might droop, or your eyes might appear bloodshot.
Watery eyes and stuffy nose: It might impact their nasal cavity, but these symptoms typically subside on their own.
Hoarse voice and lump in throat: You may feel a scratchy voice or a lump in your throat. These sensations typically disappear within a few minutes.
Tingly or warm feeling in arm or hand: You might experience a warm or tingly feeling in your arm or hand, which also goes away within a few hours.
Potential Risks and Complications
Although serious complications are rare, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks, which include infection at the injection site, bleeding from a punctured blood vessel, damage to nearby nerves, collapsed lungs, and any other kind of allergic reaction.
How Does Klarity Clinic Ensure Patient Safety?
By following these steps, we offer the safest Stellate Ganglion Block for anxiety treatment.
Pre-procedural screening: We thoroughly assess your health to ensure it is safe to have the injection. If you have a cold, infection, high blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners, we will address these concerns first.
Experienced medical team: Our skilled physicians and medical staff are highly trained to perform procedures safely.
Imaging guidance: We use advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography or fluoroscopy, to precisely inject and reduce the chance of problems.
Post-procedure monitoring: Following the injection, we strictly monitor you to ensure you are recovering properly before sending you home.
Areas Served
We are located in the following regions with easy-to-reach centers, plenty of parking, and convenient access to public transportation.
Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and all nearby neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No, this treatment works to reset your fight or flight system back to pre-traumatic levels, meaning you should feel balanced once again.
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Those with an active infection or cancer near or on the treatment site (i.e., neck) are not allowed to have this treatment.
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While many people may not have heard of SGB, it has been used for nearly 100 years in the United States to relieve chronic pain and depression. However, regular medicinal use did not occur in the U.S. until after 1998, when it was also used to help German prisoners of war recover from their PTSD in Russian camps during World War II.
Schedule a consultation
If you're tired of allowing anxiety to take over your life, we recommend you contact Klarity Clinic. Our team is available to listen to your concerns and consider all treatment options, including Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for anxiety.
Fill out our online appointment form or contact us today to book your appointment.