When patients visit Meeting Point Health dealing with chronic stress, trauma, or long-standing pain, they are often looking for targeted options to help restore balance to their lives. One treatment that frequently comes up in these conversations is the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB).

Because SGB is a specialized procedure, patients naturally have questions before deciding if it is the right path for them. Below are the top questions we hear at our clinic.

1. What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?

A Stellate Ganglion Block is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure where a local anesthetic is injected around a specific cluster of nerves in the neck called the stellate ganglion. These nerves form a key hub for the sympathetic nervous system, which controls your body’s involuntary stress responses. By temporarily numbing these nerves, SGB interrupts chronic high-alert signaling, allowing the nervous system an opportunity to recalibrate. 

2. What conditions is a Stellate Ganglion Block indicated for?

Modern clinical practice and research support using SGB to treat a variety of complex, treatment-resistant conditions. At Meeting Point Health, SGB is commonly indicated for:

  • Mental Health & Trauma: It is highly effective for reducing the hyperarousal, anxiety, intrusive memories, and persistent irritability associated with PTSD and other psychiatric disorders.
  • Post-Viral Syndromes: SGB helps address the debilitating fatigue and “brain fog” associated with Long-COVID and ME/CFS by improving cerebral blood flow and dampening sympathetic overdrive.
  • Sensory Disturbances: It is indicated for patients experiencing anosmia (loss of smell) following viral infections.
  • Chronic Pain & Circulatory Disorders: SGB has long been a foundational tool for managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Raynaud’s phenomenon, and phantom limb pain.
  • Hormonal Symptoms: It is used to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of moderate to severe hot flashes, particularly for breast cancer survivors who cannot use hormone replacement therapy.
3. Is a Stellate Ganglion Block dangerous?

SGB is considered a safe and routinely performed procedure, particularly when utilizing modern medical technology. At Meeting Point Health, Dr. Stephen Matta performs every SGB using high-definition ultrasound guidance. This allows him to see the exact fine needle placement and surrounding blood vessels in real-time, which minimizes risk.

Most side effects are temporary and self-resolving within a few hours. These can include a droopy or red eye on the side of the injection, a hoarse voice, or a sensation of a lump in the throat. In the medical field, these temporary symptoms are actually viewed as positive signs that the anesthetic has successfully reached the intended nerve cluster.

4. Is the procedure painful?

Most patients tolerate the procedure exceptionally well and describe the injection itself as a quick, temporary stinging feeling. We understand that injections in the neck can cause anxiety, which is why we prioritize a calm environment and offer options to ensure you feel comfortable and at ease throughout the brief process. To learn more about our approach to SGB, speak with our team today.

5. What type of anesthetic is used in the procedure?

At Meeting Point Health, we utilize procaine for Stellate Ganglion Blocks. Procaine is a well-established local anesthetic that works by temporarily blocking sodium channels in cell membranes.

Nerve signals rely on the movement of sodium ions across these channels to transmit pain and stress messages to the brain. By blocking these channels, procaine stabilizes the electrical activity of the overactive nerves within the stellate ganglion. This temporary pause halts the high-voltage signaling loop, giving the nervous system an opportunity to reset and return to a stable baseline.

6. How long does the procedure take, and what is the recovery?

The actual injection takes only a few minutes. However, you should plan to be at our office for approximately 1 to 2 hours total to account for preparation, ultrasound imaging, and a standard post-procedure observation period. Because of the temporary side effects like a droopy eyelid or mild hoarseness, we may have you sit in our IV lounge where the nurses can monitor you. Most patients are cleared to return to their normal daily activities the following morning.

7. How many treatments will I need, and how long does it last?

The duration of relief varies depending on the underlying condition being treated. Some patients experience a significant, long-lasting shift after just one injection. For more complex or deep-seated conditions, such as severe PTSD, Long-COVID fatigue, or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a series of 2 to 4 treatments may be recommended to achieve sustained physiological stability.

8. Who should not get a Stellate Ganglion Block?

While SGB is highly effective for many individuals, it is not suitable for everyone. Contraindications include:

  • An active infection, particularly near the injection site in the neck.
  • A recent heart attack (myocardial infarction).
  • Certain severe bleeding disorders or taking high-dose blood thinners that cannot be safely paused.
  • Advanced glaucoma, due to temporary changes in eye pressure.
  • Pregnancy, unless strictly cleared and coordinated with your OB-GYN.

Take the Next Step

If you are struggling with persistent symptoms that have not responded to traditional treatments, a Stellate Ganglion Block may be a viable option to help you regain equilibrium. Schedule a discovery call with Meeting Point Health today to discuss whether SGB aligns with your healthcare goals.

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Written by Amanda Bates, RN and medically reviewed by Dr. Stephen Matta.