We’re pleased to announce that Pain Physicians of Wisconsin is now Pro Spine Pain.
We’re pleased to announce that Pain Physicians of Wisconsin is now Pro Spine Pain.
Chronic pain can be an overwhelming experience, affecting every facet of life. It hinders day-to-day activities, decreases productivity, and even deteriorates mental well-being. Fortunately, medical advancements continue to bring forward effective and innovative treatments. One such treatment gaining recognition for its efficacy is the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB). This procedure has shown great promise in relieving chronic pain, particularly when traditional methods have been unsuccessful.
The Stellate Ganglion is a collection of nerves (sympathetic nerves) located in the front of our neck, on either side of the voice box. This ganglion plays a significant role in controlling the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. A Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a local anaesthetic to block these nerves’ activity. The purpose of the block is to alleviate chronic pain and decrease inflammation in various parts of the body.
SGB works by interrupting the transmission of pain signals from the peripheral parts of the body to the brain. When the anaesthetic is injected into the stellate ganglion, it ‘blocks’ these nerves and hinders pain signal transmission. This results in immediate pain relief, reduced inflammation, and increased blood flow to the affected areas.
The Stellate Ganglion Block is highly effective in treating several chronic pain conditions. These include:
In addition to these, emerging research suggests that SGB may also be effective in treating certain mental health conditions like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression.
SGB is typically an outpatient procedure, performed under fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or ultrasound guidance. This allows the healthcare provider to accurately place the needle.
The patient is made comfortable with a mild sedative. After sterilizing the injection area, a local anaesthetic is applied to numb the skin. A thin needle is then inserted through the numbed skin and directed towards the stellate ganglion using imaging guidance. Once the needle is properly positioned, the anaesthetic is slowly injected.
The procedure itself usually takes 15–30 minutes. Patients may experience a temporary hoarse voice, droopy eyelid, or red eye on the side of the block, which typically resolves in a few hours.
Stellate Ganglion Block is a safe and efficient procedure that can provide significant pain relief for many patients, where other treatments have failed. Some patients report improvement in pain immediately after the procedure. It can significantly improve quality of life, enabling a return to normal activities and overall wellness.
However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, albeit minimal. These can include bleeding, infection, allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, or accidental puncture of the lung, but these complications are infrequent.
Stellate Ganglion Block represents a hopeful avenue for chronic pain sufferers, offering a novel approach to pain management. It’s important to remember that every patient is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Therefore, a detailed discussion with a healthcare professional is recommended to determine if SGB is the right choice for you. With advancements like SGB, there is growing hope that we can not only manage but also significantly alleviate chronic pain, leading the way to better health and enhanced quality of life.
