Library of Resources
Videos
60 Minutes feature on CBS: SGB: A possible breakthrough treatment for PTSD (2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2fBe6U7lg
Interview w/ Dr. Mulvaney, a military veteran & a pioneer of SGB for PTSD
https://joywellnesspartners.com/stellate-ganglion-block-san-diego/
Interview w/ a pioneer of SGB for PTSD, Dr. Lipov: SGB: Possible breakthrough treatment for PTSD (2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGQRd1E0P9E
A firefighter’s story: Patient Testimonial | Firefighter receives SGB for PTSD (2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayTCQBl3vmg
Dakota Meyer’s video to fundraise for SGB (Medal of Honor recipient): SGB TREATMENT FOR VETERANS WITH PTSD (2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7_tnuIwRks
Readings
VA Fact Sheet: Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (2018)
https://www.va.gov/HEALTHPARTNERSHIPS/docs/CCISGBFactSheet.pdf
Overview of SGB for PTSD by The Stellate Institute (Drs. Mulvaney & Lynch):
https://thestellateinstitute.com/stellate-ganglion-block-for-ptsd/
Psych Health Center of Excellence Fact Sheet: Stellate Ganglion Block for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (2017)
Military Times article: New research shows nerve injections are effective for treating PTSD symptoms (2019)
Medscape article: Five-Minute Injection May Offer an Effective Option for PTSD (2019)
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/920970
Overview from Cornell: Stellate Ganglion Block for PTSD
https://cornellpainclinic.com/stellate-ganglion-block-emerging-treatment-for-ptsd/
Overview by Pain Specialists of Southern Oregon: STELLATE GANGLION BLOCK (SGB) TO TREAT POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
https://painspecialists.com/ptsd-treatment/
Overview by Direct Orthopedic Care: SGB for PTSD Relief (2020)
https://www.directorthocare.com/sgb-for-ptsd-relief/
Effort to pass legislation: Treatment that reduces PTSD should be allowed to be used by more veterans: lawmaker (2020)
US Naval Institute article: PTSD: Treat the Epidemic in Our Ranks – New Medical Evidence for Dealing with It Head On (2019)
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2019/november/ptsd-treat-epidemic-our-ranks
Spine Review overview: 6 Points on Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Stellate Ganglion Block (2012)
Orlando Medical News: Easing the Toll of PTSD for Military Veterans
https://www.orlandomedicalnews.com/article/5906/easing-the-toll-of-ptsd-for-military-veterans
Clinical Studies
NIH Study on effectiveness: Evidence Brief: Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)(2017)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442253/
JAMA Psychiatry publication: Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block Treatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms – A Randomized Clinical Trial (2019)
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2753810
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – Military Operational Medicine: Effectiveness and Patient Acceptability of Stellate Ganglion Block for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Active Duty Military Members (2019)
https://cdmrp.army.mil/dmrdp/research_highlights/19walters-olmsted_highlight
Potential Side Effects of SGB
Note:
- When reading about side effects (SE) of SGB, we recommend you look at the total SGB literature – not just SGB for PTSD, as it’s the same procedure – but SGB was around long before its use for PTSD. This gives the medical world a much more robust view of potential SEs.
- Be careful to distinguish potential SEs when the SGB is administered with use of imaging (e.g., ultrasound, x-ray) vs. blindly via the doctor feeling for “landmarks.” The latter is considered more risky.
- There is a difference between SEs (e.g., hoarseness, droopy eyelid) and complications (e.g., erroneous punctures).
PubMed Survey of SEs: Complications and side effects of stellate ganglion blockade. Results of a questionnaire survey (1992)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1570888/
Allied Academies Study of SEs: Complications and success rates of stellate ganglion blockade; blind technique vs. fluoroscopic guidance (2017)
Centers for Pain Control: Ganglion Nerve Block
https://discover-cpc.com/pain-management/patient-education-information/stellate-ganglion-blocks/
Cleveland Clinic: Stellate Ganglion Block
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17507-stellate-ganglion-block