If you’re experiencing pain in your upper extremities but have yet to find relief from either conservative methods or unsuccessful pain management treatments, there is thankfully another option. Stellate ganglion blocks have proven to be a successful method for helping patients finally find pain relief, as well as offer greater insight into why they are experiencing pain in the first place. The Texas Pain Care team in the Sugarland, Missouri City and Houston areas is well equipped to help their family of patients finally find pain relief and enjoy their desired quality of life.
A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an injection of medication into the stellate ganglion, which is a collection of nerves located at the front of the neck on either side of the voice box. The bundle of nerves is shaped like an oval but also could look like a star, which is where the name comes from: Stellate (“star”) and Ganglion (“collection”).
These sympathetic nerves that make up the stellate ganglion are responsible for sending sensations, including movement feelings and pain signals from the head, neck, arms and a portion of your upper chest to the brain. They are also in charge of many autonomic nervous system functions, including control of your heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and more.
When these nerves become damaged or compromised, they can cause not only feelings of pain in the head, neck, upper arm and upper chest, but also swelling, poor circulation, limited or lack of mobility, and sweating. A stellate ganglion block can help to relieve these symptoms and provide the patient with relief.
Another benefit of a stellate ganglion block is that it is also a helpful diagnostic tool. If the block provides the patient with increased mobility, reduced swelling, etc. then the provider can diagnose the underlying cause of the issues. Also, if the patient’s pain is relieved after the block, but the additional symptoms are still present, this means that another block could prove useful in another part of the body unrelated to the stellate ganglion.
Due to the fact that the stellate ganglion is part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system, and thus the autonomic nervous system, a block in the stellate ganglion helps providers diagnose sympathetically mediated pain (SMP). This is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that occurs when the sympathetic nervous system sends pain signals to the brain for unknown reasons. Not only is this frustrating for patients, but it’s also a difficult condition to effectively treat for providers.
However, stellate ganglion blocks are helpful for treating and diagnosing several symptoms and conditions that involve circulation problems, nerve injuries, and pain symptoms including:
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A stellate ganglion block procedure is a low risk, out-patient procedure that takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. The patient will lie face up, and the provider might administer sedation if the patient prefers. The neck is then cleaned, and a local anesthetic is given, which numbs the area. The patient is instructed to remain completely still (no coughing, moving, swallowing, etc.) while the provider presses on the neck to determine the location for the injection. The provider can use X-ray guidance, but it is not absolutely necessary. Once the needle is in place, the provider will inject the medication, which is an anesthetic, steroid or both. The medication helps to provide immediate pain relief as well as reduce inflammation.
It is recommended that patients rest for the first 24 hours after treatment. They can expect to experience some temporary discomfort when swallowing, but can use ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications to make themselves more comfortable.
Some patients experience immediate relief of their symptoms and pain. Other patients experience partial relief over the course of days or weeks. If the provider deems the injection was successful, they might recommend a series of blocks (with relief typically lasting longer each block), or additional treatment to address the underlying cause of pain or symptoms.
Results do vary from person to person, in regard to both symptom/pain relief and duration of relief. Overall, it’s a great tool for helping patients to more comfortably enjoy physical therapy without relying on pain medications to relieve their symptoms.
While a stellate ganglion block is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical option, there are risks associated with any medical procedure. Temporary side effects of the procedure could include:
While rare, more serious complications can include:
A stellate ganglion block can help to treat a variety of pain and circulation issues. Not only are they successful in providing patients with the pain relief they’ve been unable to enjoy with other lifestyle changes or treatment methods, they also offer providers an important diagnostic tool for addressing the underlying cause of pain. If you believe you might benefit from a stellate ganglion block and would like more information, please schedule an appointment with the Texas Pain Care team in the Sugarland, Missouri City and Houston areas today. Our team of expertly trained pain management specialists is dedicated to helping all patients live a pain-free life.
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