Stellate ganglion block (SGB) has been widely used for years as an effective treatment for many kinds of acute and chronic pain. Conditions that effect the upper extremities, neck, head, and orofacial region are anatomical areas that are addressed with SGBs. There has been recent interest in the “off label” use of SGB in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety and smell/taste disorders following COVID-19 infection. The term “off label” is traditionally applied to use of medications that are not FDA approved for its “new use”. The FDA does not “approve” injections. Various injections are learned and ultimately applied to various conditions that the physician, through training and experience, determine to be beneficial to the patient.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma/stress-related disorder than can develop
following a traumatic event. The Veterans Administration has been using SGB for treatment of PTSD for at least 15 years. Studies generally have been inconclusive as to the effectiveness of the procedure. Some studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness and others have shown significant improvement in PTSD symptoms in 70-75% of the patients.
Post-COVID symptoms may affect as many as 5% to 10% of people who have had a COVID infection. The variety of symptoms, attributing symptoms to other causes and differences in how long the symptoms last can make it hard to know exactly how many people have it. Until recently, many treatments have been tried without significant success. A very promising treatment for an abnormality in the sensation of smell/taste is SGB. Like many treatments in medicine, it does not work for everyone, but for the many that it does, it offers a return to normal life.
I am a board certified interventional pain management physician. I have performed countless (1000+) stellate ganglion blocks for painful conditions since 1984. I have decided that I will offer stellate ganglion blocks, if indicated, for both PTSD and all symptoms of abnormal smell/taste. I am excited to offer hope to those affected by these conditions by providing this new treatment for these difficult to treat conditions.