Washington Interventional Psychiatry (WIP) in Washington, DC provides advanced interventional treatments for individuals with treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Our clinic serves patients from across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (the DMV region) who are seeking specialized care for complex psychiatric symptoms.
In addition to therapies such as ketamine and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), our practice offers Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), a procedure that has shown promise in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms.
SGB targets the sympathetic nervous system and may help reduce the persistent “fight-or-flight” activation that many patients with PTSD experience. At Washington Interventional Psychiatry, SGB is offered as part of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and treatment plan, allowing the procedure to be integrated thoughtfully into each patient’s broader mental health care.
SGB is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that involves injecting a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion, a cluster of nerves located in the neck. This procedure aims to temporarily block nerve signals in the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response, and can help reduce symptoms associated with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes, and is performed by an anesthesiologist in collaboration with WIP. You will lie on your back with your head slightly elevated. The doctor will locate the stellate ganglion using ultrasound guidance and inject a local anesthetic around the ganglion. You may feel a warm sensation or slight pressure during the injection, but most patients experience minimal discomfort due to the use of local anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will inject one side of the neck; if only partially effective, a second block can be performed on the opposite side on a different day.
Post-traumatic stress disorder often involves persistent activation of the sympathetic nervous system, sometimes described as the body being stuck in a chronic “fight-or-flight” state. This can lead to symptoms such as hypervigilance, sleep disruption, irritability, and heightened startle responses.
The stellate ganglion is a bundle of nerves located in the neck that plays an important role in regulating sympathetic nervous system activity. During a stellate ganglion block procedure, a local anesthetic is injected near this nerve cluster under imaging guidance.
For some patients with PTSD, temporarily blocking these nerves may help reduce excessive sympathetic activation, allowing the nervous system to reset to a calmer baseline. This may lead to improvements in symptoms such as anxiety, hyperarousal, sleep disturbance, and emotional reactivity.
Although SGB was originally developed for pain conditions, it has increasingly been studied as a potential treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms, particularly in military and veteran populations.
A stellate ganglion block is typically performed on one side of the neck (unilateral) during the initial procedure. This approach targets the sympathetic nerve on that side, which can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and PTSD by reducing the “fight or flight” response.
If a unilateral block provides only partial or no relief, a second procedure may be performed on the opposite side (bilateral) to achieve a more comprehensive effect. Bilateral treatment is approached cautiously to minimize the risk of side effects.
Unilateral SGB is often sufficient for many patients, but bilateral treatment may provide enhanced results for those who need additional relief. At WIP, we partner with experienced anesthesiologists to ensure precise and safe administration while tailoring the approach to each patient’s needs.
SGB may cause temporary side effects like hoarseness, drooping eyelid, and flushing of the face. Serious complications are rare but may include bleeding, infection, and nerve injury.
SGB may be an option if you have PTSD or treatment-resistant anxiety, tried many medications and/or therapies with no success, or have had intolerable side effects to medications. Many people consider SGB when trying to improve anxiety without or trying to cut down on medications like xanax, ativan or klonopin.
The cost of a Stellate Ganglion Block is $1,000 per treatment (which is unilateral). This fee includes the procedure, imaging guidance, and comprehensive care coordination.
At Washington Interventional Psychiatry, we take a unique approach to Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) by combining precise medical procedures with the expertise of psychiatric oversight. Our partnership with skilled anesthesiologists ensures that the procedure is performed with the highest standard of care. Our psychiatrists will monitor the effectiveness of the procedure and integrate the results into your overall mental health treatment plan.
Our dual approach—precise ultrasound execution by anesthesiologists and strategic oversight by psychiatrists—makes WIP the right choice for patients seeking effective and complete relief from PTSD and anxiety symptoms.
Take control of your recovery with the support of our experienced team. Contact us today to find out how SGB can be integrated into your personalized treatment plan.
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