Stellate Ganglion Block
A stellate ganglion block is a minimally invasive procedure performed to diagnose and/or treat pain originating in the sympathetic nerves in upper half of the body. It is most often performed to treat pain caused by shingles and complex regional pain syndromes that affect the head, neck, or arms. The procedure is completed by carefully injecting medication into the neck, and it takes an experienced medical professional to properly perform it. At Pain Care, our physicians complete these blocks for people in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia, area who have been negatively impacted by pain.
As part of our mission to help our patients regain life, restore function, and renew hope, Pain Care provides a range of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment options. A stellate ganglion block can be used to rule out potential causes of pain or to provide relief from pain. After a patient lies down, a physician will administer a relaxing intravenous medication. Then, using fluoroscopy or X-ray imaging, the physician can locate the precise area to inject the medications. From there, a local anesthetic is injected, followed by a secondary medication.
Following these injections, a patient may experience some side effects, such as:
- A drooping eye
- Tingling sensations in the upper arm
- Nasal congestion
- Flushing and increased temperature, particularly in the face
- Bruising or achiness at the injection site
Many of our Atlanta area patients experience immediate relief following the administration of a stellate ganglion block, but it can take a few hours to determine if that relief is due to the local anesthetic or if the block itself has worked. If it has, additional blocks may be given as the effects wear off. The timing of those injections can vary based on an individual patient’s needs.
Contact Pain Care today to learn more about stellate ganglion block procedures and our practice as a whole. You can also use our online form to request an appointment at one of our Metro Atlanta area locations.
