Anxiety /GAD levels reduced to HALF with stellate ganglion blocks- better results with bilateral,
Lynch, James H., et al. “Stellate Ganglion Block Reduces Anxiety Symptoms by Half: A Case Series of 285 Patients.”
Journal of Personalized Medicine 13.6 (2023): 958.
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/13/6/958
- 34% lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders while higher in women (40%)
- “Only 45% to 65% of patients respond to initial treatment with either psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy”
- stellate ganglion blocks is showing impressive results in PTSD so trial was undertaken for use in anxiety/ GAD
- 128 males; 137 females ages 19 – 81
Block Technique:
“a 2-inch 25-gauge needle, the neck was accessed with the needle in long axis to the ultrasound transducer (“in-plane” approach).
The needle was visualized under real-time ultrasound guidance through the sternocleidomastoid muscle continuing just ventral to the tip of the anterior tubercle of C6 until the needle tip just penetrated the ventral fascia of longus coli, just medial to the longus capitis muscle and dorsal to the common carotid artery.
Slowly over a minute,
seven milliliters of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected in 0.5 mL aliquots (to mitigate the risk associated with potential intravascular injection).
This same technique was then utilized at the C4 level with a volume of two milliliters of the same injectate.
After remaining supine for five minutes, the subject was examined in a seated position by two independent clinicians for the presence of Horner’s syndrome findings, which were then scored (on a six-point scale, which has been previously described) to confirm that the SGB was successful in blocking sympathetic activity on the treated side [
35].].”
If bilateral, the other side was treated over 12 h later
Results:
authors did make point subjects were under therapy
felt GAD is “rooted in the physiologic expression of the sympathetic nervous system, which may be inappropriately elevated in those suffering from anxiety disorders.” – ie. it is not all in their head, half is in the sympathetic nervous system in the neck
Anxiety is beginning to look more like an abnormal physiologic sympathetic nervous system response and potentially treatable. If responses are like PTSD:
New Hope For PTSD – Bilateral Stellate Blocks/Botulinum/Radiofrequency +/- Ketamine
http://painmuse.org/?p=9036
Then repeated shots will be necessary and radiofrequency ablation will give longerlasting results
I excited but blunted by fact will not be available here due to lack of staff. One would most likely have to go to a center like the
The Stellate Institute, 116 Defense Highway, Suite 203, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
https://thestellateinstitute.com/
1-410-505-0530
