How Can Non-invasive Stellate Ganglion Block Help You?
The stellate ganglion is a collection of sympathetic nerves in the anterior of the lower cervical spine. They supply the face and arms but are not associated with feeling or movement. However, after a trauma or infection, these nerves can become sensitized and cause pain. A normal invasive treatment would be an injection into the site of the ganglion with anesthetic to block the painful stimulus. This can be done for a few additional reasons other than to diminish pain in the face or upper extremities. Because the stellate ganglion controls sympathetic functions, excessive sweating of the face and hands may occur when the ganglion becomes sensitized, as well as the possibility of sympathetic dystrophy and complex regional pain syndrome.
By blocking the stellate ganglion, these secondary conditions can be ceased or diminished altogether. During an invasive ganglion block, pain-relieving medication is injected into the area where the ganglion lies. This is typically going to be done while the patient is sedated using flouroscopy to guide the needle to the correct area. After this procedure the patient can expect the possible side-effects of eye redness, droopy eye, warmth in the face, and/or hoarseness of the voice, although these usually will only last a few hours after the procedure. Pain relief following the procedure may not be immediate and can take some time to become effective.
The good news for any one who may need this kind of treatment is that there is a way to effectively get the same or similar results without the need for an invasive procedure. Non-invasive stellate ganglion blocks can be achieved through the use of neuromodulation. By applying electric stimulation over the area of the ganglion a clinician can stimulate the ganglion to help de-sensitize it and decrease its excitability. In doing so, the same benefits of decreased sympathetic inputs can be achieved. It has been shown to be effective in treating complex regional pain syndrome as well as palmar hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating of the hands and face.
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