Stellate Ganglion Block Los Angeles
Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block Serving Los Angeles
Dr. Karima Hirani, MD performs an ultrasound-guided nerve block in Santa Monica for selected pain and autonomic nervous system concerns, including patients seeking care for PTSD- and anxiety-related symptoms.
What Is a Stellate Ganglion Block?
The stellate ganglion is a group of sympathetic nerves in the neck involved in the body’s fight-or-flight response and in some pain pathways.
A Stellate Ganglion Block, or SGB, places local anesthetic near this nerve cluster. Dr. Hirani uses ultrasound guidance to improve precision and to confirm the injection area during the procedure.
SGB is established in pain medicine for selected sympathetically mediated pain conditions and is also being studied and used as an adjunctive option for some PTSD, anxiety, and autonomic symptoms.
Potential Benefits of Stellate Ganglion Block
May reduce sympathetic nervous system overactivity
- May support selected patients with PTSD- or anxiety-related hyperarousal
- May help certain sympathetically maintained pain conditions
- May support sleep and autonomic regulation in selected patients
- Can be performed as a focused, image-guided outpatient procedure
- Response varies, so follow-up is used to assess benefit and next steps
When Stellate Ganglion Block May Be Considered
Dr. Hirani reviews the diagnosis, symptom pattern, medical history, and treatment goals before recommending SGB.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and sympathetically maintained pain
- Selected chronic pain patterns involving sympathetic nerve activity
- PTSD-related hyperarousal when SGB is being considered as an adjunctive treatment
- Anxiety or autonomic overactivity in carefully selected patients
- Other autonomic or pain concerns when clinically appropriate
SGB is not a replacement for established mental health treatment. For PTSD or anxiety, it may be considered alongside appropriate medical and psychological care.
SGB is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but for patients suffering from trauma-related disorders, anxiety, chronic fatigue, or unexplained nervous system dysfunction, it can offer profound and sometimes life-changing relief.
Before recommending SGB, we perform a full clinical evaluation to assess your nervous system, medical history, and goals for treatment.
How an Ultrasound-Guided SGB Is Performed
- Step 1: Dr. Hirani reviews your medical history, medications, symptoms, and procedure suitability.
- Step 2: You lie on your back with the neck positioned for the procedure.
- Step 3: Ultrasound guidance is used to identify the target area and nearby structures.
- Step 4: A small amount of local anesthetic is placed near the stellate ganglion.
- Step 5: You are observed after the procedure and the response is reviewed before any further treatment is considered.
Stellate Ganglion Block FAQs
What is a Stellate Ganglion Block?
SGB is an injection of local anesthetic near a group of sympathetic nerves in the neck called the stellate ganglion.
Is Dr. Hirani's SGB performed with ultrasound guidance?
Yes. Dr. Hirani uses ultrasound guidance to identify the target area and nearby structures during the nerve block.
Is SGB an established treatment for PTSD?
SGB has been studied as an adjunctive option for PTSD symptoms, but evidence is still developing and it does not replace established trauma-focused therapy or other recommended care.
Does Dr. Hirani provide SGB for Los Angeles patients?
Yes. The procedure is provided at her Santa Monica clinic for appropriate patients from Los Angeles and nearby communities.
For Consultations
(310) 559-6634
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