Stellate Ganglion Blocks Specialist Q&A

Stellate ganglion blocks can offer pain relief that last for several weeks in many patients, but the total timeline for which the results can be enjoyed varies quite a bit from patient to patient. It is common for patients to need multiple injections of the SGB in order to have longer-lasting pain relief, but the total amount of injections that they will need each time differs quite a bit, ranging anywhere from 2 to 10 injections required. Many patients will also find that the relief from pain will last a bit longer each time they receive treatment, so the first treatment will often offer the shortest lasting results. For longer-term pain relief, many physicians will recommend that patients receive another block every 1 to 2 weeks and after a series of blocks, the pain relief will be much longer-lasting.

Stellate ganglion block treatments are considered minimally invasive and safe, coming with a few risks that are rare. However, the injections are administered in a riskier area in order to actually provide the noted benefits, so they should be administered with the use of ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance to provide accurate imaging to avoid the syringes from hitting anywhere that they aren’t supposed to touch. An experienced and qualified physician will minimize any side effects or more serious risks as much as possible, making this a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified professional. Some common but temporary side effects include:

– Nasal stuffiness
– Difficulty swallowing
– Watery eyes
– Drooping eyelids
– Bruising or soreness where the SGB was injected
– Bloodshot eyes
– Tingling or warmth in the hands or arms
– Hoarse voice

Other very rare but more severe side effects include:

– Bleeding due to vascular puncturing
– Infection
– Injury to the thyroid
– Nerve damage

The cost for one stellate ganglion block treatment is typically around $2,000 and includes two injections. However, this total cost per treatment varies quite a bit all over the country, with contributing factors to the price being the expertise of the provider, the reason for which the SGB injections are being administered, as well as the location of the clinic. The total cost of treatment can range from $1,000 to $4,000 for pain relief, and anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 total for treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder through stellate ganglion block injections. For a more accurate total cost estimate of your stellate ganglion block treatment, please contact our team at Global Neuro & Spine Institute today to schedule a consultation with our specialist.

Not all insurance providers will offer total or even partial coverage for stellate ganglion block injections as it heavily depends on your insurance provider and the reason for which you are receiving the injections. It will be harder to find insurance coverage for SGB blocks for mental health reasons, even though they have proven to be an effective treatment for PTSD, anxiety, or depression, and in use for other biological interventions for mental health. Patients are more likely to have at least partial coverage from their insurance provider for SGB treatments if the injections are to treat chronic pain or physical conditions such as:

– Sympathetic dystrophy
– Migraine headaches
– Shingles
– Pain associated with phantom limb
– Carpal tunnel syndrome
– Tarsal tunnel syndrome
– Long haul Covid-19
– Other circulatory or nerve conditions or injuries

Do you or a loved one suffer from chronic pain or other impairing symptoms? At Global Neuro & Spine Institute, we offer stellate ganglion blocks, a minimally invasive technique that provides focused comfort and the potential of a better, pain-free future. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Malabar Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.