What Is A Stellate Ganglion Block?
“At first I thought it was too good to be true, but upon further research I have found that it [stellate ganglion block] is an invaluable tool to be used in conjunction with trauma focused psychotherapy.” – Caroline Fowler
Read about the SGB experiences of our therapist colleague, Caroline Fowler, LCSW-C, from Cedar Counseling & Wellness below (5-minute read).
We welcome collaboration with any of our patients’ behavioral health clinicians to provide personalized care. Healing is a team sport.
Congressman Perry Visits
U.S. Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) came to the clinic with Celebrity Chef Andre Rush in September 2020 to get a more detailed look at SGB. Congressman Perry has introduced legislation (HR 5648 TREAT PTSD Act) to direct the VA to offer SGB as a treatment option to veterans. Chef Rush, a veteran himself, is a strong proponent, having had the SGB reduce his own symptoms of PTSD.
How Medal of Honor Vet Dakota Meyer Treats His PTSD
Joe Rogan Experience
October 2019
PTSD: Treat the Epidemic in Our Ranks
Proceedings (Journal of the Naval Institute Press) November 2019
This is an excellent and very readable source for the background and development of the use of SGB for PTSI.
By Colonel Sean Mulvaney, Medical Corps, U.S. Army (Retired)
SGB injection shows promise for PTSD treatment
CBS Morning Show
November 2019
A groundbreaking new study may have the answer doctors have been looking for to treat post- traumatic stress disorder. According to the report, a drug injection treatment known as SGB reduced symptoms by roughly twice the rate of a placebo. The experimental procedure was profiled by “60 Minutes” and Bill Whitaker in June. Dr. Tara Narula reports
SGB: A possible breakthrough treatment for PTSD
60 Minutes
June 2019
Bill Whitaker and producer Heather Abbott interviewed Dr. Mulvaney and reported on ground-breaking medical research on Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) to help veterans and citizens grappling with PTSD.
Injections Found to Successfully Treat PTSD Symptoms in Veterans
Wall Street Journal
November 2019
By Ben Kesling
A few anesthetic injections to the neck can reduce the effects of PTSD, promising to open up new avenues of treating troops and veterans suffering from combat trauma, a new study shows.
The multimillion-dollar Army-funded effort was the first to test how injections commonly used to treat arm pain and shingles might be used to treat troops with post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers found statistically significant evidence that the injections alleviate the sometimes-debilitating symptoms of past trauma.
“Now we have a strong study with the highest level of evidence that shows that [this treatment] can really help PTSD symptoms,” said Dr. Sean Mulvaney, a study co-investigator who is a former Navy SEAL and retired Army colonel. “With this study we’re showing clear efficacy.” ETC.
Effective New Treatment for PTSD
Proceedings Podcast
November 2019
Dr. Mulvaney talks with Captain Bill Hamblet, USN (retired) and editor of the prestigious Proceedings journal on a podcast which talks about the latest research and history of the treatment of PTSD with SGB.
Can a Single Injection Conquer PTSD?
The Army Wants to Find Out.
Wall Street Journal, June 2017
“Physicians such as Dr. Lynch who advocate use of the stellate ganglion block say it improves the effectiveness of traditional treatments. The conundrum surrounding the new Army study highlights both the injection’s promise and the frustration its advocates feel trying to win it wider acceptance beyond the special-operations troops who are already convinced.”
“Honestly, I feel like I’ve let people down,” said Army Dr. Sean Mulvaney, a former Navy SEAL who practices at Fort Belvoir, Va., and said he had administered more than 600 stellate ganglion injections to PTSD patients. Among most military doctors, he said, “it’s not getting traction.”