How Many Stellate Ganglion Blocks Do You Need to Find Relief?

If you have chronic pain in your upper body, it’s time to learn if a stellate ganglion block is the solution. Blocking nerve signals in the stellate ganglion can relieve pain in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and chest, including pain caused by conditions that are notoriously difficult to treat.

With extensive experience performing minimally invasive stellate ganglion blocks, our team at Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care in Hobart, LaPorte, Munster, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Indiana, has helped many patients overcome chronic pain for the long run. Here, you’ll learn about the block, the number of injections you may need, and the

Stellate ganglion block explained

A stellate ganglion block is a type of nerve block targeting a specific cluster of nerves (the stellate ganglion) in front of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae in your neck. 

The nerves in the stellate ganglion transmit pain signals from the head, neck, and upper extremities to the brain. 

During the nerve block, we inject anesthesia into or near the stellate ganglion. In some cases, we may also inject steroids to reduce nerve inflammation.

The anesthetic blocks the sympathetic nerve signals, quickly relieving chronic pain and pain caused by several conditions.

A stellate ganglion block may be diagnostic, helping us to identify the source of your pain. The same treatment is also therapeutic, potentially providing long-lasting pain relief. Achieving ongoing pain relief typically requires a series of injections.

How many stellate ganglion blocks might I need?

Everyone responds differently to nerve blocks, so the number you might need depends on your personal response. 

Some people may experience relief for several weeks to months after a single injection. For others, pain relief won’t last as long and they will need a series of injections.

After evaluating your response to the first treatment, we may recommend a series of stellate ganglion blocks administered every one to two weeks. Each block you receive lengthens the period of pain relief.

However, we can’t provide a specific number of additional shots you may need. Some people will only need two, while others may need more.

Conditions treated with a stellate ganglion block 

A few examples of specific conditions treated with a ganglion block include:

• Chronic pain in the upper extremities, neck, and chest
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Cluster and vascular headaches
• Phantom limb pain
• Herpes zoster infection (shingles)
• Postherpetic neuralgia
• Intractable angina
• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

A stellate ganglion block may also relieve mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.

Learn more about stellate ganglion blocks

Our team at Centers for Pain Control & Vein Care has extensive experience performing stellate ganglion blocks.

We conduct a comprehensive exam to determine if you’re a good candidate, explain the procedure, including its risks and benefits, and closely monitor your recovery to assess whether you require a series of injections.

If you need help with pain in your head, neck, shoulders, arms, or chest, schedule an appointment by calling our nearest office or booking online today.