In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Valerie Groth, MSW, MA Director of Partnerships at Stella Center and Alameda County Fire Department Captain Jess Anderson about Stellate Ganglion Block injections.
SGB
SGB is an injection of local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a nerve bundle in the neck connected to the fight or flight response system, to help people feel calm again in their bodies. Stella’s definition
What is Has Done for Me
After years of working with a therapist to overcome PTSD, Jess learned about the SGB injection. He speaks candidly about the significate difference in how his body and mind react to every day stimuli. Before the injections, he was always in hypervigilance mode, where even the time off of work had the enjoyment sucked out of him. After the injection, he instantly felt a difference. Jess continues to take steps to live a healthy life with peer support, counseling and exercising. SGB has an 83% one-treatment rate, with only 10% returning for a second treatment, but it should be considered to assist the healing process for trauma.
Treatment
SGB, has been around for a long time in the pain management world. Epidurals are an example of their use. Although FDA-approved in the pain management world, it has yet to be FDA-approved for helping reset your stellate ganglion nerve bundle. Advances have been made with veterans and the use of this treatment so Val is hopeful that though currently, medical insurance does not cover treatment for first responders and their families, that may change in the near future. For information on the first responder program, contact Valerie directly at [email protected]
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