An Advanced Stellate Ganglion Block Protocol
Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR) SGB Treatment for Mental Health
Experience safe and effective relief from anxiety, depression, and PTSD with Stella's advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatment.
How Does DSR SGB Work?
Some individuals experience being stuck in a fight-or-flight response long after triggering traumatic or stressful events. This state can create extra nerve fibers in the brain called sprouting, which produces persistent norepinephrine.
Adrenaline is responsible for an overactive nervous system, causing increased heart rate and alertness, affecting sleep, mood, and memory – all physical symptoms of trauma.
Stella's advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) protocol, the Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR), is two Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) injections of local anesthetic in one side of the neck next to a bundle of sympathetic nerves that regulate the fight-or-flight response.
Similar to turning on and off a computer, this helps restore normal biological function and has the potential to relieve symptoms of trauma, even at its most severe.
What to Expect with DSR SGB Treatment
Each patient's journey to relief through DSR SGB is unique. While the procedure itself takes under 20 minutes, your body's response to the treatment can unfold over several days or weeks.
Immediately After Treatment
Many patients experience noticeable changes within 30 minutes of treatment. Common immediate responses include a deep sense of calm and relaxation, an emotional release and natural tiredness.
The First Two Weeks
Your response to DSR SGB may be immediate or gradual. While some patients notice significant changes right away, others may take up to two weeks to feel the full effects of the treatment. Many people report that friends and family members observe positive changes in their behavior before they fully recognize the shifts themselves.
Long-Term Results
81% of patients experience meaningful symptom relief with DSR SGB. The benefits can last months or years, varying by individual. Some patients may benefit from bilateral treatment based on their symptom severity and response. Your care advocate team will work with you to monitor your progress and determine if additional treatments would be beneficial for your long-term well-being.
SGB procedure
What Is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a procedure in which a local anesthetic is injected next to the stellate ganglion, a collection of the sympathetic nerves located in the neck that helps regulate many involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and sweating.
For years, Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) has been recognized as an FDA-approved pain-relieving treatment. Most recently, Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) has been used off-label to treat symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression because it helps regulate the brain's overactive sympathetic nervous system and "reset" the "fight-or-flight" response to its baseline.
Peterson K, Bourne D, Anderson J, et al. Evidence Brief: Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [Internet]. Washington (DC): Department of Veterans Affairs (US); 2017 Feb. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442253/
Lipov EG, Jacobs R, Springer S, Candido KD, Knezevic NN. Utility of Cervical Sympathetic Block in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Multiple Cohorts: A Retrospective Analysis. Pain Physician. 2022 Jan;25(1):77-85. PMID: 35051147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35051147/
SGB Data and Outcomes
Lipov EG, Jacobs R, Springer S, Candido KD, Knezevic NN. Utility of Cervical Sympathetic Block in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Multiple Cohorts: A Retrospective Analysis. Pain Physician. 2022 Jan;25(1):77-85. PMID: 35051147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35051147/
Lynch JH, Muench P, Okiishi etal. Behavioral health clinicians endorse stellate ganglion block as a valuable intervention in the treatment of trauma-related disorders. Investig Med 2021;0:1-5. doi: 10. 1136/jim-2020-001693
Lynch J, Mulvaney S, Bryan C, Hernandez D. Stellate Ganglion Block Reduces Anxiety Symptoms by Half: A Case Series of 285 Patients. J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(6), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13060958
Pricing For Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR) Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) Treatment
Stella's advanced stellate ganglion block (SGB) protocol for mental health, called the Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR), is not covered by insurance. Treatment availability and pricing varies per location.
California and Illinois:
$1,125: SGB (1 Treatment + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
$2,100: Bilateral SGB (2 Treatments + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
Using insurance? You will not be charged $150 for your follow up appointment. You will only be responsible for your copay:
$975: SGB (1 Treatment + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
$1,950: Bilateral SGB (2 Treatments + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
Massachusetts & Utah:
$1,600: SGB (1 Treatment + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
$3,050: Bilateral SGB (2 Treatments + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
Using insurance? You will not be charged $150 for your follow up appointment. You will only be responsible for your copay:
$1,450: SGB (1 Treatment + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
$2,900: Bilateral SGB (2 Treatments + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
SGB Certified Locations:
$1,600: DSR (1 Treatment + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
$3,050: Bilateral DSR (2 Treatments + 1 Follow Up Appointment)
If you are seeking SGB treatment at one of Stella's certified locations, insurance is not accepted. Intake appointments, SGB treatment and follow up appointments are considered self-pay.
What does it mean to be a Stella-Certified Provider?
Stella provides the highest standard of care possible through a connected care team that puts patients first and provides safe, effective and researched-backed treatments. To increase accessibility, Board Certified providers are personally vetted by Dr. Lipov, trained on Stella's Dual Sympathetic Reset protocol and follows strict medical & safety protocols.
Not covered by insurances and is considered self pay. Financing is available for those who qualify and we accept HSA, FSA and CareCredit. Cash rates are the discounted prices set for services that aren't billed to insurance, and paid in full at the time of service. This is a prompt-pay discount. If not paid at the time of service they may be subject to the full charge amount.
Financing & Payment Options
Finances shouldn't get in the way of you getting the help you need. Stella Mental Health offers financing plans that include 0% down through our partnership with Rectangle Health.
We also accepts multiple forms of payment such as Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, CareCredit and major credit cards.
Your dedicated care team will work with you directly to review coverage, provide super bills, assist with financing applications and more.
*Financing available to those who qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dual Sympathetic Reset
Does Stellate Gangliong Block (SGB) work for trauma and PTSD?
Yes. Stella's Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR), an advanced protocol of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) treatment, has helped thousands of patients find lasting relief from their PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
While studies show that 70% - 75% of SGB treatment participants experienced high rates of rapid clinical improvement in PTSD symptoms, Stella's advanced DSR SGB protocol results in over 81% of clients finding relief from their PTSD symptoms.
In a study of 327 Stella patients who received DSR SGB between December 2016 and February 2020, on average, over 81% reported a 28.9-point decrease in their PCL score. The PTSD Checklist (PCL) is a self-report survey used to measure PTSD symptoms. According to the National Center for PTSD Guidance, a 10-point decrease in PCL score is a clinically significant improvement.
Source: Lipov EG, Jacobs R, Springer S, Candido KD, Knezevic NN. Utility of Cervical Sympathetic Block in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Multiple Cohorts: A Retrospective Analysis. Pain Physician. 2022 Jan;25(1):77-85. PMID: 35051147. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35051147/
Does Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) work for anxiety?
Yes, SGB has proven to relieve a cluster of anxiety symptoms like panic attacks, trouble sleeping, difficulty in concentration, agitation, etc. A 2023 research based on a case series of 285 patients showed that dual-level Stellate Ganglion Block can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms by 50% measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7) scores
How long does it take for DSR SGB to work?
The experience of relief after DSR SGB treatment varies by each patient and injection. Some patients notice benefits within 30 minutes after the treatment, e.g. feeling an overall sense of calm and relaxation. For others, it may take up to 2 weeks to feel the full effect of the treatment.
How long do the positive effects of DSR SGB last?
The duration of the Stellate Ganglion Block's positive effects varies from patient to patient, lasting months or years.
Does DSR SGB have any side effects?
Serious side effects of DSR SGB are extremely rare (1 in 10,000) because we hire seasoned, board certified MDs, train them in our field leading protocol and require that image guidance techniques are used for correct needle placement.
Directly after DSR SGB, you may temporarily experience various symptoms such as a droopy, bloodshot eye, warmth in your face and arm, and congestion. Nearly half of Stella's patients experience hoarseness or trouble swallowing that resolves within 24 hours of the procedure.
Is DSR SGB FDA-approved?
SGB has long been approved by the FDA as a pain management treatment. When used for trauma symptoms, licensed professionals can legally perform SGB as an off-label procedure for symptom relief, based on the body of supporting medical evidence for this application in peer-reviewed literature.
Off-label use of medications and treatments has been a common practice in medicine for many years, and many treatments used off-label have been proven effective in treating various conditions. An estimated 30% of all medications are prescribed off-label, including many cancer drugs, and are frequently used by physicians even though they are not FDA-approved for that particular purpose. For example, aspirin is often prescribed off-label to reduce cardiac risk factors, while Wellbutrin is commonly used off-label to treat ADHD.
Want to know more? Read here: https://stellamentalhealth.com/resources/9458/breaking-stigmas-off-label-medical-treatments-proven-effective-in-treating-mental-health-challenges
How much does DSR SGB cost?
Depending on the treatment plan our Advanced Practice Providers recommend, our DSR SGB treatment starts at $975 for Center's of Excellence and $1,450 for Stella-Certified Locations across the US. Please refer to our Pricing Page for detailed information on pricing.
Is DSR SGB covered by insurance?
DSR SGB treatment is not currently covered by insurance. At this time, insurance companies only cover the SGB when it's used for pain management. All of our patients are considered self-pay. However, to help make treatment affordable, Stella accepts Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), CareCredit and major credit cards as payment options. We also provide interest-free financing plans through Rectangle Health.
How do I determine if DSR SGB is right for me?
Call 908-293-7559 to schedule an intake assessment with our Advanced Practice Provider. Our trauma informed team will create a curated care plan based on your symptoms, health history and experience.
What does SGB stand for?
SGB stands for Stellate Ganglion Block.