Can a Simple Neck Injection Help Treat PTSD in Military Service Members?

What you need to know

• Stellate ganglion block (SGB), a medical procedure involving an injection near the neck, shows promise in treating PTSD symptoms in military service members
• The treatment appears most effective at reducing hyperarousal symptoms like being easily startled, having trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating
• While SGB carries some medical risks, many service members find it more acceptable than traditional talk therapy approaches

Understanding PTSD and Current Treatment Challenges

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects about 6% of the general population, but rates are much higher - up to 20% - among military service members and veterans. The condition develops after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events and can cause severe distress through symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and being constantly on alert for danger.

While effective psychological treatments exist, they don’t always work as well for military personnel as they do for civilians. Many service members face barriers to getting traditional PTSD therapy, including stigma around seeking mental health care, difficulty scheduling weekly hour-long appointments due to military duties, and discomfort with discussing trauma memories.

A Novel Medical Approach: Stellate Ganglion Block

Enter stellate ganglion block (SGB) - a medical procedure that’s gaining attention as an alternative PTSD treatment. During SGB, a doctor injects local anesthetic around a bundle of nerves at the base of the neck called the stellate ganglion. This temporarily “blocks” the nervous system’s fight-or-flight response.

The procedure takes only about 5 minutes (with the entire appointment lasting around 30 minutes), provides rapid symptom relief for many patients, and doesn’t require discussing trauma - making it potentially more feasible and acceptable for busy service members who may be hesitant about traditional therapy.

What the Research Shows

In a study of 113 military service members with PTSD, researchers found that SGB was particularly effective at reducing certain types of symptoms:

1. Hyperarousal symptoms showed the biggest improvement, especially:

• Being overly watchful and on guard
• Problems with concentration
• Sleep difficulties

2. Trauma-related physical and emotional reactions also decreased, including:

• Physical responses to trauma reminders (like racing heart)
• Emotional responses when reminded of trauma
• Intrusive memories

Medical Considerations and Safety

While SGB shows promise, it’s important to understand it’s a medical procedure that carries some risks. Most side effects are minor and temporary, like:

• Hoarseness
• Coughing
• Light-headedness

However, more serious complications are possible but rare, which is why SGB should only be performed by qualified medical professionals. Despite these risks, studies show that military service members generally tolerate the procedure well and report high satisfaction rates.

What This Means for You

If you’re a service member with PTSD or know someone who is, SGB might be worth discussing with healthcare providers, especially if:

• Traditional therapy hasn’t worked well
• Military duties make it hard to attend regular therapy sessions
• There’s hesitation about discussing trauma
• Quick symptom relief is desired

SGB could be used either as a standalone treatment or possibly combined with traditional therapy to make it more manageable. However, it’s essential to have a thorough medical evaluation and discuss all risks and benefits with qualified healthcare providers.

Conclusions

• SGB represents a promising new option in the PTSD treatment toolkit, particularly for military personnel who may face barriers to traditional therapy
• The procedure appears most effective at reducing hyperarousal symptoms and physical reactions to trauma memories
• While generally well-tolerated, SGB should be performed only by qualified medical professionals after careful evaluation of risks and benefits