Back in late 2020, when I was near death for most of a year, I had struggled for many months to find access to Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB) as a treatment for Complex PTSD. I had read about this minimally invasive, inexpensive, and effective treatment for PTSD and other sympathetically-driven symptoms. I pursued it so much that Dr. Eugene Lipov called me from his cell phone to answer questions about the possibility of SGB helping to relieve my extreme condition. Dr. Lipov kindly responded to my questions. He said many somatic expressions of trauma have been treated with SGB, and that with my extreme symptoms, he expected a 50% chance of benefit. The call was encouraging, and I went on to find SGB is no miracle cure, but can be a highly effective tool in the Complex PTSD recovery toolbox.
Eugene Lipov, MD, is a pioneer in the use of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. His work has garnered attention for its potential to offer rapid and effective relief from the debilitating symptoms of PTSD. Here’s an overview of his work and its significance:
What is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?
SGB is a medical procedure that involves injecting a local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a collection of nerves located in the neck. These nerves are part of the sympathetic nervous system and play a role in the body’s “fight or flight” response. By anesthetizing these nerves, SGB can reduce sympathetic nervous system activity, which is often overactive in individuals with PTSD and other chronic conditions.
Eugene Lipov’s Work with SGB
Dr. Lipov has been at the forefront of using SGB specifically for the treatment of PTSD, a novel application of a procedure traditionally used for pain management. He posits that PTSD symptoms are, in part, due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system, and that SGB can “reset” this system, reducing hyperarousal and other PTSD symptoms.
Lipov’s research and clinical practice have shown promising results, with many patients experiencing significant reductions in PTSD symptoms shortly after undergoing the procedure. In some cases, relief has been reported within minutes to hours, which is much faster than traditional PTSD treatments like psychotherapy or medication.
Dr. Lipov theorizes that SGB works by modulating the body’s response to stress and trauma, specifically targeting the brain’s fear and anxiety pathways. The injection may reduce levels of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in the stress response, leading to a calming effect on the brain and nervous system.
He has been an advocate for increasing access to SGB as a treatment option for PTSD, particularly for veterans and first responders who are disproportionately affected by the condition. He has worked to raise awareness of the procedure’s potential benefits and to push for its inclusion as a standard treatment option.
Although SGB has shown promise, it is not without controversy. Some experts are cautious, noting that while the procedure can provide rapid symptom relief, it may not address the underlying causes of PTSD. Additionally, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and efficacy of SGB, and the best practices for its use.
SGB and Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
While SGB primarily focuses on the physiological aspects of trauma, it can complement the principles of Interpersonal Neurobiology by potentially stabilizing the nervous system, making individuals more receptive to relational and therapeutic interventions. If the nervous system’s hyperarousal is reduced, patients may be better able to engage in the integrative processes that IPNB emphasizes, such as building healthy relationships, developing self-awareness, and fostering emotional regulation.
Eugene Lipov’s work with SGB represents an innovative approach to treating PTSD, offering hope for rapid relief from symptoms that are often resistant to traditional therapies. While the procedure is promising, it is important to continue research to understand its long-term effects better and explore how it can be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes physiological and psychological approaches.
This post includes content generated by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. The AI-generated content has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and relevance.
