⚡ Quick Summary: What is SGB?
If you are living in a constant state of “high alert” due to past trauma, here is the 30-second summary:
- What it is: A 15-minute medical procedure that involves a precise injection into a nerve bundle in the neck.
- How it works: It temporarily “turns off” the nerves responsible for your “fight or flight” response, allowing your brain to reset.
- The “Volume Knob” Analogy: Trauma can leave your body’s alarm system stuck on “Level 10.” SGB acts like a hand reaching in and turning that volume knob back down to a “2” or “3” so you can finally breathe again.
- The Pioneer: ROSM is proud to feature Dr. Sean Mulvaney, a world-renowned pioneer who helped develop this technique to treat thousands of service members and trauma survivors.
When Your Body Refuses to “Turn Off”
Trauma, whether from combat, an accident, or childhood neglect, changes the way your brain talks to your body. It leaves your sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” response) stuck in the ON position.
This leads to the physical symptoms of trauma that are so hard to live with:
- Constant anxiety or a feeling of “doom.”
- Being easily startled or “jumpy.”
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares.
- Irritability and a “short fuse.”
Dr. Sean Mulvaney has spent his career serving those who serve. His work bringing SGB to veterans and first responders has made him one of the most trusted names in trauma recovery.
The Science of the “Physical Reset”
The Stellate Ganglion is a bundle of nerves in your neck that acts like a two-way highway between your brain’s fear center and the rest of your body.
By precisely injecting a long-acting numbing medicine around this nerve bundle, we essentially “reboot” that highway. This interruption allows the “fight or flight” center of your brain to calm down, often providing relief from physical anxiety symptoms in as little as 30 minutes.
The ROSM Standard: Pioneering Compassion
At ROSM, we don’t just “offer” SGB; we are home to the experts who helped put it on the map.
- The Mulvaney Legacy: Dr. Sean Mulvaney began using SGB during his military career to help soldiers. He is a leading authority on using this procedure for trauma and has successfully treated thousands of people.
- Ultrasound Precision: Because these nerves sit near vital structures in the neck, precision is non-negotiable. We use high-definition ultrasound to watch the needle in real-time, ensuring the medicine lands exactly where it needs to go for maximum safety and effect.
- A Holistic Path: We believe SGB is a powerful tool, but it works best when combined with therapy and a strong support system. We are here to provide the physical reset so you can do the emotional work of healing.
Dr. Mulvaney demonstrates the ultrasound-guided precision that keeps every SGB injection safe. Nothing is placed blind; our physicians watch the needle in real time from start to finish.
The Journey: What to Expect
- Step 1, The Procedure: The injection takes less than 15 minutes. It is performed in our office while you are comfortably positioned.
- Step 2, The Sensation: You may feel a brief “fullness” in your neck. Shortly after, you may notice a temporary drooping of your eyelid or a warm sensation in your arm, which is a normal sign that the block is working!
- Step 3, The Relief: Many patients feel a “wave of calm” within 30 minutes of the procedure.
- Step 4, The Next Steps: While the numbing medicine wears off in a few hours, the “reset” effect on the nervous system can last for months or longer.
A note on cost: Insurance coverage for SGB varies depending on your plan and whether it is being used for pain management or for trauma and PTSD-related symptoms. Coverage tends to be more consistent for pain-management use than for trauma-related use, which some plans still classify as off-label. Our team can walk you through what to expect for your specific situation during a consultation.
If You Need Help Now
If you are currently having suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help immediately. You are not alone.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
You don’t have to just “live with” the pain or wait for it to get worse. Let’s see if a physical reset can be the first step in your recovery.
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