Efficacy of cervical sympathetic blockade in the treatment of primary and secondary PTSD symptoms: A case series.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in individuals following exposure to an overwhelmingly traumatic event. Secondary PTSD is defined as occurring after exposure to a person with primary PTSD, such as an intimate partner. Successful treatment of PTSD symptoms by the use of cervical sympathetic blockade (CSB) has been previously reported to help with symptoms irrespective of PTSD cause.

Utility of Cervical Sympathetic Block in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Multiple Cohorts: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition in the United States. Success rates for evidence-based therapies are inconsistent, and many suffer in silence due to the stigmata associated with seeking traditional mental health care. This has led clinicians to explore new therapeutic options, with cervical sympathetic blockade (CSB), performed at the stellate and/or superior cervical ganglion levels, recently emerging as a promising treatment option.

Possible Reversal of PTSD-Related DNA Methylation by Sympathetic Blockade.

Studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level increase is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk. BDNF may be a "missing-link" that mediates the interaction between genetics, environment, and the sympathetic system. Trauma has been shown to induce DNA methylation that in turn can increase BDNF concentration due to increased gene expression.

Stellate ganglion block improves refractory post-traumatic stress disorder and associated memory dysfunction: a case report and systematic literature review.

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has reached epidemic proportions among U.S. veterans, many of whom also have concurrent alcohol use disorder.

'Hybrid neurostimulator': simultaneous use of spinal cord and peripheral nerve field stimulation to treat low back and leg pain.

Treatment of chronic back and leg pain in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) remains problematic as none of the currently available approaches are universally successful in achieving lasting pain control. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is very effective for controlling radicular pain but rarely provides adequate control of pain in the lower back. Recently, a technique of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) was introduced to control pain in a group of patients for whom back pain dominated the clinical picture.

Use of peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation for the treatment of axial neck pain: a case report.

Objective. To present a novel technique of neuromodulation for the treatment of axial neck pain. Materials and Methods.

A unifying theory linking the prolonged efficacy of the stellate ganglion block for the treatment of chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), hot flashes, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The mechanism of action of the stellate ganglion block (SGB) is still uncertain; however it has been used successfully in treatment of chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for many years. Our new insights in to the mechanism of action of the stellate ganglion block were first reported in 2007 in our publication detailing the control of hot flashes with the use of stellate ganglion blockade. We have demonstrated very significant results in the treatment of hot flashes and our most recent application of this block has been for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Effects of stellate-ganglion block on hot flushes and night awakenings in survivors of breast cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Debilitating hot flushes and sleep dysfunction often affect survivors of breast cancer, most notably in those taking anti-oestrogen medications. Conventional treatments have been only partially effective in diminishing these issues, and some have serious risks. We did a pilot study to investigate our hypothesis that stellate-ganglion block can be a safe and effective treatment for hot flushes and sleep dysfunction in this patient population.