Stellate Ganglion Block for Long COVID & Dysautonomia

Long COVID is a challenging and poorly understood condition that affects up to 10% of those infected with COVID-19. Symptoms vary widely and can be debilitating, affecting multiple organ systems:

• Central Nervous System: fatigue, (such as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS), brain fog, disordered sleep
• Autonomic dysfunction: including POTS and loss of taste and smell
• Cardiac: palpitations and chest pain
• Blood vessels: clotting disorders, strokes
• Endocrine system: diabetes, pancreas injury

These symptoms can potentially last for years. ME/CFS and dysautonomia may be lifelong and may explain why so many people with long COVID are unable to return to work.

The Stellate Ganglion and Long COVID Dysautonomia

The Stellate Ganglion is a bundle of nerves located in the neck that plays a crucial role in regulating your body's "fight-or-flight" response.

Some infections, like COVID-19, can cause the immune system to remain activated beyond the acute infection period. This dysregulated immune system response can then erroneously activate the nervous system to put your body in "fight-flight" mode, as if it is fighting an ongoing infection. This erroneously activated "fight-flight" response in turn triggers the immune system to keep fighting.

We believe this spiral of chronic inflammation leads to the persistence of symptoms and dysautonomia.

The Stellate Ganglion Block can break this vicious cycle at the intersection of the nervous system and immune system.

The Stellate Ganglion Block can break the vicious neuro-inflammatory cycle at the intersection of the nervous system and immune system.

How Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) Can Help Long COVID

The Stellate Ganglion has been "blocked" since 1925 and is used to treat numerous conditions.

When we block the "fight-flight" nerves, we effectively "reset" the sympathetic nervous system. This can "pump the brakes" on the vicious cycle of hyperinflammation apparently caused by the COVID-19 infection.

The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is performed by numbing the Stellate Ganglion with local anesthetic, like lidocaine.

Long COVID and Dysautonomia Symptoms that can be Improved with SGB

Blocking the Stellate Ganglion can provide valuable relief from a hyperinflammatory cycle caused by the COVID-19 infection. Some symptoms that can be improved include:

• Improvements in fatigue (over 75% find improvement)
• Reduced brain fog (80% find improvement)
• Restored sense of taste and smell
• Improved blood flow and reduced inflammation
• Reduced anxiety, irritability, and hypervigilance (PTSD symptoms)
• Improved sleep in stressful situations
• Decreased heart rate‍
• Resetting nerve transmission
• Neuroplasticity via SIRT-1
• Gastrointestinal stress responses
• Restored autonomic nervous system balance
• Enhanced quality of life and resilience

SGB Side Effects and Safety

The Stellate Ganglion Block is performed with ultrasound guidance to maximize the safety of the injection. The majority of patients at Clarus Health tolerate the SGB very well, and 50% don't even ask for sedation (ie to help minimize anxiety). As with all procedures, SGB does carry side effects, but they are typically transient and last less than 8 hours. The risk of complications is very low.

Clarus Health performs Stellate Ganglion Blocks every week, and our doctors have extensive experience with the ultrasound for the safest and most comfortable procedure.

Combining SGB with NAD+

The Stellate Ganglion Block can help reset the nervous system more effectively when combined with other treatments, such as IV NAD+ or IV ketamine therapy. These therapies maximize the "reset" provided by the SGB to promote healing in long COVID and dysautonomia. In particular, symptoms of fatigue and brain fog are improved with these adjunctive modalities.

Is the Stellate Ganglion Block Right for You?

If you're struggling with Long COVID or dysautonomia symptoms, SGB may offer a potential solution. Schedule a free consultation with Clarus Health to discuss your specific needs and determine if SGB is the right treatment option for you.