What exactly is Ketamine?
Ketamine is approved by the FDA for use in children and adults for anesthesia and as a pain reliever during medical procedures. When administered in a low-dose infusion, ketamine can provide relief from the symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and acute or chronic pain.
Is a ketamine infusion right for me?
Numerous studies show that ketamine can help decrease the symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and acute or chronic pain syndromes. Improvements can happen rather quickly and may last several days and even up to a few months. The majority of our patients find some or even complete relief. While the goal is improvement of symptoms, individual results cannot be guaranteed.
What is a Stellate ganglion block?
A stellate ganglion block is an injection of local anesthetic which temporarily “numbs” the nerves that control your body’s fight-or-flight responses to stressful situations. It is an outpatient procedure performed with ultrasound and usually takes less than 30 minutes. It’s effects can be seen immediately.
How does a Stellate Ganglion block help with PTSD or depression symptoms?
When your sympathetic nervous system isn’t functioning properly the fight- or-flight system which is designed to protect you is STUCK in the “ON” position. A Stellate ganglion block turns this switch “OFF”
• Many people who have survived traumatic life events experience
hyperarousal as a predominant feature of PTSD. This hyperaroused
state causes your sympathetic nervous to become dysfunctional, placing your body’s response to stress into a mode that is inappropriately amplified.
• Hyperarousal symptoms, caused by a stimulated sympathetic nervous system, include irritability, angry outbursts, and poor sleep. The physical symptoms which accompany re-experiencing traumatic events aka flashbacks are caused by the dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system. These symptoms include; a racing heart, sweating, and increased muscle tension
• A constant state of hyperarousal can be debilitating , ruin relationships, and serve as a barrier to effective therapy.
Since 2010, several US military treatment facilities have used Stellate Ganglion Blocks effectively to help thousands of service members suffering from symptoms associated with PTSD.
There have been 13 original studies published since 2008 in medical literature documenting successful treatment of PTSD symptoms using this procedure. In November 2019, a very well done study was published in JAMA Psychiatry proving that a Stellate Ganglion Block was TWICE as effective as a (placebo) procedure. This is considered Level 1 or “gold standard” evidence supporting the use of a Stellate Ganglion Block in the treatment of PTSD.
Our view as well as other practitioners is that the Stellate Ganglion Block should be incorporated into standard PTSD care.
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