Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)
If you are living with chronic pain in the face, neck, or arm that significantly affects your quality of life, Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is an advanced interventional procedure that effectively interrupts pain signals transmitted through the sympathetic nervous system.
What is a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?
The stellate ganglion is a cluster of sympathetic nerve tissue located in the lower neck. It governs sensation and autonomic nervous system function in the head, neck, and arms. An SGB procedure involves the precise injection of a local anaesthetic close to this ganglion, effectively "blocking" the pain signals it transmits before they can reach the brain. The result is rapid and often substantial relief from chronic pain in the affected areas.
The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, which allows the physician to visualise the surrounding blood vessels and nerves in real time — ensuring maximum precision and safety throughout.
Who Is SGB Suitable For?
Stellate Ganglion Block is primarily used for chronic pain conditions that have not responded adequately to standard analgesic medication, including:
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — a condition characterised by severe, persistent burning pain, most commonly affecting the arm; often accompanied by skin changes, swelling, and hypersensitivity
- Chronic post-surgical pain — particularly following major surgery involving the shoulder or arm, where pain persists well beyond the expected healing period
- Trauma-related chronic pain — persistent pain that develops after significant injury to the arm or upper body, which has not resolved with conventional treatment
- Trigeminal neuralgia — severe, sudden-onset facial pain caused by dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve, often described as an electric shock or stabbing sensation triggered by ordinary stimuli such as eating, speaking, or touching the face
The Procedure (Approximately 15–20 Minutes)
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia.
General anaesthesia is not required.
- The patient lies on their back to allow clear access to the nerve cluster in the neck
- The physician uses real-time ultrasound imaging to precisely visualise the position of adjacent blood vessels and nerves, ensuring accurate and safe needle placement
- A fine needle is guided to the stellate ganglion, and local anaesthetic is injected to block pain signal transmission
The procedure is well-tolerated and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
What Results Can You Expect?
- Immediate pain relief — most patients experience a noticeable reduction in pain shortly after the procedure is completed
- Sustained relief over time — pain reduction typically continues for several weeks to months; repeat procedures, performed according to the physician's recommendation, tend to produce cumulative and increasingly durable results
- Improved mobility and daily function — as pain decreases, patients find it significantly easier to move freely and return to normal daily activities
Post-Procedure Care and Temporary Side Effects
- After the procedure : Rest on the day of the procedure and avoid strenuous physical activity.
- Temporary side effects — the following are normal physiological responses to the nerve block and typically resolve within a few hours :
- Mild drooping of the eyelid on the treated side (ptosis)
- Reduced sweating on the face
- Slight hoarseness of voice
- Mild difficulty swallowing
- A sensation of warmth in the face
- Minor tenderness or bruising at the injection site - Number of sessions : Some patients achieve their desired outcome after a single procedure. Others benefit from 2–3 sessions to consolidate and maximise the duration of pain relief. Your physician will advise based on your individual response.
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
