Sharing some thoughts about the science around this technique and the relevance to long Covid.
What is Stellate Ganglion Block?
The stellate ganglion is a set of nerves located at the last two vertebrae of the neck which supply the face and arm. Trauma, injury or infection to these nerves can cause pain. A stellate ganglion block is an injection containing local anesthesia and a steroid, which blocks pain signals from reaching the brain. The injection can be used for the following:
To manage pain in your neck, head, arm or chest due to nerve injury, infection or angina (reduced blood flow to heart muscles)
To reduce sweating in the head, face, arms and hands
To diagnose the cause of pain
More information from Shawn Zardouz M.D. >
What is the purpose in Long Covid?
Aberrant network adaptation to sympathetic/parasympathetic imbalance is expected to produce long-standing dysautonomia. Cervical sympathetic chain activity can be blocked with local anesthetic, allowing the regional autonomic nervous system to “reboot.”
Liu, Luke D., and Deborah L. Duricka. "Stellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series." Journal of Neuroimmunology 362 (2022): 577784.
In the image from the paper below, note that there were multiple symptoms present (dark blue line) prior to the Covid infection.
Another interesting observation is that taste and smell abnormalities improved within a short period of time. Suggests that overactivation of taste and smell receptors can also overwhelm the sympathetic system in the region.
Rousmans, S., et al. "Autonomic nervous system responses associated with primary tastes." Chemical senses 25.6 (2000): 709-718.
Stellate Ganglion Block for Long Covid