A brief introduction to stellate ganglion block

  In recent years, stellate ganglion block therapy has been increasingly used in pain clinics, accounting for almost half of all nerve block treatments in pain clinics.  Previously, it was thought that stellate ganglion blocks were limited to the head, face, neck, upper extremities, trachea, lungs, heart, anterior chest, and back of the body.  However, studies have now shown that stellate ganglion blocks are effective not only for diseases within their innervation, but also for systemic autonomic, endocrine and immune system diseases, thus significantly expanding their therapeutic range to almost the entire body.  Firstly, stellate ganglion block can maintain normal physiological function and is effective in the treatment of diseases with opposite symptoms, such as primary hypertension and hypotension, hyperhidrosis and anhidrosis, chronic constipation and diarrhea, and hyper- or hypothyroidism.  Secondly, it is effective in autonomic nervous system dysfunction and endocrine disorders (e.g., dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome). Other indications for stellate ganglion block include: myasthenia gravis, phantom limb pain, diabetes, pruritus, glaucoma, allergic colitis, gastritis, gastric ulcer, rhinitis, impotence, urinary incontinence, and dozens of other diseases.