Stellate ganglion blocks in Portland: the 15-minute injection that helps a stuck nervous system reset
A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an ultrasound-guided injection that calms an overactive fight-or-flight response. It's being used to help people with PTSD, chronic anxiety, long COVID, and certain chronic pain conditions — right here in Portland, Oregon.
What it is
What is a stellate ganglion block?
The stellate ganglion is a bundle of sympathetic nerves in the neck that helps control the body's fight-or-flight response. After severe or prolonged stress — combat, trauma, chronic illness — that response can get stuck in the "on" position, leaving the body in survival mode long after the danger has passed.
An SGB uses a precise, ultrasound-guided injection of local anesthetic to temporarily quiet those nerves. For many patients, that pause gives the nervous system a chance to re-regulate — like rebooting a frozen computer.
The procedure itself typically takes about 15 minutes. NW Regen lists it for post-traumatic stress (PTSD and PTSI), trauma-related anxiety, panic attacks and depression, traumatic brain injury and post-concussive symptoms, and long COVID symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and dysautonomia.
NW Regen's stellate ganglion block program in Portland performs dual-sympathetic-reset SGBs under ultrasound guidance, and its clinicians have written extensively about the procedure.
The process
What to expect
Consultation
A provider reviews your history and symptoms to confirm an SGB is appropriate for you.
The injection
Guided by ultrasound, a small dose of local anesthetic is placed near the stellate ganglion. Most visits take under an hour.
The reset
Many patients notice a shift within hours to days — better sleep, lower baseline anxiety, a quieter body. Follow-up care tracks your response.
Who it helps
Conditions where SGB is being used
- PTSD & PTSIPost-traumatic stress from combat, first-responder work, accidents, or personal trauma.
- Chronic anxietyWhen the body's alarm system won't turn off, even with therapy and medication.
- Long COVIDNW Regen's long COVID page lists lingering symptoms including fatigue, brain fog and other neurocognitive effects, body aches, headache and difficulty sleeping. Evidence is early.
- POTS & dysautonomiaSymptoms tied to a dysregulated autonomic nervous system.
- Certain chronic painPain conditions with a sympathetic nervous system component.
- Hot flashesSGB has been studied for severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Common questions
SGB FAQs
Does a stellate ganglion block hurt?
Most patients describe brief pressure or a pinch. The injection is quick and performed with local anesthetic under ultrasound guidance for precision.
How long do the effects last?
It varies. Some people experience durable relief after one or two treatments; others benefit from periodic repeat blocks. Your provider will discuss what response pattern to expect.
Is SGB safe?
It is described as a very safe procedure with few side effects, provided it is performed by a qualified practitioner using proper ultrasound image guidance. A drooping eyelid, a constricted pupil, the appearance of a sunken eye, a red-looking eye, a stuffy nose, no sweating on that side of the face and warmer skin there are expected signs that the block took effect — Horner's syndrome — and they fade roughly 45 minutes to 4 hours after the injection. Other temporary effects include hoarseness or a scratchy voice, a lump-in-the-throat sensation, mild trouble swallowing, and soreness at the injection site; these are usually mild and settle within a few days. Serious complications are rare: infection, bleeding and nerve damage. Weighing those against the likely benefit with a qualified provider is the step that should come before consent.
Who performs SGB in Portland?
Stellate ganglion blocks in Portland are performed at NW Regen under ultrasound guidance, including the dual-sympathetic-reset protocol. Their clinical team has published extensively on the treatment.
From the library
August 24, 2026
Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR): What It Is and Who It Helps
Read the excerpt →
June 23, 2025
Reset the System: How SGBs Are Helping PTSD Survivors and Patients with Chronic Pain Find Relief
Read the excerpt →
July 11, 2022
The Top Five Questions about Stellate Ganglion Blocks
Read the excerpt →
May 25, 2026
SGB for Chronic Pain: When the Nervous System Is Part of Pain
Read the excerpt →Ready to learn if an SGB could help you?
Talk with a Portland provider who performs stellate ganglion blocks every week and can tell you honestly whether you're a good candidate.
Schedule an SGB consultation at NW Regen