pub pod 6.7 Stellate Ganglion Blockspub pod 6.7 Stellate Ganglion Blocks
CPTSD Recovery: We Are Traumatized Motherfuckers
The episode looks at stellate ganglion blocks as a potential option for PTSD and chronic pain, focusing on central sensitisation and recent research. It shares clinical findings and veteran case reports to outline how this procedure may influence hyperarousal, avoidance and difficult somatic symptoms.
25:43•28 Jul 2026
Stellate Ganglion Blocks, Central Sensitisation and CPTSD Pain Relief
Episode Overview
- Stellate ganglion blocks involve local anaesthetic to a neck nerve cluster tied to fight-or-flight responses and have shown high efficacy in reducing PTSD hyperarousal and avoidance.
- Research suggests SGBs can significantly lower PTSD symptom scores, with stronger effects in people with more severe PTSD and in many military and civilian cases.
- Nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive memories appear less affected, but emotional reactivity and autonomic distress may become more manageable after SGB.
- Central sensitisation links PTSD with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, tension headaches, GI problems and restless leg syndrome via overactive pain pathways.
- Case studies of female veterans show that SGB can drastically reduce pain and PTSD symptoms, sometimes after repeated procedures and alongside other pain treatments.
“Within one day post-SGB, her pain dropped to 0 out of 10 and PTSD symptoms disappeared.”
What resources and support systems are available for sobriety when your nervous system feels like it’s permanently stuck on “attack mode”? This episode of **CPTSD Recovery: We Are Traumatized Motherfuckers** zooms in on stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) and central sensitisation as potential game-changers for trauma folks with stubborn physical symptoms.
You’ll hear a blunt, research-heavy breakdown of what the stellate ganglion actually is – a nerve cluster in the neck tied to the sympathetic fight-or-flight response – and why temporarily numbing it with local anaesthetic might ease PTSD and chronic pain. The host pulls directly from recent medical papers, explaining that SGBs have shown **50–96% efficacy** in reducing PTSD checklist scores, especially for hyperarousal, avoidance, irritability, and emotional outbursts, while nightmares and flashbacks seem less affected.
The episode digs into central sensitisation, where pain pathways become overactive and everyday sensations are interpreted as threats. Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, GI issues and restless leg syndrome are all linked through this shared nervous system problem.
You’ll also get three detailed veteran case stories, including the standout example: *“Within one day post-SGB, her pain dropped to 0 out of 10 and PTSD symptoms disappeared.”* Throughout, the tone stays very TMFR: sweary, nerdy, and community-oriented, aimed at trauma survivors who are exhausted by treatments that don’t touch their symptoms.
There’s no sugar-coating, but there is cautious curiosity about SGBs as a **minimally invasive** option that can work alone or alongside SSRIs and psychotherapy, and may be especially helpful when other therapies have failed. If you’re living with CPTSD plus endless pain or bizarre body symptoms that doctors shrug at, this episode offers research, real cases, and a different way of thinking about your nervous system.
Could understanding central sensitisation and SGBs open up a new path to relief for you or someone you care about?
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