DSGB, short for dual stellate ganglion block (also written dual sympathetic ganglion block), places a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion on both sides of the neck under ultrasound, one side per visit on two consecutive days. It is being studied for the overactive fight-or-flight response behind PTSD. Response varies from person to person, and it is best used as part of a broader trauma care plan.
An injection-based procedure in the neck is being studied as an option for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder. It is used alongside therapy and other care, and it does not replace them.
More than 7 million adults in the United States live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although it is often linked with military combat, PTSD can affect anyone exposed to a traumatic event, including a serious accident, physical or sexual abuse, a natural disaster, or other deeply stressful experiences. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD can cause flashbacks, hyperarousal, avoidance, and mood changes that disrupt mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
At AgeRejuvenation we look for the best scientifically grounded treatments that support whole-body health. DSGB, a dual stellate ganglion block, is an evolving approach for PTSD. It is used alongside the therapy and medication you already have, and response varies from person to person.
What Is Dual Sympathetic Ganglion Block (DSGB) and How Does It Work?
DSGB stands for dual stellate ganglion block. You may also see it written as dual sympathetic ganglion block, because the stellate ganglion is a bundle of sympathetic nerves in the front of the neck, with one on each side. Under real-time ultrasound, a physician places a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion on both sides of the neck, one side per visit on two consecutive days.
These nerves help run the body's fight-or-flight response, which can stay switched on in people with PTSD. The anesthetic temporarily blocks that signal, which gives the nervous system a chance to settle out of survival mode. Researchers think this may lower stress signaling in PTSD, and the evidence is mixed. A single stellate ganglion block (SGB) treats one side of the neck, and a dual block treats both sides. You can learn more about this approach through our in-office nervous system reset injection for trauma symptoms.
Clinical Evidence: Does DSGB Work for PTSD?
Trauma-focused therapy and medication are established PTSD treatments, but they do not help everyone, and long treatment timelines or side effects can be hard to live with. A stellate ganglion block is being studied as an addition to that care. Compared with other options, it is:
Scheduled over two consecutive days, one side of the neck per visit.
An injection in the clinic, with no daily prescription to manage afterward.
Used alongside your therapy and medication, which continue as before.
The research base is still growing, and the evidence is mixed. A 2023 review of sympathetic nerve blocks for PTSD looked at whether these procedures can reduce the autonomic dysfunction tied to PTSD symptoms. A separate 2024 analysis reviewed SGB as a possible option for post-traumatic stress, while noting that results differ by patient and technique. Much of the published research, including a 2020 randomized trial in JAMA Psychiatry, used right-side blocks only, and the two-sided approach has less published evidence.
Researchers are still working out how the block affects stress, and how long any calming effect lasts differs from person to person. Other injection-based options are part of our broader regenerative medicine services that focus on helping the body recalibrate and heal.
Who Can Benefit from DSGB for PTSD?
DSGB may be worth discussing for adults who:
Have not responded well to conventional PTSD care, including medication or psychotherapy.
Experience chronic hypervigilance, panic attacks, or heightened anxiety.
Have severe PTSD symptoms that disrupt daily life and relationships.
Are military veterans, first responders, or trauma survivors looking for complementary options.
The procedure is performed only in our South Tampa building, at Reboot Vitality, for people coping with trauma related to:
Military combat and service-related trauma
First responders, including police, firefighters, and paramedics
Survivors of physical or sexual assault
Victims of domestic abuse
Those who have lived through traumatic accidents or injuries
People navigating grief, loss, or other trauma-related stress
If other approaches have fallen short, an evaluation is a reasonable next step. If your symptoms center on persistent fear and overwhelm, our overview of care for post-traumatic stress disorder explains where nervous-system-focused treatment fits in. In Tampa, the procedure is performed as a two-day stellate ganglion block program for PTSD at Reboot Vitality, in our South Tampa building.
What to Expect During the DSGB Procedure
At Reboot Vitality, DSGB is performed as The Reboot Protocol™ by Dr. Michael Meighen over two consecutive days. Each day is outpatient, and you go home after monitoring. Here is what the two days typically look like:
Comprehensive evaluation. On day one, Dr. Meighen reviews your symptoms, history, medications and stress patterns before any injection, to decide whether DSGB is appropriate for you.
Ultrasound-guided injections. Under real-time ultrasound, Dr. Meighen places a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion in the neck: the right side on day one, the left side on day two. If day one's hoarse voice or trouble swallowing has not cleared, the second side waits.
Monitoring, then home. After each injection, the team monitors you for 30 to 45 minutes. You can drive yourself home afterward, and the staff arrange a driver if there is any concern.
Your response. Response varies from person to person, and there is no fixed timeline. Your therapy and other care continue as before.
How long any effect lasts differs from person to person, and the VA's patient guide says the long-term effects are unknown. Dr. Meighen reviews the benefits and risks with you before anything is scheduled.
Potential Side Effects and Risks of DSGB
A stellate ganglion block is a medical injection with its own risks. Common effects are usually temporary and can include:
A droopy eyelid and a smaller pupil on the injected side, a red or watery eye, or a stuffy nose
A hoarse voice, trouble swallowing or a warm face
The arm on that side feeling warm, heavy or numb, feeling lightheaded, or soreness or a bruise where the needle went in
The Cleveland Clinic notes that these common effects are usually temporary. Serious complications are rare: infection, bleeding, nerve injury, a collapsed lung, an allergic reaction or short-lived shortness of breath. If the anesthetic reaches a blood vessel, it can cause a seizure or a change in heart rhythm, which is why the team monitors you for 30 to 45 minutes after each injection.
How Much Does DSGB for PTSD Cost?
DSGB is still an evolving therapy, so costs vary based on location, provider experience, and insurance coverage. At AgeRejuvenation we offer financing options to help make the procedure more accessible. At Reboot Vitality, no price is published: your cost is confirmed at your consultation, before anything is booked. Ask the team about insurance, including TRICARE, before you book.
Is DSGB the Future of PTSD Treatment?
DSGB is still being studied for PTSD, and response varies from person to person. It may be worth discussing if conventional therapies have not brought enough relief. Importantly, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that SGB may offer short-term benefit for some individuals while it is not yet an established standalone PTSD treatment, so it is best used within a broader care plan. The Reboot Protocol™ has not been reviewed or approved by the FDA as a treatment for PTSD. The local anesthetic used in the injection is FDA-approved; using it for PTSD is an off-label use.
At AgeRejuvenation we are committed to state-of-the-art care that supports both mind and body. Whether you are a veteran, first responder, trauma survivor, or simply exploring new options, DSGB may be a path worth discussing with Dr. Meighen at Reboot Vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DSGB and a stellate ganglion block?
A stellate ganglion block (SGB) places a local anesthetic around the stellate ganglion on one side of the neck. DSGB, a dual stellate ganglion block, treats both sides: at Reboot Vitality, the right side on day one and the left side on day two. Much of the published research used right-side blocks only, and the two-sided approach has less published evidence.
How fast does DSGB work for PTSD?
There is no fixed timeline, and response varies from person to person. The procedure itself is scheduled over two consecutive days, one side of the neck per visit, with 30 to 45 minutes of monitoring after each injection. The VA's patient guide says the long-term effects are unknown.
Is DSGB safe?
A stellate ganglion block is a medical injection with its own risks. Common effects, such as a droopy eyelid, a hoarse voice, trouble swallowing or soreness where the needle went in, are usually temporary. Serious complications are rare, and the team monitors you after each injection. Dr. Meighen reviews your health history to confirm the procedure is right for you.
Does insurance cover DSGB for PTSD?
Coverage varies widely because DSGB is still an evolving therapy and is not yet considered a standard PTSD treatment. Ask the Reboot Vitality team about insurance, including TRICARE, before you book.
Who should not get DSGB?
Blood thinners, a bleeding problem or a past reaction to a local anesthetic can rule a block out. So can an infection where the injection goes, pregnancy, some heart or lung conditions and recent thoughts of suicide. Your evaluation with Dr. Meighen screens for each, and the block is used alongside your mental-health care for PTSD.
Ready to take the next step?
Talk with the AgeRejuvenation team about a Nervous System Reset (SGB) plan built around your labs and goals.
