What is Stellate Ganglion Block?
The stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a procedure in which an injection of a long-acting local anesthetic, using ultrasound guidance, is made in the side of the neck around the main nerve that controls the “fight or flight” response (the sympathetic nervous system). This nerve, (the cervical sympathetic chain) which is a two-way conduit, connects the parts of the brain that control the fight or flight response (referred to as the central autonomic network) to the rest of the body. By blocking or “turning off” the traffic in the cervical sympathetic chain, it is believed that the parts of the brain that control the fight or flight response are allowed to completely reset, resulting in long-term relief of the associated anxiety symptoms. Multiple peer-reviewed medical studies show that SGB results in significant long-term improvement in chronic anxiety symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). The SGB takes less than 15 minutes to perform, and benefits are seen in as little as 30 minutes.
Meet Dr. James Lynch
Dr. Jim Lynch is a physician and mental health advocate who established practice in Annapolis, Maryland in 2021 after serving 31 years in Army medicine. He is board-certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine and has extensive experience treating those suffering from the effects of trauma. Dr. Lynch was a pioneer in the world of PTSD treatment using stellate ganglion block to help heal thousands of patients since 2011. He has published multiple articles in the medical literature on SGB, presented his research in international forums in Germany, Australia, The Netherlands, and Portugal, and has served as a staunch advocate for improving PTSD and Anxiety treatment options. His landmark article published in 2023 on the successful use of SGB to treat anxiety symptoms has expanded effective treatment options currently available for those suffering with debilitating anxiety.
Additionally, Dr. Lynch served as a U.S. Olympic Team Physician, supporting USA Swimming from 2011-2023. Skilled in both physical and mental health issues, Dr. Lynch supported elite Olympians for over ten years in international competition including multiple World Championships and both the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
Dr. Lynch earned a BS in Psychology from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1989, an MS in healthcare improvement from Dartmouth College in 2001, and his MD from Brown Medical School in 2003. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an Adjunct Instructor at the University College Cork, Ireland.
Dr. Lynch’s 31 years of military service include deployments to Panama, the First Gulf War in 1991, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and throughout Africa in support of Special Operations.
Dr. Lynch lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Jodi of 33 years. He is an active member in his church community, enjoys running, biking, hiking, and paddleboarding.
Operation First Response offers financial aid for this life-changing procedure however we cannot do this without your help. Please consider donating through this specific PayPal Button tagged only for the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB).
