As thousands continue to suffer the lingering effects of Long COVID, many patients and providers are searching for answers. Among emerging therapies, the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is promising as a novel intervention for autonomic nervous system dysfunction, believed to be a central mechanism behind Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).
Understanding Long COVID and Dysautonomia
Long COVID—characterized by persistent fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, shortness of breath, and neurological disruption—can affect individuals weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection, regardless of initial severity. Mounting evidence suggests these symptoms are closely tied to dysautonomia. In this condition, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) fails to regulate vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature.
This dysfunction is thought to result from inflammatory responses and prolonged sympathetic overdrive, altering brain-body communication and leading to a cascade of debilitating symptoms.
What Is Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)?
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a minimally invasive injection that targets the stellate ganglion—a bundle of nerves in the neck that modulates sympathetic nervous system activity. SGB has been used safely for nearly a century to treat conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Raynaud’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and facial pain.
In recent years, SGB has gained attention for its ability to reset autonomic balance, particularly in individuals experiencing chronic sympathetic hyperactivity—a mechanism now closely linked to Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome.
How SGB May Help Patients With Long COVID
SGB is believed to “reboot” the autonomic nervous system, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve cerebral blood flow (CBF)—a critical factor in addressing symptoms such as:
- Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction
- Chronic fatigue
- Anxiety and dysregulated heart rate
- Sleep disturbances
- Lightheadedness or orthostatic intolerance
By temporarily blocking sympathetic nerve activity, the body may return to a more parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, helping to recalibrate neurological and immune responses disrupted by viral infection.
Clinical Observations and Results
In real-world case studies, patients receiving bilateral SGB injections reported rapid improvement in energy levels, mental clarity, mood, and cardiovascular stability. These observations support the theory that sympathetically mediated dysautonomia plays a key role in the ongoing symptomatology of Long COVID.
Further, enhanced cerebral blood flow, observed through imaging and neurological markers post-SGB, suggests the brain may benefit from better oxygenation and perfusion, mitigating one of the hypothesized root causes of persistent brain fog and fatigue.
Why Choose Dr. Dariusz Nasiek, MD for SGB?
At Allied Neurology and Interventional Pain Practice, Dr. Dariusz Nasiek, MD, offers Stellate Ganglion Block as part of a multidisciplinary approach to post-COVID recovery that includes neuro diagnostics, EEG, cognitive assessment, and comprehensive care planning.
- Performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance
- Delivered in a safe, outpatient setting
- Supported with complete medical documentation for legal and occupational cases
- Complemented by neurologic and autonomic evaluations
Take the First Step Toward Long COVID Relief
If you’re suffering from persistent post-COVID symptoms and haven’t found effective treatment, Stellate Ganglion Block may offer new hope. With a proven safety record, decades of use in other conditions, and growing clinical support for its use in Long COVID, SGB is a forward-thinking solution for a complex and underserved population.
