Stellate Ganglion Block in Seomyeon, Busan

What is a stellate ganglion block?

The stellate ganglion (성상신경절) is part of the sympathetic nervous system, which controls blood flow, sweating and certain pain signals. It lies in front of the spine at the base of the neck. Blocking it with local anesthetic temporarily switches off sympathetic activity to the head, neck, upper chest and arm on that side. Stellate ganglion blocks are a long-established pain medicine procedure and are commonly performed in Korean pain clinics.

Who is it for?

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) affecting the arm or hand
Some neuropathic pain of the face, head, neck or arm, such as after shingles
Poor circulation in the arm, such as severe Raynaud's phenomenon
Selected other conditions studied in research, including vasomotor hot flushes and PTSD, where evidence is still emerging

It may not be suitable for people taking blood thinners, with infection at the site, or with certain heart rhythm or breathing problems. Some clinics promote SGB for a very wide range of complaints; ask about evidence for your specific condition.

What happens at the clinic

Assessment: diagnosis and review of medicines, especially blood thinners.
Positioning: you lie on your back with the neck slightly extended.
Ultrasound guidance: the doctor identifies nearby blood vessels, the thyroid and nerves.
Injection: a small volume of local anesthetic is injected next to the ganglion.
Observation: staff monitor you for 20–30 minutes and confirm the block's effects.

Recovery and aftercare

On the injected side, you may notice a drooping eyelid, smaller pupil, red eye, nasal stuffiness, warmth in the hand and a hoarse voice. These effects are expected and usually wear off within hours. Avoid eating or drinking until any hoarseness or swallowing difficulty settles, and do not drive immediately afterward. Some conditions are treated with a series of blocks.

Risks and side effects

Beyond the expected temporary effects, risks include bruising, injection into a blood vessel, temporary arm weakness and, rarely, more serious complications such as seizure, breathing difficulty or infection. Ultrasound guidance helps reduce risks.

Choosing a clinic for stellate ganglion block in Seomyeon

Choose a pain medicine specialist who performs SGB under ultrasound guidance.
Ask what evidence supports SGB for your particular condition.
Ask how many blocks are planned and how response will be measured.
Confirm the clinic has monitoring and resuscitation equipment.
Ask about insurance coverage, which depends on the indication.

Practical note

Plan for someone to accompany you or use public transport home. Seomyeon is connected to all of Busan by Metro Lines 1 and 2.

Target: stellate (cervicothoracic) sympathetic ganglion in the lower neck
Established uses: CRPS of the arm, some facial and upper-limb neuropathic pain, vascular insufficiency
Other uses: hot flushes, PTSD and others under research; evidence still developing
Guidance: ultrasound or fluoroscopy
Procedure time: about 10–15 minutes plus 20–30 minutes observation
Expected temporary effects: droopy eyelid, small pupil, warm hand on the injected side
Course: sometimes a series of blocks

Why does my eyelid droop after a stellate ganglion block?

This is Horner's syndrome, an expected temporary sign that the sympathetic nerves are blocked. It usually resolves within a few hours as the anesthetic wears off.

What conditions does a stellate ganglion block treat?

Established uses include CRPS of the arm and some neuropathic or circulation-related pain in the head, face and arm. Other uses, such as hot flushes or PTSD, are still being researched.

Is a stellate ganglion block safe?

When done by experienced doctors with ultrasound guidance, it is generally safe. Rare serious complications exist, so clinics should have monitoring and emergency equipment.

How many stellate ganglion blocks will I need?

It depends on the condition. Some people need only one or a few blocks, while others receive a series. Your doctor should reassess after each block.

Is a stellate ganglion block covered by insurance in Korea?

It is covered by National Health Insurance for certain medical indications for enrolled patients. Use for other purposes may be non-covered, so confirm before the procedure.

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