Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex and debilitating condition that affects individuals who have experienced traumatic events. While traditional therapies like psychotherapy and medication have been the primary treatments for PTSD, novel approaches offered at Regenesis are providing patients with striking results. At Regenesis, we offer therapy that includes our proprietary Regenesis Stellate Ganglion Blocks (RSGB) paired with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Our RSGB therapy has already benefited teens suffering from trauma at a young age as well as combat veterans and other adults suffering from injuries or extreme stress. Patients undergoing our RSGB therapy have experienced rapid and ongoing relief from persistent anxiety, nightmares, and even phantom nerve pain. As one of our patients recently noted in a September 2023 Google review," A drug-free, immediate remedy for PTSD and anxiety exists. If you have either of these conditions, first, my thoughts are with you, and second, please reach out to Dr. Lee at Regenesis. The Stellate Ganglion Block procedure is a lifeline."
The following discussion summarizes how our Regenesis Stellate Ganglion Block (RSGB) and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can work individually and together to provide relief to those suffering from PTSD.
Our Regenesis Stellate Ganglion Block (RSGB) includes a proprietary update to a minimally invasive medical procedure in which a mild local anesthetic agent is injected into the stellate ganglion, a cluster of nerves in the neck. The stellate ganglion is crucial in regulating the body's stress response. In individuals with PTSD, this stress response is often dysregulated, leading to heightened anxiety, hyperarousal, and the re-experiencing of traumatic memories while awake and in nightmares. By administering our RGSB, we successfully " reset" this stress response.
The medical agents used in our Stellate Ganglion Block temporarily blocks the activity of the stellate ganglion, interrupting the sympathetic nervous system's overactivity associated with PTSD. As many of our patients report, "I had a 20-minute, brief, completely painless procedure. At the end of the procedure, there was a calm and overall serenity I hadn't felt in a decade." The RSGB offers several other benefits:
Reduction of Hyperarousal and Anxiety: PTSD is characterized by hyperarousal, heightened anxiety, and an exaggerated "fight or flight" response. By blocking sympathetic nerve activity, SGB can reduce these symptoms by calming the body's stress response system.
Enhancement of Emotional Regulation: SGB has been observed to improve emotional regulation in individuals with PTSD. By reducing sympathetic nerve activity, it may help individuals better manage emotions related to trauma, such as fear, anger, and hypervigilance.
Impact on Trauma-Related Memories: Some studies suggest that SGB may influence the consolidation and retrieval of trauma-related memories. By modulating the sympathetic nervous system, SGB can potentially reduce the emotional intensity and frequency of intrusive memories and flashbacks associated with PTSD.
Improvement in Sleep Patterns: PTSD often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and frequent awakenings. SGB has been reported to improve sleep quality in individuals with PTSD, possibly due to its calming effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing very high oxygen concentrations (90% or higher) in a pressurized chamber. Our HBOT employs chamber pressures of 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2 atmospheres (2 ATA), with 2 ATA being the equivalent pressure of scuba diving to a depth of 33 feet. At pressures above 1 atmosphere (1 ATA), oxygen moves beyond the hemoglobin in red blood cells and into blood plasma. As chamber pressure increases, oxygen solubility into blood plasma increases, allowing the body to transport oxygen more effectively to areas with reduced blood flow to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Our HBOT provides several potential benefits for individuals with PTSD.
Neurological Effects: HBOT increases the oxygen supply to brain tissues, which can enhance neuronal metabolism and support brain function. In PTSD, traumatic experiences can lead to changes in brain structure and function. HBOT's ability to increase oxygen delivery may help mitigate these changes and promote neuroplasticity, potentially aiding in the recovery from PTSD symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: HBOT has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating immune responses. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a factor in psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. By reducing inflammation, HBOT may help alleviate symptoms associated with neuroinflammation in PTSD.
Reduction of Oxidative Stress: PTSD is associated with increased oxidative stress, which can damage cells and impair cellular function. HBOT's ability to deliver high levels of oxygen under pressure helps reduce oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defenses and promoting cellular repair mechanisms.
Enhancement of Cognitive Function: Improved oxygenation and blood flow to the brain facilitated by HBOT may enhance cognitive function, including attention, memory, and executive functioning. This could help individuals with PTSD better manage cognitive symptoms and improve overall cognitive performance.
Psychological Benefits: HBOT sessions, conducted in a calm and controlled environment, may provide psychological benefits such as relaxation and stress reduction. The therapeutic setting and experience of undergoing HBOT sessions can contribute to a sense of well-being and relaxation, potentially complementing other PTSD treatments.
When the Regenesis Stellate Ganglion Block and HBOT are combined, their benefits support improved outcomes for patients with PTSD. The Stellate Ganglion Block addresses the immediate physiological aspects of PTSD by modulating the overactive sympathetic nervous system. At the same time, HBOT supports long-term healing and resilience. Also, our RSGB and HBOT have reduced or eliminated our patients’ need for medications. This is important since PTSD medications can entail unwanted side effects such as dependence, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, impaired memory, and agitation.
During Regenesis PTSD Therapy, patients typically experience meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms. These improvements include decreased nightmares, reduced hypervigilance, and improved overall mood and well-being that lead to a greatly improved quality of life and daily functioning. These benefits, offer many individuals suffering from PTSD a path to recovery and a brighter future. Indeed, testimony from one of our patients encapsulates her journey down this path to a brighter future, "I researched it thoroughly. Let me save you a step…Dr. Lee is a master of this technique. It is his craft. At Regenesis, these aren't just medical professionals; they're compassionate human beings on a mission to help others. Too many of us battle anxiety and do untold damage to our bodies trying to treat it. Many of us assume that's just part of life. It's not… make an appointment with Dr. Lee for the Stellate Ganglion Block. It gave me a chance at living life again."
