Non Invasive Interferential Stellate Ganglion Block
An interventional stellate ganglion block is used often for chronic intractable pain. The purpose is to stop sympathetically mediated pain by injecting a local anesthetic. The actual procedure does involve a considerable degree of risk, including death, if the insertion is not done properly. Serious life threatening situations can develop and that is why it's crucial the physician become totally aware of the surrounding anatomy to prevent injury during the procedure. In recent years the inclusion of fluoroscopic dyes has led to better placements and better outcomes while reducing some of the risks. For a video of how the stellate ganglion block procedure is done go here.
Samuel Davis, P.T. reported the use of interferential current therapy in his book "Interferential Current Therapy in clinical practice" , 1993, ISBN 09624032-6-1, detailing a study done in 1972 in the clinical setting. The use of medium frequency interferential current is not new, however it has required clinical visits, or in some cases hospitalization for the treatments. The machines capable of creating the interferential currents were only available to clinics, not patients for personal use. Today the Infrex Plus and the Infrex FRM are available for home use.
The medium frequency interferential currents should be tried before any interventional block is done. The risk of injury or further harm using interferential therapy is practically non existent. The higher medium frequency beats allow deeper penetration into the actual stellate ganglion and the decrease of pain, possibly elimination, will be known in less than 20 minutes. If the interferential current works the patient can self treat, possibly requiring no more than 2 ea. , 20 minute treatments daily until carryover pain relief is established. If the procedure does not work then traditonal interventional blocks may be done. After carryover established the pain may cease to exist or require only monthly 20 minute treatments.
The medium interferential frequency stellate ganglion block is preferable to interventional procedures due to safety. The patient and physician know in 1 treatment, without causing any harm to the patient or risks from traditional ganglion blocks.
The below video explains how home treatment with interferential therapy produces longer lasting carryover pain relief:
