When arm pain has no apparent cause, the problem could be the stellate
ganglion nerves. These nerves originate in the neck and are part of the
sympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary movements such
as pupil dilation, blushing, and sweating. These nerves are also the source
of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome symptoms such as hypersensitivity and
intense pain.
In addition to arm pain, dysfunction of the ganglion nerves may cause pain
in the head, neck, or upper chest. A stellate ganglion block allows physicians
to determine whether the ganglion nerves are causing pain.
About Stellate Ganglion Blocks
To determine which nerve or nerves are causing pain, a physician injects
medicine into the neck to numb the ganglion nerves. If patients do not
experience immediate pain relief, then ganglion nerves are not the source
of the pain. Isolating the cause of nerve pain is the first step in developing
an effective treatment plan.
Recovery Time After a Stellate Ganglion Block
Patients will need someone to drive them home from their appointment, as
they will be drowsy. Side effects of this procedure include nasal congestion,
hoarseness, red eyes, constricted pupils, and a drooping eyelid. These
effects clear up in 4 to 8 hours, but patients should rest for a full
day before resuming normal activities.
Find Out What’s Causing Your Pain
If you have chronic pain in one or both arms, your neck, head, or upper
chest, the cause may be your ganglion nerves.
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