August Special · Honolulu
Stellate Ganglion Block, $400 Through August 31Ultrasound-Guided, in Honolulu
Honolulu · Ala Moana Building
A 15-Minute Injection That Interrupts the Fight-or-Flight Signal
The Stellate Ganglion Block is an ultrasound-guided procedure that temporarily quiets an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Performed exclusively by board-certified anesthesiologists at our Honolulu clinic. $400 through August 31.
- A 15-minute ultrasound-guided procedure that temporarily interrupts an overactive fight-or-flight signal
- Performed exclusively by board-certified anesthesiologists at our Honolulu clinic, never delegated
- Many patients notice a change within hours to a few days
- Published research describes effects commonly lasting three to six months
- $400 through August 31, compared with our standard rate of $2,200
- Starts with a free phone consultation with a provider, no obligation
- Board-Certified Anesthesiologists
- Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance
- Honolulu, Ala Moana Building
- 4.9 Stars, 43 Reviews
Request Your Free Phone Consultation
Four fields. A team member will reach out to you within 24 hours.
Request received
A team member will reach out to you within 24 hours. If you would rather speak with someone now, call (808) 219-0342.
Limited Time · Honolulu Only
August Special: $400 Per Procedure in Honolulu
$400 $2,200
per procedure
Through August 31, Stellate Ganglion Block at our Honolulu clinic is $400. Our standard rate is $2,200.
What that $400 includes
- Consultation to determine whether SGB is appropriate. The initial phone consultation with a provider is free.
- The ultrasound-guided procedure, performed by a board-certified anesthesiologist
- Monitored recovery, 30 to 45 minutes
- A follow-up visit to assess response
What it does not include: additional blocks beyond the first, if a series is recommended. Series pricing is discussed at consultation.
Offer valid at the Honolulu location only, for procedures booked on or before August 31, 2026. Standard rate is $2,200.
When the Sympathetic Nervous System Stays Switched On
The sympathetic nervous system is the body's threat-response system. It is supposed to activate, do its job, and stand down.
After trauma, sustained operational stress, or certain chronic pain conditions, it can stop standing down. It stays in a persistent state of threat-response, and the body keeps running the alarm long after the danger has passed.
That pattern shows up as:
- Hypervigilance and a constant sense of being on alert
- Sleep that is broken, or nightmares
- Anxiety with physical symptoms: racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath
- Irritability and a short fuse
- Difficulty concentrating or holding focus
- Intrusive memories
- Slower physical recovery and persistent fatigue
These are not character traits and they are not a discipline problem. They are the downstream effects of a nervous system that is stuck in the on position.
What the Stellate Ganglion Block Is
The stellate ganglion is a cluster of sympathetic nerve cell bodies in the lower neck, sitting just in front of the seventh cervical vertebra. It is a major relay point for sympathetic signals traveling to the head, neck, upper limbs and chest.
The Stellate Ganglion Block works by placing a small, precise volume of local anesthetic next to that ganglion, guided in real time by ultrasound. This temporarily interrupts the overactive sympathetic signaling passing through it.
The effect is not sedation and it is not chemical suppression. It is a temporary interruption that allows an overloaded autonomic nervous system to recalibrate toward a more regulated baseline.
How the reset works
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Interrupt
Local anesthetic temporarily blocks sympathetic signal traffic through the stellate ganglion.
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Recalibrate
With the alarm signal quiet, the autonomic nervous system has an opportunity to settle toward a lower baseline.
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Consolidate
The window that opens is where other treatment does its best work. This is why SGB is paired with therapy, ketamine, neurofeedback or TMS rather than used alone.
What the Appointment Involves
Total time in clinic is typically 45 to 75 minutes. The procedure itself takes 15 to 30 minutes.
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Preparation
You lie on your back on the procedure table. The skin of the neck is cleaned with antiseptic solution and numbed with a small amount of local anesthetic.
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Imaging
A board-certified anesthesiologist uses a high-resolution ultrasound transducer to identify the stellate ganglion and every surrounding structure in real time, including the carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea and cervical vertebrae.
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Injection
A fine needle is advanced under continuous ultrasound visualization to the target site. A small volume of local anesthetic, typically bupivacaine, is placed precisely next to the ganglion. Most patients report mild pressure rather than pain.
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Recovery and confirmation
You are monitored for 30 to 45 minutes. A successful block is usually confirmed by the appearance of Horner's syndrome on the treated side, which is a harmless and temporary combination of mild eyelid drooping, pupil constriction and facial warmth. It resolves completely as the anesthetic wears off, typically within a few hours.
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Timing of effect
Many patients notice a reduction in tension, hyperarousal and anxiety beginning within hours to a few days.
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Protocol
A single block often provides weeks to months of benefit. Where more sustained effect is needed, a series of two to three blocks spaced one to two weeks apart is commonly recommended. This is decided at consultation, not in advance.
Find Out Whether SGB Is a Reasonable Option
A consultation with our clinical team is how that gets determined. The initial consultation is a free phone call with one of our providers, and there is no obligation to proceed.
Conditions SGB Is Used For at Hawaii Wellness Clinic
- PTSD and trauma-related hyperarousal, particularly where psychotherapy and medication have not produced adequate relief
- Severe anxiety with prominent physical hyperarousal symptoms such as racing heart, chest tightness and difficulty breathing
- Moderate to severe menopausal hot flashes, where hormone therapy is unsuitable or unwanted
- Sympathetically maintained pain, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), post-herpetic neuralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon and certain chronic neck and upper-limb pain conditions
- Chronic migraine and cluster headache involving significant autonomic dysregulation
When SGB Is Not the Right Starting Point
A consultation may conclude that SGB is not appropriate. Common reasons include:
- Active infection at the injection site
- Certain bleeding disorders or anticoagulation regimens
- Significant cardiac or pulmonary conditions, or recent cardiac events
- Pregnancy
Candidacy is determined by a physician, not by a form.
Why the Operator Matters More Than the Procedure
SGB is a precision procedure performed within a few millimeters of the carotid artery, the jugular vein and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Who holds the needle and what they can see determines the outcome.
Performed exclusively by board-certified anesthesiologists
Every SGB at Hawaii Wellness Clinic is performed by a board-certified anesthesiologist with advanced training in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. These are the same specialists who manage complex nerve block procedures in major medical centers.
Real-time ultrasound on every case, without exception
Continuous ultrasound visualization is the standard of care for this procedure. It is how the target is identified and how adjacent structures are avoided.
Dedicated procedure rooms
Not a treatment chair in a shared room.
Trauma-informed care
Our team works regularly with trauma survivors and with people whose work exposes them to repeated critical incidents, and approaches every SGB accordingly.
Your provider
Born and raised in Hawaii, Shawn began his medical career as a U.S. Army medic and Gulf War veteran before earning his Master of Science in Anesthesia from Georgetown University. He founded Hawaii Wellness Clinic to offer evidence-based alternatives for patients who have not found lasting relief through conventional treatment, and brings deep expertise in anesthesia, acute pain management and IV therapy.
- MS, CRNA, APRN, CCRN
- Georgetown University
- CEO & Founder
- Honolulu & Kailua Kona
Part of a program, not a one-off
SGB produces its most durable benefit when the window it opens is used. Hawaii Wellness Clinic integrates SGB with ketamine therapy, neurofeedback training, ExoMind TMS and IV nutrient therapy, all under one roof, across two islands.
What Patients Say
Common Questions
Is the procedure painful?
Most patients report mild pressure rather than pain. The skin and soft tissue are numbed with local anesthetic beforehand. The procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes, and many patients describe it as less uncomfortable than they expected.
How quickly does it work?
Many patients notice reductions in anxiety, hypervigilance, nightmares and hyperarousal within hours to a few days. In the JAMA Psychiatry trial, measurable improvement in symptom scores was seen over the eight weeks following the first injection.
How long does relief last?
This varies by individual and by condition. A single block often provides benefit for weeks to months, with the published literature generally describing a three to six month range. A series of two to three blocks spaced one to two weeks apart typically produces more sustained benefit, and maintenance blocks can be performed as needed.
Who performs the procedure?
Every SGB at Hawaii Wellness Clinic is performed by a board-certified anesthesiologist with advanced training in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
Can SGB be combined with other treatments?
Yes, and the research points that direction. SGB tends to produce its most durable benefit when paired with treatments that help consolidate the change. Hawaii Wellness Clinic combines SGB with ketamine therapy, neurofeedback training, ExoMind TMS and IV nutrient therapy.
What is the August special and when does it end?
Through August 31, 2026, Stellate Ganglion Block at Hawaii Wellness Clinic is $400, compared with our standard rate of $2,200. To receive the $400 rate, your procedure must be booked on or before August 31, 2026. The procedure itself may be scheduled for a date after August 31. After August 31, standard pricing resumes.
Why is it $400 when other clinics charge more?
Because we would rather more people in our community were able to get this treatment. At standard pricing SGB is out of reach for a lot of people in Hawaii, including many who have not found relief anywhere else, and holding the price does not serve them. The procedure itself is unchanged. It is performed by the same board-certified anesthesiologists, in the same dedicated procedure rooms, with the same real-time ultrasound guidance we use every day.
Is SGB covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and by indication. It tends to be more consistent for pain diagnoses than for trauma-related use, which many plans still classify as off-label. Our team reviews specifics during consultation.
The August rate is a cash rate. At $400, most patients find it is lower than what they would pay out of pocket toward a deductible, which is why we offer it directly rather than routing it through insurance.
Payment options: HSA and FSA accepted. Financing available.
Which locations offer SGB?
The $400 August rate is available at ourSGB is performed at our Honolulu clinic in the Ala Moana Building, 1441 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite #1002.
Book an SGB Consultation
Honolulu, Ala Moana Building. Board-certified anesthesiologists. Real-time ultrasound on every case. $400 through August 31.
Honolulu Office
Ala Moana Building
1441 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite #1002
Honolulu, HI 96814
Request Your Free Phone Consultation
A team member will reach out to you within 24 hours.
Request received
A team member will reach out to you within 24 hours. If you would rather speak with someone now, call (808) 219-0342.