man with trauma

Why Innovative Treatments Like SGB Are Critical to Addressing Israel’s Wave of Trauma

October 29, 2025

The events of October 7 and the ongoing war have left a deep mark on Israeli society. Thousands of soldiers, civilians and their families are now coping with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, and the numbers keep rising. Recent data show that this wave of psychological injury is an enormous national challenge, one that requires us to think outside the box and look for medical treatment for PTSD and for innovative, effective solutions. In this reality, breakthrough methods such as SGB treatment offer new hope.

אדם מפחד מהסביבה ונרתע ממנה - תמונה להמחשה - סטלה ישראל

How Do You Recognize PTSD, Anxiety and Depression?

The biggest challenge in dealing with these conditions is often recognizing them in the first place. Many people feel ashamed, afraid, or are simply unaware that they are suffering from a problem that requires treatment for PTSD or anxiety.

Among other things, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can include:

  • Intrusion: Flashbacks, nightmares or intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event.
  • Avoidance: Trying to avoid places, people or activities that are reminders of the trauma.
  • Negative changes in thoughts and mood: Emotional numbness, a sense of detachment, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, negative thoughts about yourself or the world.
  • Hyperarousal: Sleep problems, irritability, difficulty concentrating, an exaggerated startle response, being constantly on guard (Hypervigilance).

Anxiety and depression are not side effects; they are an integral part of living with PTSD. Constant tension, a pounding heart, trouble sleeping or a sense of emptiness can all appear together and create an ongoing cycle of suffering. If you or your loved ones are experiencing symptoms like these, it is important to know: it can be treated. You do not have to face this alone.

Why Aren't Conventional Methods Enough for the Current Wave?

Traditional treatments such as medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy) are very important and have helped many people. However, the current wave of psychological injury in Israel, in its scale and complexity, presents new challenges we have to address:

  • Time: These treatments usually take a long time, and many people need relief within a relatively short period.
  • Availability: There is a severe shortage of therapists and treatment programs.
  • Effectiveness: Not every treatment suits every person, and sometimes the effect is not enough.

The situation calls for solutions that can bring significant relief quickly and help patients return to functioning as soon as possible, while meeting the needs of the large number of people seeking help.

SGB Treatment: A First Step Toward a Calmer Life

This is where SGB (Stellate Ganglion Block) treatment comes in, an innovative, breakthrough medical method that is gaining international recognition and proving its effectiveness in treating PTSD, anxiety and depression.

What Is SGB Treatment?

SGB is a simple, safe medical procedure performed by a specialist physician. It involves a precise, ultrasound-guided injection of a temporary local anesthetic at two points in the neck. These points are part of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s “fight or flight” response and does not function properly in people who suffer from trauma and chronic anxiety.

How Does SGB Actually Help?

The injection temporarily “resets” the overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, allowing the autonomic nervous system to return to balance. The result? Significant, rapid relief from symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression, which can occur within just a few hours of treatment. This relief allows the patient to think more clearly, sleep better, feel less anxious and gradually return to functioning.

Who Is SGB Treatment For?

SGB treatment is suitable for a wide range of people who suffer from:

  • PTSD: Including combat casualties and people affected by security incidents, accidents, natural disasters, violence, sexual violence and other events.
  • Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety and more.
  • Depression: In cases where it is linked to a nervous system imbalance and stems from hyperarousal of the system.
    The treatment is especially suitable for people who have not found adequate relief with conventional treatments, or for those who need quick relief that will allow them to begin or continue a broader course of therapy.

For many, this is a critical step that restores a sense of control, reduces suffering and makes it possible to re-engage with therapy, emotional life or daily functioning from a more stable and secure place.

אדם סובל מפוסט טראומה נדחף קדימה על ידי יקירים סביבו - תמונה להמחשה

Our Message to Families: Don't Go Through This Alone

We know the pain, the worry and the search for a solution all too well. At Stella Center Israel, we see you as full partners in the healing process, and your awareness of the symptoms is key to change. Don’t hesitate to reach out. There are solutions, including SGB treatment, that can bring relief and real change.

Stella Center Israel: International Expertise, Local Care

Stella Center Israel, part of a leading international network, brings the most advanced knowledge and experience in SGB treatment to Israel. We offer medical treatment for PTSD, anxiety and depression at the highest level, tailored to the unique needs of the Israeli public. We are here to provide hope, relief and a way back to a full, peaceful life.

Interested in treatment for yourself or a loved one?
Fill in your details for a callback or give us a call

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Dr. Jason Cohen

Dr. Jason Cohen

Chief Medical Officer, Stella Israel

Dr. Jason Cohen is a specialist in pain medicine and anesthesia, part of the global Stella organization that provides mental health care to tens of thousands of people across the United States, Australia, and Israel. Dr. Cohen is a leading expert in the dedicated SGB protocol for treating post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders.