A treatment that has been used for years to maintain pain caused by nerve injuries has recently proved to be capable of so much more. This treatment is an injection called the Stellate Ganglion Block and it temporarily blocks the nerve that controls the body's fight or flight response. Recent studies show that temporarily blocking this nerve almost acts as a reset button for a person suffering from the chronic fight or flight response associated with PTSD.
Dr. Thomas Bond, a local physician who administers the treatments says "What we do is literally cut the pathway between the memory and the associated physiologic response. That's what a PTSD block will do. Does it cure somebody immediately forever? Well, some of them, yes. And it's a big no-no to say that, but I don't care. I've seen it. I've done it."
"So far, it's 100% effective in the group we have," Bond said. "We'll have to see how long that duration lasts. I'd like to get to at least 50, really 100, from a statistical perspective. If we could get 100 patients and then look at the numbers, we'll be able to do a case series."
The injection is not covered by health insurance, therefore AVA helps fund the treatment for those suffering with PTSD. Now, through our Heal Program, veterans are responsible for paying only $500 of the $1,500 treatment. The cost includes a diagnostic screening, follow-up appointments and therapy sessions. The Heal Program's ultimate goal is to demonstrate clinical validity over time to increase funding and accessibility to veterans in Louisiana and the surrounding states.
Our President, Andrew Ward, says "I think we're onto something really, really big here, I think this is just the beginning."
The AVA hopes to continue providing support and funds for the injection for those veterans suffering from PTSD.
Acadiana Veteran Alliance was formed to build new economic development and industry WITH veterans, and fund PTSD healthcare treatments FOR veterans.
The Mission of the Acadiana Veteran Alliance (AVA) is to unite Acadiana-area veterans, Acadiana veteran-owned businesses, and all Acadiana-based companies for a common purpose; supporting veterans in our Work, Heal, and Give phases of assistance