Dr. John How, a board-certified emergency physician and founder of The How Clinic, shares his journey from treating trauma in the ER to pioneering innovative mental health therapies. He discusses the transformative Stellate Ganglion Block, a non-invasive procedure that resets the autonomic nervous system to effectively tackle PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Dr. How also highlights the importance of personalized treatments, including ketamine therapy, and explores the role of nutrition in mental health, advocating for a holistic approach to healing.
Dr. John How emphasizes the innovative Stellate Ganglion Block procedure as a non-invasive method to effectively treat PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The discussion highlights the urgent need for effective mental health interventions, given the staggering statistics of treatment-resistant depression and PTSD affecting millions worldwide.
A collaborative approach between proceduralists and mental health professionals is crucial for maximizing the benefits of treatments like the Stellate Ganglion Block and enhancing patient support.
Deep dives
Dr. John Howe's Journey and the Stellate Ganglion Block
Dr. John Howe, initially an emergency room physician, encountered burnout and sought alternative treatment methods for mental health issues, leading him to the stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure. The SGB is a targeted approach that involves injecting anesthetic near a bundle of nerves in the neck, which has shown effectiveness in treating conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and treatment-resistant depression. Through his years of medical training and personal experience with mental health symptoms, Howe transitioned to focusing on both regenerative medicine and SGB practices, eventually becoming an advocate for this innovative treatment method. The procedure not only provides immediate relief for patients but also addresses underlying autonomic nervous system dysregulation that contributes to psychological distress.
Prevalence and Impact of Mental Health Issues
The discussion highlights alarming statistics regarding mental health issues, revealing that approximately 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression, with significant percentages of these cases being treatment-resistant. PTSD affects around 10% of Americans, and symptoms can significantly impair daily functioning, often leading to severe consequences such as suicide, especially among veterans and front-line healthcare workers. This stark reality underscores the necessity for effective interventions like SGB, which can provide relief and improve quality of life for individuals struggling with these conditions. By highlighting these statistics, the urgency for exploring non-medication treatment options becomes evident.
Understanding the Mechanism of the Stellate Ganglion Block
The stellate ganglion is a crucial bundle of nerves related to the body's fight or flight response, and the SGB procedure aims to modulate this response through targeted anesthetic injections. By administering the anesthetic next to the stellate ganglion, the procedure helps to reset autonomic nervous system function, promoting a healthier balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. This approach demonstrates that simply blocking nerve signals can lead to a reduction in hyperarousal symptoms associated with PTSD while improving emotional regulation. Moreover, patients often experience beneficial effects such as enhanced focus and reduced irritability, indicating the profound impact of this treatment on mental health.
Broader Applications and Future of Stellate Ganglion Block
In addition to PTSD and anxiety, the SGB is being explored as a potential treatment for various health challenges, including long COVID and even some digestive disorders. As the understanding of autonomic dysregulation expands, researchers and clinicians are becoming increasingly interested in how interventions like the SGB could play a role in managing a wider range of conditions. The successful application of the SGB in treating mental health issues could pave the way for further exploration and validation of similar procedures in addressing both physical and psychological health. As evidence accumulates, the procedure may gain recognition as a standard option for individuals dealing with complex health challenges.
Integration of Therapy and Procedural Approaches
A collaborative approach between proceduralists and mental health professionals is essential for maximizing the benefits of interventions like SGB and ketamine therapy. The synergy between medication management, psychotherapy, and procedural treatments can create a comprehensive care plan tailored to individual needs. The importance of pre- and post-treatment support cannot be overstated, as psychological consultation can enhance the effectiveness of these interventions by helping patients process their experiences. This interconnectedness emphasizes the need for a holistic view of mental health care, where both the body and mind are treated adequately to achieve optimal outcomes.
In this episode of the Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, we dive deep into groundbreaking approaches for treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression with Dr. John How, an emergency physician turned mental health advocate. Dr. How introduces us to the Stellate Ganglion Block, a powerful and non-invasive procedure that's transforming how we manage trauma and mental health without relying solely on medications.
We explore:
What the Stellate Ganglion Block is and how it works
Its effectiveness in treating PTSD, depression, and anxiety
The connection between the autonomic nervous system and mental health
How Dr. How’s personal journey with burnout and trauma led him to discover this life-changing procedure
The future of mental health treatments, including ketamine and regenerative medicine
If you or someone you love struggles with mental health challenges, this episode offers insight into innovative treatments that can provide long-term relief.
Who is Dr. John How?
Dr. John How is an accomplished board certified emergency medicine physician with a passion for healing trauma and aging in both the mind and the body.
He is the founder, and medical director of The How Clinic in Encinitas, CA where the focus is on treating the root cause of his patient’s problems. He and his team at The How Clinic use traditional and functional medicine combined with cutting edge treatments for pain and injury to combat the symptoms and causes of trauma and aging. These treatments include nerve hydrodissection, regenerative medicine therapies, hormone and nutritional optimization, as well as therapies to address sexual dysfunction.
He is a Medical Director at Stella Center, an interventional psychiatry practice. He and the team at Stella specialize in providing a world class combination of evidence-based treatments targeted at treating depression, PTSD, and chronic anxiety. These treatments include Spravato, ketamine infusion therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an advanced stellate ganglion block (SGB) called the dual sympathetic reset (DSR), and integration therapy.
