In 2010, Tal Hartuv set out on a hike with her friend, American Christian Kristine Luken, unaware that the day would end in tragedy. A Palestinian terrorist attack claimed Luken’s life and left Hartuv fighting for survival.
In the years that followed, Hartuv sought relief from the psychological aftermath through cognitive behavioral therapy, grappling with rage, survivor’s guilt, and persistent insomnia. While her symptoms initially eased, they resurged in recent years, accompanied by hypervigilance, social withdrawal, and outbursts of anger.
“I experienced an increase in hypervigilance, sensitivity to noise, social isolation, and rage — all triggered by insomnia,” Hartuv said.
Since 2022, treatments targeting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been offered at Medica hospitals in Tel Aviv and Haifa through Stella Israel, a branch of the global organization operating also in the United States and Australia.
Jason Blankfield, a former IDF special forces combat veteran and Stella general manager, explained that understanding of PTSD has evolved considerably. Once seen as solely a psychological disorder, research now reveals that trauma can cause measurable biological changes that sustain PTSD symptoms.
Stella’s approach addresses these physical mechanisms through the stellate ganglion block (SGB). Under ultrasound guidance, a specialist injects a small amount of local anesthetic into nerve bundles at the base of the neck. These nerves are key to the feedback loop between the brain and the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates the fight-or-flight response.
The treatment requires two brief procedures, about 10 minutes each, performed on opposite sides of the neck a week apart. By temporarily “blocking” the nerves, the procedure reduces norepinephrine and nerve growth factors, effectively resetting the system. Patients often report immediate calm, improved sleep, and reduced hyperarousal, panic attacks, and irritability.
“We inject a low dose of local anesthetic, similar to what is used for dental procedures or epidurals,” Blankfield said. “It’s a nerve block, akin to restarting a heart — temporarily switching off nerve cells so they can function normally once again.”
Although used for nearly a century to treat chronic pain, the SGB’s potential for PTSD emerged about 20 years ago in the U.S. and Australia. Conventional PTSD treatments such as therapy and medication show limited success, whereas Stella reports response rates of 68% to 78%.
A 2023 peer-reviewed study of over 280 patients treated with SGB found severe anxiety scores (GAD-7 average of 15.9) dropped by nine points within a week. More than 200 patients maintained clinically meaningful improvement a month later. Israeli data mirrored these outcomes, with PTSD severity scores (PCL) dropping from 51 to 33 on average — far exceeding the 10-point threshold considered clinically significant.
Blankfield noted that hyperarousal often prevents patients from benefiting from standard therapies. By calming the nervous system, SGB enables them to engage more fully in therapeutic work. He compared it to emerging PTSD treatments, such as MDMA therapy, recently reclassified for clinical use in Australia.
“People are returning to work, rejoining reserves, and moving back home with their families,” Blankfield said. “We can treat symptoms effectively. Patients may not be perfect, but they can achieve significant relief.”
Beyond symptom relief, Blankfield emphasized that the treatment restores hope, often lost when traditional methods fail. Having served in Israel’s IDF and witnessed the toll of PTSD on soldiers and communities, he was inspired to bring Stella treatment to Israel after discovering its research in 2021.
The recent conflict in Israel has amplified the need, with estimates suggesting up to 3 million citizens may develop PTSD. In the U.S., SGB is FDA-approved for pain and used off-label for PTSD; in Israel, Stella operates under a Ministry of Health 29A approval. Philanthropic support from U.S. donors has made the treatment accessible, and soldiers now receive it fully covered, with subsidized options for reservists, survivors, and evacuees.
Among patients benefiting from the therapy is 32-year-old Josh Malchman, an IDF veteran with recognized PTSD. Years of insomnia, night terrors, and medication dependence worsened after recent hostilities. Following SGB treatment, he reported immediate improvements: reduced need for sleep aids, decreased reliance on medical cannabis, and a return to normal daily functioning.
Blankfield is determined to expand access further. “When I started with Stella, zero patients had access. Now thousands do. I won’t stop until millions can benefit,” he said.
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