Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful viral condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. After initial infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissues, sometimes reactivating later in life due to stress, weakened immunity, or aging. Shingles typically presents as a painful rash with fluid-filled blisters, often affecting one side of the body or face. For many patients, the pain resolves as the rash heals, but some develop post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a persistent and debilitating nerve pain that can last for months or years. Acupuncture, with its holistic approach to health, offers an effective and safe treatment for both acute shingles symptoms and lingering PHN. This shingles acupuncture case report illustrates how a 56-year-old man achieved remarkable relief from shingles and PHN through acupuncture.
Our Shingles Patient
The patient, Mr. Davis, first came to Raleigh Acupuncture Associates three weeks after developing shingles. His symptoms began with a tingling sensation on the left side of his back, followed by an intensely painful rash. Although his doctor prescribed antiviral medication, the rash had not fully healed, and he continued to experience severe nerve pain. The pain disrupted his sleep, reduced his ability to work, and left him feeling irritable and fatigued. Concerned about the potential for long-term PHN, he sought acupuncture as a complementary therapy.
Understanding Shingles
From a Western medicine perspective, shingles results from viral inflammation in the nerve roots, causing pain and skin lesions. Acupuncture’s effectiveness lies in its ability to modulate the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and promote healing by increasing blood circulation and releasing endorphins. Chinese medicine views shingles through a different lens, diagnosing it as a condition caused by pathogenic heat, dampness, and wind, often stemming from an underlying deficiency in the body’s qi (vital energy) or yin. In Mr. Davis’s case, his pattern was identified as Liver Qi stagnation generating fire, combined with underlying Spleen Qi deficiency. This imbalance allowed the external pathogen to invade, resulting in pain, redness, and blistering.
Shingles Acupuncture Treatment Protocol
In this shingles acupuncture case report, Mr. Davis’s treatment protocol included acupoints to clear heat, resolve dampness, and regulate Liver Qi. We used acupoints LI11 (Quchi) and SP10 (Xuehai) to cool the blood and reduce inflammation. GB34 (Yanglingquan) and LV3 (Taichong) helped harmonize the Liver and resolve Qi stagnation, alleviating pain and stress. In addition, we incorporated local ashi points around the affected area to directly address the shingles rash and associated pain. As the blisters began to dry up and scab, we added ST36 (Zusanli) and SP6 (Sanyinjiao) to strengthen Spleen Qi and boost the patient’s overall immune function.
Excellent Progress
Within three sessions, Mr. Davis reported noticeable improvements. The lesions began to heal faster, and his pain levels decreased by approximately 50%. By the sixth session, the rash had entirely resolved, and he could sleep through the night for the first time since the outbreak began. Encouraged by this progress, he continued treatment to address lingering nerve pain.
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Post-herpetic neuralgia is notoriously difficult to treat with conventional methods, often requiring long-term use of medications like gabapentin, which carry potential side effects. Acupuncture, however, has demonstrated remarkable success in reducing nerve pain by improving circulation, nourishing the nerves, and calming overactive pain signals. For Mr. Davis’s PHN, we selected acupoints GB20 (Fengchi), BL17 (Geshu), and SI3 (Houxi) to enhance blood and Qi flow along the affected meridians and alleviate the deep, burning nerve pain. We also employed electroacupuncture around the thoracic nerve roots to enhance stimulation and accelerate healing.
Nerve Pain Relief
Over the next four weeks, Mr. Davis experienced steady improvements in his nerve pain. By his eighth session, he described his discomfort as minimal and intermittent, a significant relief compared to the constant, severe pain he initially endured. He expressed gratitude for acupuncture’s ability to resolve a condition he had feared might persist for years. With no adverse side effects and a non-invasive approach, acupuncture had given him a renewed sense of control over his health.
Shingles Acupuncture Case Report
This shingles acupuncture case report highlights acupuncture’s dual benefits in treating both the acute phase of shingles and the chronic phase of PHN. By addressing the root cause of imbalance in the body, acupuncture not only relieved Mr. Davis’s immediate pain but also prevented the long-term complications often associated with shingles. Furthermore, the holistic approach of Chinese medicine empowered the patient to make dietary and lifestyle changes that supported his recovery, including reducing stress and improving his overall vitality.
Conclusion
The integration of acupuncture into Mr. Davis’s treatment plan underscores its potential as a complementary therapy for shingles and PHN. It provides an effective alternative to medication, especially for patients seeking a natural and side-effect-free approach to pain management. For Mr. Davis, acupuncture was a turning point in his healing journey, allowing him to return to his active lifestyle without the burden of chronic pain. This shingles acupuncture case report demonstrates how acupuncture, rooted in ancient traditions and validated by modern research, can offer transformative results for complex conditions like shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia.
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What our Clients are Saying
I got the shingles shot and still got shingles! Anyway, a friend had gotten relief at Raleigh Acupuncture for her shingles, so I tried it. What a huge difference. The first week, before getting acupuncture, my pain levels from the rash were 10 out of 10. As soon as I started my acupuncture, the pain decreased. They had me better within a few weeks. I was thrilled and am very grateful.
My wife had gone through shingles a few years back and had gotten relief from acupuncture. So when I got it, we called the next day and set up an appointment. The docs at Raleigh Acupuncture are now two for two, helping both of us. Thank you!
I developed a terrible case of shingles last year. The rash ran from back to front. It was burning, painful and very itchy. I was beside myself. I had been to Raleigh Acupuncture for knee pain and decided to call to see if they could help. Sure enough, they said come in immediately. I’m so glad that I did. I felt better after the first treatment. I ended up having about half a dozen treatments over the course of two weeks. They completely resolved my shingles. I strongly suggest you try acupuncture for shingles. It works amazingly.
