Shingles, neuralgia and skin symptoms that can be painful for patients. Acupuncture, as a treasure of traditional Chinese medicine, has shown unique efficacy in the treatment of shingles in recent years. In this episode, we will learn how acupuncture can help relieve the symptoms of shingles and restore the health of patients.
On-line doctor: Zheng Minqin
Director of Traditional Characteristic Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Fuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Deputy Chief Physician and Master's Supervisor
There is indeed a professional mentor and instructor
Topic of this issue: Acupuncture for shingles
Herpes zoster neuralgia
Herpes zoster neuralgia is a neuralgia condition caused by infection with the herpes zoster virus (chickenpox virus). When a person has chickenpox, the virus can be latent in the body and may subsequently reactivate at some point in the future, leading to the onset of shingles neuralgia.
Specific performance
The main symptom of shingles neuralgia is the appearance of a blistering rash on the skin, accompanied by a severe feeling of neuralgia. This pain usually extends along the area of distribution of the infected nerve from around the spine to the chest or abdomen, but it can also occur in other areas. The pain is usually constant, stabbing, and sometimes very intense, making it unbearable for the patient.
Pain seriously affects the patient's life, learning, socialization, diet and sleep, resulting in a significant decrease in the quality of life, and further psychosocial problems such as anxiety, depression, and mania may occur.
Which factors are easy
Causing "sequelae"
There are six main risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia:
Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to develop chronic pain.
Gender: Women are more likely to develop chronic pain than men.
Antecedent: If there is significant pain before the rash appears, there is a high chance of developing chronic pain.
Skin lesions: the longer the blister lasts, the longer the rash resolves, the more blisters, the wider the lesion, the warmer the lesion, and the more pronounced the skin paresthesias, the more likely it is to develop chronic pain.
Herpetic pain: The more severe the herpetic pain, the more likely it is to develop chronic pain.
Herpes in specific areas: Herpes zoster that appears on the face (especially the eyes), perineum, and upper extremities is more likely to develop into chronic pain.
Acupuncture treatment for shingles
The principle of acupuncture in the treatment of herpes zoster is to relieve fire and detoxification, clear dampness and heat, and relieve pain. With acupuncture, neuralgia and other symptoms caused by shingles can be effectively relieved.
Milliacupuncture: A commonly used acupuncture method that stimulates the corresponding acupuncture points to adjust qi and blood and relieve pain.
Triangular acupuncture and bloodletting plus cupping: Acupuncture is carried out in the rash area of shingles, a small amount of blood is released, and then cupping is carried out to achieve the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, activating blood and removing blood stasis.
Plum Blossom Needle Percussion: Plum Blossom Needle Percussion on the skin can stimulate the meridians and relieve pain.
Fire acupuncture treatment: For patients with hot poison Yongsheng, fire acupuncture can be used for treatment to relieve fire and detoxify.
Electroacupuncture treatment: During the recovery period, electroacupuncture treatment can be added to promote nerve repair and pain relief.
Timing of acupuncture treatment
Acute phase: In the acute phase of shingles, that is, within 7-10 days after the rash appears, acupuncture treatment can effectively control the condition and reduce symptoms.
Convalescence: During the convalescence period, acupuncture treatment can promote nerve repair and reduce the occurrence of posterior neuralgia.
Precautions for acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture treatment should be carried out by a professional physician and should not be performed blindly.
Attention should be paid to sterilizing needles during acupuncture to avoid local secondary infection during needle pricking.
For patients with different conditions, the treatment plan and acupuncture point selection may be different, and the treatment plan needs to be developed according to the specific situation.
Disclaimer
This article aims to popularize health science, to help you understand diseases and medications, the content of popular science can not replace the doctor's diagnosis and treatment opinions, for reference only, if you have related health problems, please consult a doctor in time.
Introduced by the doctor
Zheng Minqin
Director of the Traditional Characteristic Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Deputy Chief Physician, Master's Tutor, Master of Medicine, and Instructor with Expertise. In 2017, he was a visiting scholar of domestic high-level talents in Xinjiang (Sichuan Province Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture), and in 2017, he was a visiting scholar of Chinese medicine in Fujian Province (Lai Xinsheng Famous Old Chinese Medicine Studio of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine), and in September 2023, he went to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences for further study. He studied under Professor Lai Xinsheng and Chief Physician of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chief Physician Yuan Shanghua of the Department of Preventive Treatment of Diseases of the East Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Professor Wu Binghuang of the Chinese Medicine Hall of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chief Physician Li Yingkun of Sichuan Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, and Chief Physician Xu Shanning of Fuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. At present, he is the heir of the fourth batch of famous old Chinese medicine in Fujian Province, and studied under Professor Zheng Lisheng of Fuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, chief physician. He is also a member of the Fuzhou Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society, a director of the Fuzhou Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a member of the Standing Committee of the Pediatric Massage Branch of the Fujian Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Scientific research: He has published one SCI paper, published many papers in provincial journals, and two research projects.