Acupuncture for Shingles

Acupuncture for shingles is a natural and effective way to deal with this painful viral condition.

What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox. After recovering from chicken pox, the virus can lay dormant in the nerve tissue and then becomes reactivated, sometimes many years later. A period or stress, illness, or medical treatment such as chemotherapy can trigger this reactivation. It’s most common in people over 50.

Shingles can start with feeling unwell, as well as a headache, fever, and a burning or itchy sensation on the skin. A painful rash then may appear on one side of the body, that may blister and then scab over.

There is no cure for shingles, but conventional treatments include anti-viral medication and pain relief. There is a vaccine available for the over-50s.

In Chinese medicine shingles occurs when there is weakness in our defensive Qi and an invasion of toxic-heat and/or damp-heat. We often see the shingles rash appear along the gallbladder and liver meridians, both of which are susceptible to these pathogens.

Can acupuncture help shingles?

Acupuncture works to harmonise the balance of qi, strengthening our defences and clearing the pathogen from the body. It is particularly effective at reducing pain and speeding up recovery. Acupuncture is also a very effective way to manage stress and improve immunity so that you are less susceptible to stress-related illnesses.

The number of acupuncture treatments you need will depend on how acute or chronic the condition is. To find out more about your specific symptoms and how acupuncture can help, why not book in for a free 15-minute telephone consultation.

Book in for a free 15-minute telephone consultation