Most people who develop shingles find that within a few days after symptoms begin their immune system is able to fight the virus, and that is the end of the story. However, some patients find that they experience pain for months or even years after the shingles rash is gone. This pain is called Post-herpetic Neuralgia.
Anyone can get post-herpetic neuralgia, but it is more common in people older than 50. Individuals who have certain underlying health conditions like diabetes or cancer are also more likely to have lingering pain after shingles. Additionally, more women suffer from this condition than men.
Post-herpetic neuralgia can dramatically impact patients’ quality of life. Because it is nerve pain, this type of chronic pain can be among the most severe pain that these patients have ever experienced. It can cause insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and other challenges.
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is caused by damage to the nerves from the virus that causes shingles. This damage creates exaggerated and distorted messages to the brain, causing pain that can be debilitating.
In allopathic medicine there is no cure for PHN. Standard Western treatments include pharmaceutical medications to relieve the pain, ranging from steroids to prescription painkillers, antidepressants, and stronger medications like opioids may be used.
Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to treat the symptoms of post-herpetic neuralgia. Acupuncture works in several ways, most importantly reducing pain and inflammation. Acupuncture therapy also helps to speed the healing of the nerves, and Chinese herbal medicines with anti viral properties are sometimes used to make sure that all remnants of the virus have been eliminated from the body. Research shows that acupuncture is very effective for reducing chronic pain. Acupuncture has been uses for over 1,000 years to treat chronic pain such as post-hermetic neuralgia.
Orlando Acupuncture
Dr. John Barnett and his team at Orlando Acupuncture are some of Florida’s best and most experienced doctors when it comes to Chinese medicine. Treatments of chronic pain caused by conditions like PHN and complex immune disorders such as fibromyalgia are among Dr. Barnett’s specialties.
Dr. Barnett has developed specific protocols for Post Herpatic Neuralgia over his 20 years of experience. He uses advanced clinical techniques such as DNA acupuncture to provide rapid, lasting results with treatments that are painless and relaxing! Many patients are relieved to find out that they are not required to remove clothing with this style of acupuncture, as most of the acupuncture points used in our treatments are from the knees to the toes, and elbow to fingers, resulting in a quick, pleasant, and effective treatment.
Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment that can help with other symptoms often found in chronic pain cases such as anxiety and depression. At Orlando Acupuncture we want our patients to experience good mental and physical health.
If you or someone that you know is suffering from PHN contact the clinic to find out is Dr. Barnett’s revolutionary protocols can help you.
