It is a skin rash caused by the same virus that cuases chickenpox. This virus is called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV) and belongs to the herpes family of viruses. After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives dormant in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certian circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency or with cancer, the virus reactivates and causes shingles. In most cases of shingles, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for the development of shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60. It has been estimated that up to 1,000,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the US.

  

Acupuncture can help by:

  

Acupuncture stimulates the brain to release chemicals (neurotransmitters and opioids) into the body that reduce sensitivity to pain and normalize the nervous system.

 

Acupuncture activates nerve receptors that decrease or "gate-out" (like a gate being closed) pain signals.

 

Acupuncture with electrical stimulation interrupts the pain signal allowing the nerve to calm down thereby reducing pain.

 

Acupuncture increases the amount of endorphins in the body and focuses them on the affected areas. These natural chemicals reduce inflammation that can cause, or be a result of, nerve pain.

 

Acupuncture promotes actual healing by altering the body's electrical system to allow the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissue thereby reducing the amount of recovery time.

 

The intent of acupuncture treatments is to strengthen the immune system, the primary cause of the outbreak. Depending where the lesions are on the body, the acupuncture physician can target a treatment protocol based on where the lesions intersect the meridians.

 

For those that are resistant to or do not wish to take medications, acupuncture is an excellent and effective therapy for treating the pain associated with shingles.

  

The pain and the rash can be effectively treated by acupuncture!

  

  

  

We are excited to announce that we are now in-network with Cigna PPO and OAP (Open Access). Please feel free to give us a call and we can check on your acupuncture benefits!