Introduction
Shingles is a painful viral disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It mainly affects adults and people in poor health. Symptoms include skin rashes, intense burning and sometimes persistent pain known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
More and more patients are turning to acupuncture, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside medical treatment, to reduce pain, speed up healing and limit complications.
In this article, find out how acupuncture can help with shingles, backed by scientific data.
What is shingles?
- An infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which lies dormant in the nerve ganglia.
- Reactivation is encouraged by: lowered immunity, stress, fatigue, age.
- Symptoms:
- Tingling, burning or pain before the rash appears.
- Clusters of blisters on a specific area of the body.
- Nerve pain that sometimes persists (post-herpetic neuralgia).
Acupuncture and shingles: how does it work?
Acupuncture may act on several mechanisms:
- Pain relief: release of endorphins and modulation of the central nervous system.
- Reduced inflammation: improved local circulation and stimulation of the immune defences.
- Nerve recovery: prevention or reduction of chronic neuralgia.
👉 Acupuncture is the subject of extensive research for the relief of neuropathic pain.
Scientific studies on acupuncture and shingles
- A literature review published in 2019 observed that acupuncture, combined with conventional care, might reduce the pain and duration of symptoms of shingles.
- A clinical study (Li et al., 2018) observed that patients treated with acupuncture had less post-herpetic neuralgia than those who received medication alone.
Benefits of acupuncture for shingles
✔️ May help to reduce pain.
✔️ Can support skin healing.
✔️ May help to limit lasting nerve damage.
✔️ A natural approach; side effects are uncommon and usually mild when performed by a trained practitioner.
✔️ A complement to conventional medical treatments.
Conclusion
Shingles can be a very painful and disabling disease. Acupuncture can be a natural and complementary approach to help relieve pain, support healing and limit complications.
If you have shingles, consulting a qualified therapist may help you improve your comfort and quality of life.