Acupuncture Beats Drugs For Shingles Nerve Pain

 27 MAY 2014 

Acupuncture combined with moxibustion was determined more effective than the drug gabapentin for the treatment of shingles, herpes zoster. New research compared the effects of acupuncture followed by local moxibustion against a group that received gabapentin and sham acupuncture. The true acupuncture group had an effective rate of 94% and the drug group had an effective rate of 86%. 

Gabapentin (neurontin) is a pharmaceutical medication often used to treat nerve pain, especially in cases nerve pain due to shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia). True acupuncture was applied to Ashi points. Sham acupuncture is a form of simulated acupuncture used to help establish controls in clinical investigations and assists in ruling out the placebo effect. In this study, sham non-acupuncture points were needled in the distal region of the herpetic lesions. This type of sham control has received recent criticism by researchers in that sham needling may provide medical benefits thereby skewing data towards underestimating the healing powers of true acupuncture.

Moxibustion involves burning herbs, usually Ai Ye (mugwort), near the skin to provide penetrating warmth. Moxibustion is often combined with acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists in clinical settings. In this study, moxibustion (moxa) was applied for 15 minutes in the region of the lesions.

The treatment of shingles has historically been treated by acupuncture within the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system for well over 1,000 years. This new research confirms the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of nerve pain related to the sequela of shingles. The team estimated the cost of care for both groups and determined that acupuncture is both effective and cost-effective for the treatment of nerve pain due to shingles.

TCM
The historical treatment of shingles with acupuncture often involves, according to TCM principles, the treatment of endogenous damp heat. A Zang-Fu diagnosis may confirm excess liver and gallbladder fire and exogenous toxins. Treatment may involve acupuncture points LI11 (Quchi), SP10 (Xuehai), UB40 (Weizhong), GB34 (Yanglingquan) and LV3 (Taichong). According to TCM principles, this combination of acupuncture points dispels wind, clears heat toxins, clears heat in the blood and clears liver and gallbladder damp heat.

Reference:
Huang, S. X., M. Mao, J. J. Pu, Y. H. Chen, L. Deng, H. Zhao, M. J. Geng et al. "Clinical research on fire filiform needle combined with mild moxibustion for postherpetic neuralgia." Zhongguo zhen jiu [Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion] 34, no. 3 (2014): 225.

Credit Reference: http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1314-acupuncture-beats-drugs-for-shingles-nerve-pain#sthash.CXC1HFsi.dpuf

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Space Coast Wellness Center
321.610.8935
466 North Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, FL
spacecoastwellnesscenter@gmail.com

Location: We are conveniently located at 466 North Harbor City Boulevard in Melbourne, Florida.  At the corner of US 1 and Babcock St.

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What Can Acupuncture Do for Me?

Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat a host of health problems, such as joint pain and sprains, stress, skin problems, infertility, PMS, menopause, and most gynecological complaints

It's also an extremely effective, drug free, non-surgical adjunct to cancer treatment, and is particularly helpful in treating the serious side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It can successfully treat many autoimmune diseases such as lupus and fibromyalgia. It is also a powerful tool to help relieve post-operative pain and reduce scarring, both internal and external.

Many other conditions can be treated too. Among the most responsive are muscoluskeletal problems such as sciatica, low back pain, and arthritis; Circulatory problems like high or low blood pressure, or cold hands and feet; nervous system imbalances, especially anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, or depression; asthma and allergy and sinus problems; and digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea or constipation.

We often treat headaches, vertigo, sports and stress injuries, skin problems, fatigue and chronic pain.

Acupuncture has been found to be especially useful for detoxification from addictive substances such as drugs, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and cigarettes.

Oriental Medicine is particularly effective at treating emotional disorders such as phobias, grief, and anger; and non-somatic symptoms of which there seems no organic cause.

It's not only good if your sick, but it balances the body's systems and promotes good health and well-being so you are then able to handle the stresses of everyday life more easily, and minor health issues can be resolved before they become major problems.

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Space Coast Wellness Center
321.610.8935
466 North Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne, FL
spacecoastwellnesscenter@gmail.com
www.spacecoastwellnesscenter.com

Location: We are conveniently located at 466 North Harbor City Boulevard in Melbourne, Florida.  At the corner of US 1 and Babcock St.

The Wellness Center specializes in Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Natural Medicine, Massage Therapy, Homeopathic Treatments, Herbal and Alternative and Integrated medicine. Serving Melbourne, Palm Bay, Brevard County and the greater Florida Space Coast County.