Does acupuncture offer pain relief for individuals suffering from shingles?
In the battle against shingles, a viral infection that reactivates the varicella-zoster virus, many treatment options are available. One such option that has gained attention is acupuncture.
Acupuncture, a technique involving the use of thin metal needles to stimulate channels, or meridians, on a person's body, may provide relief for both shingles and its common complication, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is a severe, ongoing nerve pain that can last for an extended period, often causing significant discomfort for those affected.
Current evidence suggests that acupuncture, including electroacupuncture, can effectively reduce pain intensity, relieve anxiety, and improve quality of life in patients suffering from PHN. This is often with better efficacy than some conventional medications such as pregabalin, carbamazepine, and certain vitamins [1].
The pain-relieving effects of acupuncture are thought to involve stimulation of sensory fibers that activate spinal and brain mechanisms inhibiting pain transmission, triggering the release of natural painkillers like endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. It also improves local blood flow and modulates neuroimmune pathways involved in chronic sensitization [1].
Clinical reports mention that patients with shingles and PHN may benefit from adjunctive therapies such as electroacupuncture, especially when conventional treatments are insufficient or poorly tolerated [2]. Acupuncture's influence on central autonomic networks, including effects on the vagus nerve, may also contribute to its therapeutic effects by regulating neuroimmune and inflammatory responses [3].
However, while acupuncture shows promise, the overall evidence base is still limited, and there remain gaps in high-quality large-scale randomized controlled trials to firmly establish efficacy and best protocols in shingles-related pain and PHN. Acupuncture is considered a complementary approach rather than a first-line treatment currently [4].
In addition to acupuncture, other treatments for shingles include over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen, cool water baths with added baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, or colloidal oatmeal, and a clean, damp, cool washcloth applied to the shingles rash several times a day for relief. Calamine lotion may provide a soothing and cooling effect on the skin after shingles blisters have scabbed over [5].
For those looking to prevent shingles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the Shingrix vaccine for healthy adults aged 50 years and older. Shingrix offers powerful protection against shingles and PHN, although it is not a treatment [6].
In summary, while there is currently no known cure for shingles, many treatment options are available, including acupuncture. This ancient practice, with its potential to modulate pain pathways and inflammation, may offer relief for those struggling with the discomfort of shingles and PHN. However, it is essential to remember that vaccination against shingles remains the cornerstone of prevention, and antiviral plus pharmacological pain treatments remain important in management [2][5].
References:
[1] Jiao, R., et al. (2019). Acupuncture for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pain Research, 12, 1691–1703.
[2] MacPhee, A. J., et al. (2020). Acupuncture for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10, CD006248.
[3] Bai, Y., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 36(3), 219–229.
[4] Ernst, E., & Lee, M. (2008). Acupuncture for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: A systematic review. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 66(4), 474–482.
[5] CDC. (2021). Shingles. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html
[6] CDC. (2021). Shingles Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/vaccination.html
- Acupuncture, a traditional practice involving thin metal needles, can potentially reduce pain intensity and relieve anxiety in patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a severe complication of shingles.
- Electroacupuncture, a variant of acupuncture, may provide additional benefits for shingles patients when conventional treatments are insufficient or poorly tolerated.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the Shingrix vaccine as a preventive measure against shingles for healthy adults aged 50 years and older.
- Skin care treatments such as cool water baths, baking soda, uncooked oatmeal, colloidal oatmeal, and calamine lotion may provide relief for shingles rashes.
- Science continues to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating shingles-related pain and PHN, with high-quality large-scale randomized controlled trials still limited.
