Shingles - Herpes Zoster

She Chuan Chuang - Varicella-Zoster

Herpes Zoster/Shingles is a virus Cluster of vesicular eruptions along a ganglia root most commonly found in the hypochondriac regions but also in other areas like the head, face and abdomen.

The future eruption site will have pain 2-3 days prior to the eruptions. Once the eruptions arises crops of vesicles appear following one or more nerve fibers (dermatomes). The rash is accompanied by a debilitating pain which will last the 1-2 week duration of the blisters and can continue for months and in some cases even years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of Shingles - Damp Heat or Toxic Pathogenic Invasion  

Chinese Medicine Differentiation and Treatment

Stagnated Heat in the Liver meridian bright red with distended pain
Principle of Treatment – expel Wind-Heat, purge Liver and Gallbladder

Acupuncture points – Shaoyang, Jueyin, Hua Tou Jia Ji (at corresponding nerves areas), SJ 5, Liver 2, 3, 8, Gall bladder 43, Spleen 10, puncture around affected area very 2 cun,

*leave needles in patient for one to two hours

- irritable- Heart 7, Pericardium 4 (Xi-cleft)

- constipation- SJ 6

- face/neck eruptions- Large Intestine 4, Gall bladder 20

Herbal Formula: Huang Lian Jie Du Tang + Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang

Damp/Heat in Spleen meridian

Principle of Treatment – purge Heat, detoxify, eliminate Damp

Acupuncture points – Hua Tou Jia Ji, local, Spleen 6, 9, 10, Stomach 44 - Heat- Large Intestine 11, Du 14 - poor appetite- Ren 12, Stomach 25

Herbal Formula: Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang

Chronic (Blood Stasis) after eruptions are gone although pain still resides

Acupuncture points – ashi points, corresponding meridians (i.e. hypochondria region- Shaoyang points), back Shu, cupping,

Herbal Formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Alternative Treatment Methods for Herpes Zoster - Shingles 

Ear Acupuncture- Shenmen, subcortex, LU, LR, GB, Stomach

7 star Needle- around local, Hua Tou Jia Ji, strong stimulation, bleed slightly 2 times per day  

electrical- 2 pairs of needles surrounding the affected area, stimulate around area not across, medium strength

EXTERNAL Cream Treatments -

1st stage - Yu Lung Gao

2nd stage - Jing Huang Gao

- break big b ers to relieve discomfort

Always keep area clean and dry and avoid spicy, pungent, greasy, sweat foods.