Shingles

Shingles or Herpes zoster is a skin disease caused by chickenpox.

When a person has had chickenpox at a young age, the virus can remain latent within the body and go on to cause herpes zoster later in life when the immune system is weakened.

The itchy rash is extremely contagious in the initial stages. After the blistering has dried the risk of infection disappears.

The sooner the patient begins with acupuncture, the better. Acupuncture works to strengthen the immune system and quicken the healing process by inserting needles around the affected areas. Acupuncture can also provide relief from residual nerve pain experienced after the rash has subsided (postherpetic neuralgia). This condition can often require more treatments.