Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication and sequela (residual) of shingles/herpes zoster. It can termendously affect the life and emotional experience of a person. Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Facial Neuralgia from Shingles is about facial pain and dysfunction from PHN. Specifically, acupuncture can provide natural pain relief and restore function for PHN patients.
What is Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that is not life threatening. Typically, pain, itching, or tingling in the area will develop. Often this may happen several days before the rash appears. Although shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it often appears as a single line of blisters. The blisters usually scab over in 7 to 10 days and fully clears up within 2 to 4 weeks.
Shingles is caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox called the varicella-zoster virus. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles. Shingles is triggered by a weakened or compromised immune system. Emotional stress is considered a trigger for shingles because it has been shown to weaken the body’s immune system. This can happen in those who face chronic work or life stress.
What is Post-Herpetic Neuralgia?
Post herpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of shingles. The condition affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning pain that lasts long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear.
The risk of post herpetic neuralgia increases with age, primarily affecting people older than 60. There’s no cure, but acupuncture can help.
Shingles triggers a painful rash on your skin that follows nerve pathways, causing a massive amount of inflammation and agitated nerves. A trip to the pain management clinic for the unbelievable pain is understandable, but it may not be the solution. All they can do is pump you full of drugs and wait out the virus.
Ramsey Hunt Syndrome/ Peripheral Facial Paralysis
Firstly, the cause of facial paralysis of Ramsey Hunt Syndrome can be reactivation of the herpes zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion. And the geniculate ganglion is a crucial sensory part of the facial nerve (Cranial nerve VII). It is located in your temporal bone in your skull. The facial nerve carries both motor and sensory fibers. It is the 7th cranial nerve and carries nerve fibers that control facial movement and expression. The nerve is also involved in taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue). Moreover, it carries general sensation (touch, pain, temperature) from the outer ear (pinna), ear canal, and eardrum.It has small branches involved in moderating our sensitivity to noise volume (stapedius muscle). Additionally, it provides motor function for tear/saliva production.
Secondly, in cases like Ramsay Hunt Syndrome there is inflammation. This causes severe ear pain and facial paralysis. It is the second most frequent cause of non-traumatic peripheral (Nerves outside the brain/spine) facial paralysis. So Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears. Furthermore, in addition to the painful shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis. It can even cause hearing loss in the affected ear. Patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, may also experience ringing in the ears (tinnitus). And even a sensation of vertigo (spinning or moving). Additionally, because of the difficulty closing one eye, dry eyes can occur.
Postherpetic neuralgia/ Trigeminal Nerve Pain
Firstly, an outbreak of herpes zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles can affect the trigeminal nerve as well. This is the fifth cranial nerve. It carries sensations from the face to the brain. The trigeminal nerve divides into three main branches, with each leading to a region of the face.
Secondly, the three main branches on each side of the head, with each branch connecting to a region of the face are: Ophthalmic (eyes), Maxillary (upper jaw), Mandibular (lower jaw). The nerve helps control functions such as biting, chewing and swallowing.
Thirdly, symptoms of trigeminal nerve pain include intense stabbing pain. The facial areas affected can be the lips, eyes, nose, scalp forehead and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia often affects one side, but can affect both sides at different times.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Facial Neuralgia from Shingles
Acupuncture has been confirmed as an effective and safe treatment for PHN by researchers. And the World Health Organization (WHO) supports Acupuncture for many ailments including PHN.
In one study, a young woman suffered unilateral (one sided) facial paralysis due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome. She received conventional treatment with acyclovir (antiviral medication), analgesics, corticosteroids and eye protection measures 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. At three weeks, due to the lack of improvement of the facial paralysis, acupuncture was started. An almost complete improvement was obtained at 14 weeks since the onset of the condition. The study showed Acupuncture and related noninvasive techniques such as chiropractic may be an effective alternative treatment for PHN. Moreover, there are very few adverse effects (side effects) with acupuncture.
How Does Acupuncture Help Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)?
Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems safely and effectively. Acupuncture consists of the insertion of one or several very thin metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways called meridians. This activates the body’s natural healing abilities. Ultimately, this brings balance back to your body. Indeed, Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions.
Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to our brain and nervous system. Recently, a team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School has looked at the underlying neuroanatomy of acupuncture that activates a specific signaling pathway. In this study, they specifically investigated acupuncture as a potential treatment for inflammation. They found “acupoints” or acupuncture points on the body’s surface are mechanically stimulated, triggering nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs. Ultimately, Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system.
Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for Post herpetic neuralgia and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience. Call today for your acupuncture treatment for PHN at 561-253-8984.
References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32379658/