Are you suffering from the pain of shingles? Concerned about the rash? Have you heard about the possible on going effects? Then spend a moment with us while we help you find some answers and relief.

What is Shingles?

Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is an infectious disease that effects up to twenty percent of the population at some point in their lives. Resulting from a reactivation of the Chicken Pox virus (varicella-zoster) shingles affects the skin and nervous tissues.

Early signs of the infection can be similar to a cold or flu, with neck or spine stiffness, mild fever and possible headache. In some the pain then localizes and can become more severe, at this stage the problem can be mistaken for numerous other conditions ranging from muscle or joint problems to heart attack.

After about 4 days the rash begins to emerge. The virus follows the nerve and the rash erupts along the nerves path. Numerous, excruciatingly painful and itchy blisters develop, There is often a burning sensation and extreme sensitivity to touch. Generally you may feel extremely unwell, sleep is usually a big problem and it is common to need two or three weeks off work. The rash normally lasts between seven and fourteen days. These blisters eventually form crusty scabs and drop off.

Since the virus can effect different nerve locations it should always be examined and treated by a healthcare professional. Shingles can lead to blindness, deafness or facial paralysis if it affects the upper nerves.

However, the most common complication of Shingles is perhaps the hardest to treat. Even worse, it often does not manifest until the virus has had time to "entrench" itself in the body, making anti-viral drugs of little use. This is Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), the severe pain that can remain with shingles sufferer’s months and occasionally even years after the blisters have healed. It is estimated that in some populations, as many as half will develop Post-Herpetic Neuralgia. Many liken the excruciating pain to the feeling of skin being ripped off or burned. Others say that the pain is worse than that of childbirth, a heart attack, or a war injury. Often the pain of PHN does not respond to medication and thus leaves patients depressed undernourished, dehydrated, and even suicidal.

Numerous natural treatments are available for speeding recovery, reducing the pain and preventing the onset of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia. One of the best known is Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Homeopathy is often effective and Naturopaths can help with herbal and nutritional support. Our search service can help you locate a practitioner in you area.

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Shingles.

Acupuncture has a long history of treating painful conditions, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pain is the result of the stagnation of Energy (Qi, pronounced as Chi) or Blood and can be caused by external factors such as trauma or infection or by internal factors such as emotional issues or build up of waste from insufficient activity of the organs.

Acupuncture is a very effective method of stimulating/regulating the movement of Qi and Blood and help reduce the pain and speed the recovery.

According to George T. Lewith M.A., M.R.C.G.P., M.R.C.P. Post-Herpetic Neuralgia is an uncommon disease in China; this may be because the Chinese treat all cases of shingles with acupuncture before the PHN can develop. There are other possible explanations for its decreased incidence in China, perhaps PHN is affected by diet, or racial characteristics; however, it is much more reasonable to suggest that the dearth of PHN in China is due to the daily treatment of shingles with acupuncture. It seems that of those patients with established PHN, about 40 per cent gain some degree of long-term benefit from acupuncture.

Geranium Oil relieves Shingles Pain

A study in The American Journal of Medicine (2003;115:586–7). Indicates that people suffering from Shingles pain may get relief by using topical geranium oil (Pelargonium spp.) the new study suggests that geranium oil may help in a matter of minutes. This is in stark contrast to more conventional medical approaches such as acyclovir (Zovirax®), famciclovir (Famvir®), or valacyclovir (Valtrex®) which may reduce the pain in some individuals but may take days or weeks to be effective,

In the study, 30 adults with post-herpetic neuralgia were assigned to receive one of five topical treatments. The groups received

100% geranium oil,

50% geranium oil in mineral oil,

10% geranium oil in mineral oil,

mineral oil only, or

0.025% capsaicin cream.

Measurements of spontaneous and evoked pain were taken at 2, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after application of the respective topical treatment.

Pain was reduced in all participants receiving geranium oil and the degree of pain reduction was proportional to the amount of geranium oil in the topical mixture. Thus, those using 100% geranium oil had greater pain relief than those using 10% geranium oil. All groups receiving geranium oil had significant reductions in spontaneous and evoked pain, compared with those using plain mineral oil.

Since geranium oil can evoke skin reactions it is best used under the supervision of a healthcare professional and in conjunction with other support therapies. Suitable therapists would include Naturopaths, aroma therapists and TCM practitioners.