Our goal in treating shingles is to reduce symptoms, reduce pain, create comfort and facilitate a swift recovery time. Shingles can manifest in three distinct patterns, despite being rooted in the varicella-zoster virus. Chinese medicine provides a poetic description for each of these patterns, and the choice of acupuncture points during treatment depends on the specific outbreak pattern.

● Pattern 1 – Blazing Fire in the Liver and Gallbladder: In this pattern, the skin lesions appear as red, hot, fluid-filled blisters with a burning sensation resembling pinpricks. Patients experiencing this pattern often feel overheated, irritable, have a dry mouth, and excessive thirst. We often can associate this with high stress levels, excessive work demands, alcohol and sugar consumption, or a generally poor diet. Our treatment principle focuses on clearing the liver and draining this excess heat. We choose acupuncture points to regulate liver qi, clear heat, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, address stress, and boost the immune system. While outbreaks often occur on the left side of the stomach, wrapping around to the back, we use acupuncture points throughout the body to create balance.

● Pattern 2 – Damp Heat: This pattern is characterized by large blisters filled with yellow fluid, which may be more susceptible to infection due to thin and easily broken walls. Individuals in this pattern often have a poor appetite and digestion. Treatment for this pattern also involves heat drainage but is distinguished by an association with dampness. We use acupuncture points, such as Spleen 9 and San Jiao 5, to address the dampness and facilitate heat drainage.

● Pattern 3 – Stagnation of Qi & Blood: This pattern typically refers to post-herpetic pain, often affecting fatigued and elderly individuals. The pain can be sharp or sore, exacerbated by movement, and is accompanied by fatigue, restlessness, loss of appetite, and poor sleep. We believe that most pain is a stagnation of energy (qi) and blood. In treating this pattern, we focus on moving and building qi to promote the smooth circulation of blood.