Data Collection And Analysis
Selection of studies
A procedure for screening will be discussed and developed before the start of selection. Both the electronically searched outputs and the studies obtained from other sources will be cited in a database created by NoteExpress software. Two reviewers will independently screen all the titles and abstracts of studies to find out the duplicates, as well as to review the studies and decide whether they will be included according to the predefined inclusion criteria. If there are studies that could not be clearly included based on both titles and abstracts, full copies will be screened. Once any disagreement occurs, it will be resolved through discussion and resolved by reaching a consensus among the two reviewers , or by consulting a third arbitrator . In addition, the value calculated by / will be used to calculate the consistency evaluation between reviewers.
A Word About The Shingles Vaccine
If you are age 60 or over and have not had shingles, talk to your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine. Not only will it reduce your risk of developing shingles, but if you do develop shingles, youll be more likely to have a mild case. And, just as important, youll be much less likely to develop PHN if youve had the vaccine.
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Acupuncture In The Treatment Of Shingles And Postherpetic Neuralgia
Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of suffering from shingles and postherpetic neuralgia couls explain it is one of the worst most excruciating pains to have. Generally by the time I see someone the pain has persisted for longer than expected and the disease is at a tougher stage to treat, as it has become entrenched.Generally with acupuncture and herbs, if done from the onset, the progression of the disease can be staunched by boosting the immune system, and possibly with the introduction of herbs containing targeted anti-virals. Symptomatically points and herbs are chosed to reduce systemic inflammation, as well as specifically targeting nerves causing pain.
My preferred techniques for targeting the nerve pain are using distal techniques , Master Tongs/ Dr. Tans methods , channel theory, and Kiiko Matsumoto style.
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Strengths And Limitations Of This Study
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This study will be the first Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing various acupuncture therapies in the management of postherpetic neuralgia .
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Our study will comprehensively evaluate the effects of acupuncture therapy on pain intensity, emotional symptoms, sleep quality and life quality for patients with PHN.
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Our study will focus on the methods of acupuncture treatment, without consideration of acupoints selection or specific details of manual techniques.
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We will only search Chinese and English databases, which may result in language bias.
Carpal Tunnel Relief With Acupuncture
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The carpal tunnela narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the handcontains the median nerve and the tendons that bend the fingers. The median nerve provides feeling to the palm side of the thumb and the index, middle, and part of the ring finger . In addition, it controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb.
Acupuncture heals the carpal tunnel and the pinched median nerve at the wrist. This treatment, as opposed to surgery, restores normal function naturally, using your bodys innate healing potential. While it seems impossible, the proof is in the outcome acupuncture heals carpal tunnel for good, typically in just four to eight sessions.
People ask, How can acupuncture stop this debilitating pain, when doctors say surgery is required? Remember, acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Imagine what surgery will be able to accomplish after its been refined for over two thousand years!
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Common Questions & Answers
Does it hurt?
The needles are extremely thin, they are inserted with a gentle technique, and they cause virtually no pain because they are razor sharp. People often dont even realize when the needles are being inserted.
Will I have to keep coming forever?
The majority of patients dont need long-term maintenance. Once the condition is resolved, it stays that way. Many people opt to continue with treatments as they enjoy their sessions and multiple benefits they receive.
Will I have to spend a lot of time coming in for treatments?
Most of our patients achieve great results with weekly visits and following personal care guidelines. We can discuss this in more detail at your free consultation.
Is natural medicine REALLY powerful enough to resolve my shingles nerve pain?
Absolutely. Natural medicine actually helps your body make more of its own medicine, which is more powerful and potent than any man-made medicine.
How long does it take to see results?
People often feel a shift after the very first treatment. Acupuncture is a very powerful way to stimulate endorphins release, which is the most powerful relaxing substance the body makes.
What are my chances of success?
Results vary, of course. That being said, the majority of patients report improvement in severity of their pain and sensitivity associated with postherpetic neuralgia. However, your situation is unique and once we meet with you, we will be able to give you our best estimate of time and prognosis of outcome.
Pinched Nerve Relief With Acupuncture
Patients will often come to acupuncture describing pain in their neck that travels into the shoulder, down the arm, and into the fingers. The source of this pain is typically nerve impingement either in the neck or shoulder. Acupuncture relieves the impingement at the source by releasing tight muscles and then heals the damaged nerves. Furthermore, this approach is the most effective, natural method for resolving pinched nerve pain.
Sometimes the nerve is compressed by a bulging disc or cysts. In these cases, acupuncture increases qi and blood circulation to the area of impingement, dramatically speeding up your bodys ability to heal. The body can reabsorb bulging discs and protruding cysts, resolving the impingement at the source. Acupuncture resolves nerve pain best because it taps into the human bodys innate potential to heal itself, as opposed to masking the pain with medications or cutting out the problem with surgery.
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How Common Is Postherpetic Neuralgia
PHN is unusual in people aged under 50 and if it does occur it tends to be mild. PHN is more likely to develop and is more likely to be severe in people aged over 60. About 1 in 4 people aged over 60 who have shingles develop PHN that lasts more than 30 days. The older you are, the more likely it is that it will occur. It is also more common in those people who have had more severe shingles.
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Assessment Of Reporting Biases
Funnel plots will be used to assess reporting biases if 10 or more studies are included in a meta-analysis. Such a funnel plot asymmetry could be caused by publication or related biases, or by systematic differences between small and large studies. If a relationship is identified, the clinical diversity of the studies will be further examined as a possible explanation and described in the text. However, since graphical evaluation can be subjective, Eggers method will also be used to access the reporting biases.
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Acupuncture Points For Shingles
There are certain diagnostic patterns that are common withshingles, and in turn, there are specific acupuncture points that are obviouslynot universal for everyone, but are great treatment protocols to use as aguideline when taking on a shingles patient.
Wind-Heat Acupuncture Points for Shingles:
- UB40 Bend Middle Wei Zhong located at the midpoint of the transverse crease of the popliteal fossa between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosus. It is used to clear blood heat, and in the way of shingles aids in itching, oozing, inflammation, and good for heat conditions.
- SP10 Sea of Blood Xuehai located 2 cun above the superior medial border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris . It is also used to clear blood heat, and in the way of shingles aids in pain, swelling, itching, and skin problems from damp-heat or hot blood.
- LI11 Pool at the Bend Qu Chi located at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It clears heat, and in the way of shingles aids in damp heat skin diseases that are red, itchy, oozing, or inflamed.
Meridian Related Acupuncture Points forShingles:
Acupuncture And Shingles Pain
Its proponents claim that cupping can treat ailments such as shingles and facial paralysis. For those who suffer from back pain and are in need of a good massage, cupping is one way of. Aug 22, 2021 · , Acupuncture The short answer is, YES! Acupuncture can help with the nerve pain from shingles. Acupuncture
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What To Know About Acupuncture And Shingles
MedicalNewsToday
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Some evidence suggests that this alternative medicine can help relieve pain and may have some benefit for providing relief from painful complications of shingles.
Shingles is a viral infection resulting from the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus , which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , about 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime.
Shingles pain and other symptoms typically develop in stages over the course of the condition, which usually lasts for 35 weeks. A common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia , which is a severe, ongoing nerve pain that can last for months or years. Evidence suggests that 1018% of people who get shingles will experience PHN, and the risk of PHN increases with age.
While there is currently no known cure for shingles, many treatment options are available. Although acupuncture may remain controversial among some Western medical doctors and scientists, studies suggest that it can help relieve pain, such as discomfort from shingles.
In this article, we will discuss what acupuncture is, and the effectiveness of acupuncture and other treatment options for shingles.
What is acupuncture?Can it help with shingles? Can acupuncture trigger shingles? Other treatment options
Inclusion And Exclusion Criteria
Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Study strategy will be employed.
2.2.1. Types of studies
SRs and MAs of RCTs which evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for PHN, published in English and Chinese.
2.2.2. Types of participants
Participants who meet the diagnostic criteria of PHN, that is, pain in a dermatomal distribution sustained for at least 1 month after acute HZ. There are no restrictions on age, sex, or race of participants.
2.2.3. Type of interventions
Acupuncture therapy, including acupuncture, electroacupuncture , moxibustion, warm needling, manual acupuncture, fire needle, bloodletting, cupping, acupoint injection used as intervention for treating PHN, will be included.
2.2.4. Type of comparator /control
The control group’s treatment includes conventional drugs, sham acupuncture, placebo, no treatment, and any other therapies other than acupuncture therapy which are considered as comparators in SRs and MAs.
2.2.5. Types of outcome measurements
2.2.5.1. Primary outcomes
Pain intensity, measured by Numerical Rating Scale , Visual Analogue Scale , Verbal Rating Scale , McGill pain score, or other rating scales, will be recommended as the primary outcome.
2.2.5.2. Secondary outcomes
Secondary outcomes mainly include the following aspects:
2.2.6. Study design
SRs and MAs that contain more than 1 RCT will be included for further study. SRs and MAs without RCTs, reviews, and other overviews will be excluded.
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Shingles The Common Name For Herpes Zoster Is A Viral Disease Characterised By A Painful Skin Rash With Itchy Blisters Which Contain The Virus
Why the infection reappears in some people and not others is not fully understood, but it is suspected that increasing age, stress and lowered immunity may play a role. You cannot catch shingles from another person if you have already had chickenpox. But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you havent had chickenpox before.
Conventional treatment involves covering the rash to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others, medication for pain relief, and in severe cases, antiviral medication.
Acupuncture for Shingles, Herpes Zoster
A World Health Organization review and analysis of controlled acupuncture clinical trials includes Herpes Zoster as one of the conditions for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed. Further studies have shown that acupuncture may help relieve symptoms in herpes zoster sufferers by:
- Facilitating and expediting crust formation of the blisters
- Stimulating production of pain relieving substances in the body endorphins
- Reducing inflammation
Herpes Zoster Relief With Acupuncture
Chinese medicine recognizes shingles as a condition involving toxic heat, dampness, and internal wind lodged inside the body. Acupuncture resolves these imbalances and, in so doing, helps restore the body to its natural state.
We have developed a highly effective treatment to speed the healing process and calm the inflamed nerves associated with shingles. Patients describe the Raleigh Acupuncture shingles treatment as miraculous.
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Peripheral Neuropathy Relief With Acupuncture
Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of Americans, resulting in burning, numbness, and tingling sensations in the feet and hands. While often associated with diabetes, most of our neuropathy patients dont have diabetes. In addition, this condition affects many cancer patients, as neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy.
We have developed a highly effective peripheral neuropathy protocol with over a 90% success rate. Specifically, our treatment heals the nerves in the hands and feet responsible for burning, numbness, and pain. Typically, patients feel the benefits after just a few treatments and find lasting relief after six to eight sessions. Our peripheral neuropathy treatment is an example of how acupuncture resolves nerve pain best. The gentle insertion of sterile, single-use, hair-thin needles painlessly promotes healing in their nerves themselves, without the need for medications, and with no adverse side effects.
Article Screening And Data Extraction
The two researchers separately screened the articles according to the above-mentioned inclusion and exclusion criteria, and discussed any differences in opinions. If they could not reach a joint decision, a third researcher was asked to decide. The following data were extracted: the first author, publication year, basic data of research subjects, number of cases in experimental and control groups, treatment plan, and outcome indicators.
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Have Shingles Get Treatment Take Action
If you have shingles, its important to talk to your doctor about your risk for developing PHN. Ask whether preventative treatment with antiviral drugs makes sense. If your doctor says its not necessary, ask why.
The full implications of the psychological risk factors for PHN arent clear yet, says Dworkin. But he suggests that people with shingles should try to stay active and connected.
If psychological distress is a risk factor for PHN, he says, then we think that people who have shingles might benefit from getting out and not being isolated and homebound.
You might make an effort to stay connected to family and friends and not to dwell on your symptoms. Also, keep in mind that even if you do develop PHN, there are treatments that can help.
We have about a half dozen types of drugs that are used as first-line treatments for PHN, says Dworkin. They include lidocaine patch , pregabalin , gabapentin , capsaicin , carbamazepine , tricyclic antidepressants, and painkillers.
The most important thing is to get prompt medical attention if you think you might have shingles.
If you have a one-sided rash especially if youre over 50 see your doctor right away, says Dworkin. It could be shingles. And we know that prompt treatment can dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing long-term pain.
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Go With Gabapentin For Phn
If you do have the lasting nerve pain of PHN, some doctors will prescribe anti-seizure medications, including Neurontin or Lyrica . Even though they were developed as anti-seizure medicines, they can help modulate the nerve pain until the nerves can heal, Dr. Auwaerter explains. These treatments can reduce pain signaling from the nerves to the brain by calming your neurotransmitters for a short time. They are FDA-approved as an effective treatment for PHN. Like antivirals, they require frequent daily dosing, usually three times per day.
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How To Treat Shingles
Varicella-zoster virus is known to cause two diseases: chickenpox and shingles . Chickenpox is a common contagious disease in children that usually has a benign course. Shingles are caused by a reactivation of the latent VZV, and is commonly seen in those over age 50. A weakening of the immune system from aging can make people more susceptible to shingles. A particular problem is that patients with the disease go on to have persistent pain afterward known as post-herpetic neuralgia . It is thought that about 15% of patients continue to have pain one month after the healing of an acute herpetic rash, with about one-quarter of these still experiencing pain after one full year.
Our intervention can significantly relieve the secondary problems. Acupuncture along the damaged nerve route can depolarize the abnormal electrical imbalance of the nerve, normalizing the electrical balance, which corrects or reduces the spontaneous firing of the nerve and reduces pain. Also, scarring from shingles can cause fibrosis along the nerve route. Acupuncture can improve the circulation of the damaged area, while adding physical therapy techniques can soften the adhesion, reducing the entrapment of the nerve involved. Acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation can change the permeability of the local tissue, improve circulation, change the polarity of electrical imbalance, thereby stimulating tissue healing. These all can lead to significant pain reduction in the PHN patient.