Impacts of Acupuncture Therapy on Herpes Zoster: Report of 3 Cases

Abstract

There were three cases (64, 44 and 81 years of age, all male) referred to the rehabilitation service of the Ophthalmology specialty, with the diagnosis of ophthalmic herpes zoster, due to intense pain and macular lesions, vesicles on erythematous base in the periorbital and frontal region, accompanied by intense edema. 64, 44 and 81 years old in order of appearance. Also treated, in the first instance, by dermatology with: analgesics (Dipyrone, Paracetamol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Piroxicam), injectable B-complex vitamin therapy, physiological therapy, eye drops and saline solutions. Pain intensity was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. Acupuncture treatment for 6 to 9 sessions began on different days of the evolution of her illness. The same acupuncture treatment scheme was applied to the three patients: bilateral LI-4 (Hegu) and LI-11 (Quchi). In points on the face, the needles were placed on the healthy side: UB-2 (Zanzhu), SI-17 (Yifeng) and GB-1 (Tungtzuliao). After the first acupuncture session the pain ceased or lessened, and the blisters began to dry up. None had ocular complications and post-herpetic neuralgia did not appear after three months of finishing acupuncture therapy. The evolution was satisfactory in the 3 patients.