Patientin mit Postzosterneuralgie

Abstract

Background The risk of developing a postherpetic neuralgia increases with a patient's age. As conventional therapies mostly do not bring satisfactory results, and as there is a considerable danger of pharmacological interactions especially in elderly, multi-morbid patients, new therapeutic options for treating neuralgic pain are in high demand. Based on a case example, two specialists discuss the possibilities of using acupuncture and related techniques in elderly patients. Objective Pain reduction in general, nocturnal pain reduction to improve sleep and quality of life, to reduce the need of analgetic drugs in order to avoid side effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Methods 10 treatments once a week, needle acupuncture after TCM-criteria plus micro systems acupuncture like YNSA (Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture), and a 12 mW Softlaser. Results Only slow improvements initially, but an overall satisfactory result after the ninth treatment session with a pain-free interval of almost one year. After 5 years, therapy had to be re-initialized, again leading to a good result within 10 weeks of treatment (reduction of pain intensity from VAS 8.2 to VAS 1.3). Discussion While receiving the first treatment series, the patient was almost eighty years old and eighty-five while receiving the second treatment series. In spite of the patient's old age, which is often held to lessen the effect of acupuncture, both treatment series were able to produce satisfactory results.