Definition of Herpes Zoster
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is referred to as “Chán Yāo Huǒ Dān” (缠腰火丹), “Shé Chuàn Chuāng” (蛇串疮), “Zhī Zhū Chuāng” (蜘蛛疮), and “Shé Dān” (蛇丹). It is a common clinical viral skin disease caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which has long been dormant in the dorsal root ganglia or cranial nerve ganglia.
Clinical Manifestations of Herpes Zoster
Initially, there may be mild fatigue, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite as systemic symptoms. The affected skin may feel a burning sensation or neuralgia, with significant pain sensitivity upon touch. There may be no prodromal symptoms, followed by the appearance of clustered papules that subsequently develop into vesicles. The vesicles will dry up, crust over, and may leave behind pigmentation. The lesions typically follow a dermatomal distribution along a specific peripheral nerve area, usually occurring on one side of the body and not crossing the midline. In addition to skin lesions, patients often experience varying degrees of neuralgia.
The history of fire needle therapy is long-standing, existing as early as in the “Huangdi Neijing” (《黄帝内经》), where it was referred to as “Fán Zhēn” (燔针) or “Dà Zhēn” (大针), with a history of several thousand years. Fire needle therapy utilizes the warming effect of the fire needle to stimulate acupuncture points or affected areas, increasing the body’s Yang Qi, invigorating the meridian Qi, and regulating the functions of the internal organs, thereby promoting the smooth flow of meridians and the circulation of Qi and blood.
Advantages of Fire Needle Therapy
1. Significant efficacy with a short treatment course;
2. Minimal discomfort and low cost;
3. Rapid pain relief after treatment;
4. Simple operation with low risk;
Case Study
A male patient presented with pain in the right eye, forehead, and head for one week, accompanied by herpes for three days, and sought treatment at the TCM department of Lushui City First People’s Hospital. The patient had numerous herpes lesions in the painful area, which were clustered together, with significant pain sensitivity upon touch. The ruptured vesicles exuded a considerable amount of clear fluid, with some fluid appearing turbid and yellow. The diagnosis was herpes zoster. After treatment with fire needle therapy combined with bloodletting cupping, most of the herpes lesions lightened in color and crusted over, with a significant reduction in pain, yielding excellent results.
Before Fire Needle Treatment
During Fire Needle Treatment
After Fire Needle + Bloodletting Cupping Treatment
Fire needle therapy for herpes zoster is highly effective, with significant pain relief, and during the acute phase, it can promote the crusting of herpes lesions, reduce the duration of pain, and effectively prevent postherpetic neuralgia. It can also be combined with other treatments, such as oral herbal medicine and acupuncture, to better regulate the balance of Qi and blood in the patient’s body and enhance immune function, thereby achieving better therapeutic outcomes.END
Written by｜An Sijie Reviewed by｜Xiong Chunyang
Typeset by｜Liao Qian Final Review｜Bai Jinguang
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