Hello, I am Choi Yeon-seung, the representative director of Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic. Today, we will take a detailed look at herpes zoster, a condition that troubles many people.

Herpes zoster, which I thought only happened to others, recurring pain
Decreased immunity, the root of recurring herpes zoster
Helps reduce pain through herbal medicine prescriptions based on symptoms
Helps recover physical resistance through acupuncture and moxibustion therapy
Builds the foundation of immunity through improvement of lifestyle habits
Immunity is a strong shield for our body

1. Herpes zoster, which I thought only happened to others, recurring pain

"I suffered from herpes zoster once. Blisters appeared along with pain in my waist, and I suffered from a stinging sensation. Just as that pain was about to be forgotten, the nightmare of recurrence began again."

Herpes Zoster is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. After having chickenpox in childhood, the virus latent in the nerve ganglia becomes active when immunity drops. It is characterized by red spots and blisters accompanied by pain, mainly in the waist, chest, or face. For most, acute symptoms last for about 10~15 days and heal naturally, but the problem lies in the complications that occur afterward. There are quite a few people who suffer from 'postherpetic neuralgia (PHN),' such as tingling, stinging, and itching, even after the pain has disappeared. In severe cases, they may suffer for several months to several years. Furthermore, herpes zoster has a characteristic of recurring easily even after skin lesions have recovered. It is prone to worsen again when immunity decreases due to aging, overwork, or stress.

2. Decreased immunity, the root of recurring herpes zoster

The main cause of shingles recurrence lies in 'decreased immunity.' As the body's defense system weakens, the latent virus is reactivated, causing symptoms. Factors such as decreased physical strength due to aging or overwork, extreme stress, and poor nutrition often become major triggers. Additionally, the risk of onset increases in cases of chronic underlying diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and autoimmune diseases. Greater caution is required if the immune system is weakened due to the intake of anticancer drugs or immunosuppressants, or long-term steroid treatment. As such, fundamental recovery of immunity is the key to breaking the vicious cycle of shingles. In Traditional Korean Medicine, attention is focused on strengthening the function of the Spleen (脾), which oversees acquired energy, and the Kidney (腎), which is the foundation of innate energy. Expanding the resistance to fight and overcome the virus is the core task of treatment and prevention.

3. Help in reducing pain through herbal prescriptions according to symptoms

To alleviate acute symptoms, herbal medicine treatment to remove External Pathogenic Toxic Factors (外感邪毒) is effective. When skin (皮膚) rashes, pain, and burning sensations are severe, Longdan Xiegan-tang (龍膽瀉肝湯) and Huanglian Jiedu-tang (黃連解毒湯), composed of medicinal herbs with the effects of Clearing Heat and Detoxifying (淸熱解毒) and Cooling Blood and Expelling Wind (凉血祛風), are utilized. These have the effect of calming inflammatory symptoms by eliminating Heat-Toxin (熱毒). If blisters (水疱) or pustules (膿疱) are severe, they are differentiated as Damp-Heat (濕熱), and Yinnihao-tang (茵蔯蒿湯) or Bixie Xiebai-san (萆薢瀉白散), which Treat Dampness and Recede Yellowing (治濕退黃), are used to remove Dampness (濕) and dry the exudates (乾燥). In addition, external medicines (外用藥) such as Yuhong-gao (玉紅膏) or Huanglian-gao (黃連膏) that Discharge Pus and Promote Tissue Regeneration (排膿生肌) are also utilized. If there is a systemic feeling of heat (熱感), herbs such as Shengdihuang (生地黃), Xuanshen (玄參), and Lianqiao (連翹) are added to Clear Heat and Cool Blood (淸熱凉血). Furthermore, when accompanied by neuralgia, Dangguisu-san (當歸鬚散) or modified versions of Shentong Zhuyu-tang (身痛逐瘀湯), which have the effects of Activating Blood and Removing Stasis (活血去瘀) and Unblocking Collaterals and Stopping Pain (通絡止痛), are used. When chronic pain persists, the effect is sometimes enhanced by adding medicinal herbs such as Centipede (蜈蚣) or Scorpion (全蝎) which have analgesic (鎭痛) actions. Meanwhile, to prevent recurrence, a treatment method (治法) of Supporting the Righteous and Cultivating the Root (扶正培本) is required. Various tonics (補益劑) are utilized, ranging from Simut-tang (四物湯) and Paljin-tang (八珍湯) which Tonify both Qi and Blood (氣血雙補), to Yukgunja-tang (六君子湯) and Ugwi-hwan (右歸丸) which Strengthen the Spleen and Augment Qi (健脾益氣) and Tonify the Kidney and Strengthen the Body (補腎强身). Medicinal herbs such as Epimedium (淫羊藿), Astragalus (黃芪), and Atractylodes (白朮), which help in enhancing immunity, are also actively added.

4. Help the recovery of physical resistance through acupuncture and moxibustion therapy

Acupuncture treatment is very helpful not only for relieving acute symptoms of shingles but also for improving systemic immunity. First, by finding tender points in the painful skin lesion areas and inserting needles, you can achieve effects of calming peripheral nerves and improving local blood flow. It is also important to stimulate acupuncture points such as 神門 and 內關 to calm the mind and body. For regulating systemic immune function, selecting points such as 足三里, 氣海, and 三陰交 is helpful. These have the 作用 of boosting 氣 and increasing resistance. In addition, stimulating 百會 or 四神聰 can also produce psychological relaxation effects. Since stress relief is directly linked to immune recovery, it is an aspect that cannot be overlooked.

5. Build a foundation for immunity through lifestyle habit improvement

To prevent the recurrence of shingles, lifestyle management must be carried out essentially alongside herbal medicine treatment. Above all, it is important to establish the foundation of a healthy immune system through regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet. In addition, please pay attention to personal hygiene management. There are many cases where people do not receive timely treatment because they are reluctant to have blister lesions be visible to others, but there is a risk of 2ary bacterial infection. It would be a wise attitude to keep the skin lesion area clean and refrain from scratching or rubbing.

6. Immunity is our body's sturdy shield

"I started receiving herbal medicine treatment while I was struggling with a recurrence of shingles. With medication and acupuncture treatment, the symptoms subsided significantly, and my energy improved as I adopted healthy lifestyle habits. I can feel my immunity returning."

The pain of suffering from shingles is by no means easy. It is a continuation of days plagued by the anxiety of not knowing when it might recur. However, do not give up. By awakening the amazing healing power inherent in our bodies, we can break the chain of the repeating vicious cycle. The strong shield that fights against disease is precisely 'immunity.' Oriental medicine treatment that restores the balance and harmony of our body to increase resistance. Why not walk that wise path of natural healing together with Baekrokdam Oriental Medicine Clinic?