Shingles Treatment: Is My Immunity Low?

안녕하세요, 백록담한의원 최연승 대표원장입니다. 오늘은 많은 분들을 괴롭히는 질환, 대상포진에 대해 자세히 알아보겠습니다.

목차

1. 남의 얘기로만 여겼던 대상포진, 되풀이되는 고통
2. 면역력 저하가 되풀이되는 대상포진의 뿌리
3. 증상에 따른 한약 처방으로 고통 경감에 도움
4. 침구 요법으로 신체 저항력의 회복을 도와
5. 생활습관 개선으로 면역력의 토대를 다져요
6. 면역력은 우리 몸의 든든한 방패

1. Shingles: A Recurring Pain, Once Thought to Affect Only Others

"I once suffered from shingles. I had pain and blisters on my waist, followed by a burning sensation. Just as the pain was starting to fade, the nightmare of recurrence began again."

Herpes Zoster (shingles) is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. After having chickenpox in childhood, the virus lies dormant in the nerve ganglia and reactivates when immunity declines, leading to shingles. It is typically characterized by pain, red patches, and blisters, mainly on the waist, chest, or face. In most cases, acute symptoms last for about 10-15 days and then resolve naturally, but the problem lies in the complications that arise afterward. Many people suffer from 'postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)' – a persistent tingling, burning, or itching sensation – even after the pain has subsided. In severe cases, this can last for several months to several years. Furthermore, shingles has a tendency to recur easily even after skin lesions have healed. When immunity is lowered due to aging, overwork, or stress, it is prone to flare up again.

2. Weakened Immunity: The Root Cause of Recurrent Shingles

The main reason for recurrent shingles is "weakened immunity." As our body's defense system weakens, the dormant virus reactivates and causes symptoms. Aging, physical exhaustion from overwork, severe stress, and malnutrition are often major contributing factors. The risk of developing shingles also increases in individuals with chronic underlying conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, or autoimmune diseases. Greater caution is needed if the immune system is weakened by factors like chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, or long-term steroid treatment. Thus, breaking the vicious cycle of shingles hinges on restoring fundamental immunity. In Korean medicine, we focus on strengthening the functions of the Spleen (脾), which governs acquired vital energy, and the Kidney (腎), which is the foundation of congenital energy. Expanding resistance to fight off and overcome the virus is essentially the core task of both treatment and prevention.

3. Herbal Medicine Prescriptions Tailored to Symptoms Help Alleviate Pain

For the alleviation of acute symptoms, herbal medicine treatment aimed at eliminating *External Pathogenic Toxins* (外感邪毒) is effective. When skin rashes, pain, and burning sensations are severe, formulas like *Longdan Xiegan Tang* (龍膽瀉肝湯) and *Huanglian Jiedu Tang* (黃連解毒湯), composed of herbs with the effects of *clearing heat and detoxifying* (淸熱解毒) and *cooling blood and dispelling wind* (凉血祛風), are utilized. These effectively eliminate *heat toxins* (熱毒) and soothe inflammatory symptoms. If blisters (水疱) or pustules (膿疱) are severe, they are diagnosed as *Damp-Heat* (濕熱), and formulas like *Yinchenhao Tang* (茵蔯蒿湯) and *Bixie Xiebai San* (萆薢瀉白散) are used to eliminate *Dampness* (濕) and dry exudates. Additionally, topical medications (外用藥) such as *Yuhong Gao* (玉紅膏) or *Huanglian Gao* (黃連膏), which promote *pus discharge and tissue regeneration* (排膿生肌), are also employed. If there is a sensation of heat throughout the body (全身), herbs like *Rehmannia glutinosa* (生地黃), *Scrophularia ningpoensis* (玄參), and *Forsythia suspensa* (連翹) are added to *clear heat and cool blood* (淸熱凉血). Furthermore, if neuralgia is present, modified formulas of *Danggui Xusan* (當歸鬚散) or *Shentong Zhuyu Tang* (身痛逐瘀湯), which have effects of *invigorating blood and dispelling stasis* (活血去瘀) and *unblocking meridians and stopping pain* (通絡止痛), are used. When chronic pain persists, herbs like centipede (*蜈蚣*) and scorpion (*全蝎*), which have *analgesic* (鎭痛) effects, may be added to enhance efficacy. Meanwhile, to prevent recurrence, a therapeutic approach of *Fuzheng Peiben* (扶正培本), meaning *strengthening the healthy qi and solidifying the root*, is required. Various tonifying agents (補益劑) are utilized, ranging from *Siwu Tang* (四物湯) and *Bazhen Tang* (八珍湯), which *tonify both Qi and Blood* (氣血雙補), to *Liujunzi Tang* (六君子湯) and *Yougui Wan* (右歸丸), which *strengthen the Spleen and replenish Qi* (健脾益氣) and *tonify the Kidney and strengthen the body* (補腎强身). Herbs such as *Epimedium* (淫羊藿), *Astragalus* (黃芪), and *Atractylodes macrocephala* (白朮), which help enhance immunity, are also actively incorporated.

4. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Help Restore the Body's Resistance

Acupuncture treatment is highly beneficial for alleviating acute symptoms of shingles and improving overall immunity. Firstly, by needling tender points on the painful skin lesion area, one can achieve effects that soothe peripheral nerves and improve local blood circulation. It is also important to stimulate acupoints such as *Shenmen* (神門, HT7) and *Neiguan* (內關, PC6) to calm the mind and body. For regulating overall immune function, selecting acupoints such as *Zusanli* (足三里, ST36), *Qihai* (氣海, CV6), and *Sanyinjiao* (三陰交, SP6) is helpful. These points have the effect of *invigorating Qi* (氣) and enhancing resistance. Additionally, stimulating *Baihui* (百會, DU20) or *Sishencong* (四神聰, EX-HN1) can provide psychological relaxation effects. Since stress relief is directly linked to immune recovery, this aspect cannot be overlooked.

5. Build a Foundation for Immunity Through Lifestyle Improvements

To prevent the recurrence of shingles, lifestyle management must be combined with Korean medicine treatment. Most importantly, it is crucial to establish the foundation of a healthy immune system through regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet. Also, pay attention to personal hygiene. Many people avoid seeking timely treatment for blister lesions due to self-consciousness, but this carries a risk of secondary bacterial infection. Keeping the skin lesion area clean and refraining from scratching or rubbing it would be a wise approach.

6. Immunity: Our Body's Strong Shield

"Struggling with recurrent shingles, I started Korean medicine treatment. The symptoms have significantly subsided with herbal medicine and acupuncture, and my vitality has improved by adopting healthy lifestyle habits. I can feel my immunity coming back to life."

The pain of suffering from shingles is by no means easy. It's a continuous struggle with the anxiety of not knowing when it might recur. But don't give up. You can awaken the amazing healing power inherent in your body and break the chain of recurring vicious cycles. The strong shield that fights against disease is precisely "immunity." Korean medicine treatment aims to restore the body's balance and harmony, thereby enhancing resistance. Why not embark on this wise path of natural healing with Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic?