Postherpetic neuralgia is a symptom characterized by spontaneous pain and sensory pain after skin lesions caused by varicella zoster virus infection. It is one of the most common symptoms in acute herpes zoster after skin lesions are cured. The main characteristics of pain are nighttime onset, and patients often find it difficult to bear the pain resulting in sleep disorders, which is more common in the elderly. Moreover, the disease has a long history, which affects the quality of life of patients, and patients often show symptoms of irritability, insomnia and depression [1]. In recent years, there have been a variety of different treatment plans for postherpetic neuralgia at home and abroad. Chinese medicine is the most common treatment for the pain of postherpetic neuralgia due to its advantages of reliable and effective treatment and relatively mild adverse reactions [2]. Among various TCM treatment plans, acupuncture is also the most acceptable treatment for patients. Because of its good efficacy, good analgesic effect and no adverse reactions, it has become the first choice for many patients with postherpetic neuralgia. This article reviews the progress of acupuncture treatment mechanism and treatment methods for postherpetic neuralgia.

Yunru Wu, Zhibin Liu, Linna Wang, Ying Zhou. Research progress of acupuncture treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. International Journal of Frontiers in Medicine (2023), Vol. 5, Issue 12: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFM.2023.051201.

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