Understanding Shingles: Causes, Prevention, and Holistic Treatment
Over the past month, a few patients have come to Above & Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale, AZ, to be treated for shingles (which is also known as herpes zoster). While there is a portion of the American population that has a basic understanding of this viral infection, many are unaware of what it is until they experience it first hand.
We’ve put together this informative guide to explain:
- What shingles is
- How to prevent an outbreak
- Holistic treatments to alleviate symptoms
What Is Shingles?
A helpful definition provided by the Mayo Clinic describes shingles as a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Although shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
How Common Is Shingles?
According to the CDC:
- 4 million cases of chickenpox occur every year. Nearly 95% of Americans will have had chickenpox by adulthood.
- 1 in 3 Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime—that’s 33% of the U.S. population.
- 1 million new shingles cases happen each year.
- Older adults are at higher risk—half of all cases occur in people 60 years or older.
Because chickenpox and shingles stem from the same virus, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles later in life.
What Triggers a Shingles Outbreak?
Several factors can increase the risk of a shingles outbreak. One of the most common—and preventable—triggers is stress.
How Stress Contributes to Shingles:
- Weakens the immune system
- Makes it easier for the virus to reactivate
- Increases inflammation and worsens symptoms
Ways to Reduce Stress & Strengthen Immunity
- Get enough sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours per night.
- Exercise regularly – Moderate exercise boosts immune function.
- Find ways to ease stress – Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help.
Diet & Shingles: The Role of L-Lysine & L-Arginine
Another way to help prevent shingles is to make sure your diet is rich in L-lysine and low in L-arginine. Shingles is particularly affected by a person’s L-lysine to L-arginine ratio. These are natural amino acids that are found inside the human body, but they come from foods. There must be a greater level of arginine in the body for herpes viruses to thrive. Lysine is found in proteins, dairy, and most vegetables.
- L-Arginine – Helps the virus thrive. Found in nuts, chocolate, and tomatoes.
- L-Lysine – Helps suppress the virus. Found in proteins, dairy, and most vegetables.
How to Use Diet to Prevent or Reduce Shingles Symptoms
- Eat a diet rich in L-lysine (meat, fish, dairy, and vegetables).
- Limit high-arginine foods (nuts, chocolate, tomatoes).
- Take an L-lysine supplement during and after an outbreak to maintain balance.
Just by changing your diet you can greatly reduce the duration and voracity of an outbreak.
Holistic Treatment: How Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Help
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—including acupuncture and Chinese herbs—is a phenomenal and holistic way to treat shingles.
A licensed acupuncturist will develop a personalized treatment plan to:
- Focus on resolving the symptoms
- Boosting the body’s resources
Benefits of Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs for Shingles
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs will work synergistically to:
- Reduce pain
- Clear the infection
- improve overall well-being
By combining dietary changes, stress reduction and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the shingles infection and pain will be greatly reduced soon after treatment begins.
Book an Appointment at Above & Beyond Acupuncture
If you, or anyone you know, is suffering with shingles, please make an appointment to come in for a treatment at Above & Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale, AZ. Using a holistic approach when treating a shingles infection will prevent you from taking unnecessary medications, suffering needlessly and will provide a greater sense of health and wellness.
