Citation

Stump JL, Zhao Z. American Journal of Acupuncture 1994; 22(2): 109-115.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Post-herpetic neuralgia is the leading cause of suicide in chronic pain patients over the age of 70 years. This case study reviews the results of using acupuncture as a viable method to control post-herpetic pain, known to be a difficult problem to manage. This elderly woman had suffered severe pain for nearly one year and had contemplated suicide. The improvement began to show dramatically by the third treatment. After a course of 12 treatments, she reported no further pain in the previously involved area. Since manageability of post-herpetic neuralgia has been considered effective only in younger patients with a duration of pain less than six months, this case study may be of benefit for those treating post-herpetic neuralgia in older patients.

Language: en

Keywords

human; female; aged; case report; aging; chronic pain; disease severity; article; differential diagnosis; patient care; patient compliance; pain threshold; cellulitis; contact dermatitis; herpes zoster; pain parameters; acupuncture analgesia; chickenpox; dermatitis herpetiformis