Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 161–2
The case presentation reports a successful use of a treatment combination (manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and low-level laser therapy) in the management of herpes zoster (HZ) complicated by right-side facial palsy.
A 71-year old male sought acupuncture treatment for HZ on the right neck and post-auricular regions associated with right facial paralysis. On examination, new crops of blebs were seen as well as clear signs of right facial paralysis associated with symptoms of pain and burning sensations.
Six treatment sessions (twice weekly) of a combination of manual acupuncture (mild and strong stimulation for 10 min), electro-acupuncture [using low frequency of 3–10 Hz (IC-1107 Acupunctoscope Stimulator; Scarboroughs Ltd) for 10 min] and laser acupuncture for 10–40 s (Infralaser 40, Acumedic) were given. The following acupuncture points were used. For pain, Li 4, Liv 3. For mild stimulation: Ah-shi points; points near to the affected area; points on the Du channel; point Ex. 21 on the corresponding dermatome; St 2, St 4 and St 7; and GB 14; For strong stimulation: Li 4, Li 11, SJ 5, SJ 8, Si 3, St 44 and St 36.
The skin lesions were cleared after two sessions of treatment. As the treatment progressed, the patient began to show improvements in facial paralysis and was considered clinically cured after the 6th acupuncture session.
The patient responded well to the combined manual acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and laser therapy. He fully recovered in 3 weeks and the facial paralysis disappeared. This case management by acupuncture is an example of a significant method in treating HZ associated with facial paralysis.
