Laser Therapy for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia (Shingles Pain)
Shingles is a painful condition that is the result of a viral infection that affects the nerves. The virus that causes shingles is the same one that causes chickenpox. Contrary to popular belief, anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. Many clients of our clinic have wondered if laser therapy can help with pain after shingles.
Laser therapy has been studied as a way to help relieve pain after shingles. Results vary.
Do you suffer from post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN)? Or suspect that you may have PHN? Some research suggests low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may help relieve PHN pain, but research is still developing and it does not replace medical care. Speak to your GP about pain management.
Shingles is most common in people over 60 years old, but it can occur at any age. Symptoms of shingles include a rash and pain along the path of the nerve where the virus has invaded. In some cases, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) may develop after the shingles rash disappears.
PHN is a condition characterized by long-term pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred.
In this blog post, we will discuss laser therapy and how it may help with PHN.
What Is Post-herpetic Neuralgia, And How Is It Linked To Shingles?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The virus that causes shingles is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body. Shingles usually affect people over 50, but they can occur at any age.
The most common symptom of shingles is a painful rash that typically appears on one side of the face or body. However, other common symptoms include fever, headache, and fatigue.
In some cases virus can reactivate later in life and cause shingles, and the pain associated with shingles can last for months or even years after the rash has cleared. This condition is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Post-herpetic neuralgia is caused by damage to the nerves that results from shingles.
PHN is a form of nerve pain (often a sharp shooting pain or dull ache) that can occur after shingles. The pain occurs because the shingles virus damages the nerve fibers. The damage to the nerve fibers prevents the nerves from correctly sending signals to the brain.
Your GP is the first person to see about managing this pain.
How Does Post-herpetic Neuralgia Get Its Name?
Post-herpetic neuralgia comes from the kind of virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. According to a study published by the Journal of Laser In Medical Sciences, a few kinds of herpesvirus can affect humans.
- Gamma-herpesviridae.
- Beta-Herpesviridea.
- Alpha-heresviridea.
Can Laser Therapy Help Post-herpetic Neuralgia Pain?
Some small studies have looked at laser therapy for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain, but the evidence is limited and results vary. PHN is a common complication of shingles and can cause chronic, debilitating pain.
What Causes Post-Herpetic Neuralgia?
According to the aforementioned study – the virus hangs out in our system after we have been first exposed to the virus and can be reactivated by factors such as stress, immune or hormonal disorders, or dysfunctions. The actual mechanism of how this condition develops is highly complex and involves a series of entangled immune cells.
How Is Laser Therapy Applied?
Laser therapy applies light to the skin over the painful area. Some of the light is absorbed by molecules in the tissue; how this might affect nerve pain is not well understood.
What The Research Shows
Research on laser therapy for PHN is limited and mostly small studies. It does not replace medical care. Read more about laser therapy and inflammation.
Conclusion
The evidence for laser therapy in post-herpetic neuralgia is limited, and results vary. Talk to your GP about managing PHN, and to your GP or physiotherapist about whether laser therapy is suitable for you.
References
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32006261/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8558700/pdf/jlms-12-e38.pdf