Shingles and Chiropractic
Posted by Marietta chiropractor on October 23, 2007
So, can chiropractic cure shingles? Of course not. But, neither can Medicine. There is no cure for shingles, a condition that causes extreme pain to those afflicted.
Shingles is a condition where the Chicken Pox (herpes zoster) virus settles into a person’s nerve root and causes no problems until activated, usually by stress. Once activated, the entire nerve is affected causing extreme discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, there’s little that can be done to alleviate the problem other than try to lessen the symptoms.
However, many sufferers of shingles have found that finding ways of reducing and dealing with stress keeps the virus from becoming active. One of those ways is getting adjusted by their chiropractor on a regular basis. Chiropractic adjustments help balance stress on the nervous system. Reducing that stress helps prevent shingles outbreaks and helps your body recover quicker when there is an outbreak.
If you suffer from shingles, I encourage you to find a wellness chiropractor whose focus is on the upper cervical spine.
A Different Way 
Satya said
I have shingles with a couple of rashes on my upper left side of the face. I get shooting pain on the left side of my head which is EXTREMELY PAINFUL. I get regular adjustments by a Blair practitioner. I was volunteering for the homeless where there are people with obvious rashes on their face or arms, etc. I don’t know how I got it. I’ve been trying everything to reduce this extreme shooting pain but to no avail. I have always been healthy; adjustments, detox, meditation, etc. Ranuncul Bulbos (homeopathic tablets) were recommended but it didn’t work at all. I am taking Valtrex along with Hydrocodone (pain killer). Lysine or B12 don’t seem to do anything. I am continuing to take them and pray that something will work. Thank God for western medicine because it hasn’t spread to my left eye which could have made the eye blind. Although I have always taken naturopathic things in my life, I am trusting western medicine. They care enough to do clinical studies. I have so little faith in naturopathic or homeopathic remedies for anything serious. It’s ok to do Dr. Schulze’s (800HERBDOC) detox and eat greens. When it comes to serious illness, I totally rely on western medicine.
drtim said
Satya,
I wish you much luck and success in dealing with your situation. I’m glad you’re getting adjusted by a Blair specialist. From a chiropractic standpoint, I think upper cervical care is the best thing you can do.
Having said that, please know that you are doing all the right things. Chiropractic simply removes a significant source of stress on your nervous system allowing your body to better deal with whatever it must. The “cure” always comes from within. Western Medicine has its place in the treatment and management of symptoms. In the long run, reducing and managing stress will probably be the cure for what ails you.
Good luck.
Dr. T!m
Jeff Hall said
A mate encoraged me to read this page, brill post, fascinating read… keep up the good work!
drtim said
Thanks Jeff! Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to hear about.
Margaret Sparks said
I’m just dropping in… got shingles last Friday, couldn’t have been more surprised. I thought it was stretched or torn tendon in left upper arm. Lots of pain then the rash. Hurts more at night.
It’s a coincidence that I happen to be a patient of a Blair chiropractor. I see him regularly, but today was my first adjustment since the shingles diagnosis. I’ve been taking the L-Lysine, acyclovir in large doses and pain meds, mostly ibuprofen, but the doctor gave me codeine tylenol in case I wanted to use it.
Amal said
I am very glad I found your blog on stumbleupon. Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my boyfriend were just preparing to do some research about this. I am very happy to see such great info being shared freely out there.
Best Regards,
Freeborn from Eugene city
Chiro San Francisco said
I don’t really know what shingles is. So only a chiropractor can lessen the pain dealt by this sickness? Anyway, thanks for sharing this!
drtim said
Chiropractic doesn’t as much lessen the pain as it does the frequency and intensity of the occurrence of shingles. Stress activates and exacerbates shingles. As you know, chiropractic helps the body deal better with life’s stresses. Thanks for visiting my blog. I appreciate your thoughts.
Brandon Harshe said
Love it! Couldn’t have said it better myself… especially that upper cervical spine part. 😉
drtim said
Thanks, Doc. Is there any other place that can do that? Not that I know of. Keep up the great work.
jan genge said
Q: Do You Recommend Activator Chiropractic Technique in Treating Chronic Shingles on an Elderly Female (my Mother) whom has INCREASED frequency of pain/discomfort with the following- Osteoporosis- age 85.
She says”nothing works”.
(I was planning to suggest adult low stress yoga and or tai chi)
Marietta chiropractor said
I’m primarily an upper cervical chiropractor. Upper cervical adjustments help the body deal with stress which aggravates shingles. I don’t treat or recommend treatments for any ailment. I HAVE seen folks with shingles get significant relief from upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
stress relief techniques said
stress relief techniques…
[…]Shingles and Chiropractic « A Different Way[…]…
Phil said
Therefore it is advisable to work on your back pain much in advance in order to get healthy as soon as possible.
Inhale as much air as you conveniently can while you
lift your hands upwards. When there is chronic low back pain there is going to be a limit to the sort of activities
that can be carried out.
Jen said
how does chiropractic medicine differ from physical therapy in treating shingles?
Marietta chiropractor said
Honestly Jen, I don’t know how physical therapists deal with shingles.
What I CAN tell you that a good chiropractor will simply take stress off your nervous system caused by a slight misalignment of one (or more) of the bones in your spine.
Most folks’ shingles symptoms get worse when they’re under stress. When your body deals better with stress, symptoms should improve, somewhat.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance or answer any more questions. Thanks again for reading my blog and asking this question.