If you’ve ever had chickenpox, a once common childhood illness, you’re at risk of developing shingles later in life. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly 1 in 3 people in the United States will have shingles (herpes zoster) at some point in their lives—about 1 million people per year. Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox, and while it is not life-threatening, suffering through a bout can be severely painful.

Shingles most typically manifests as an itchy, painful rash on one side of the torso or face. The first symptom most sufferers experience is pain, which is then accompanied by the tell-tale rash, fluid-filled blisters, sensitivity to touch, and burning or tingling sensations. Some people also may develop fever, headaches, sensitivity to light, or fatigue. While shingles is more likely to develop in people over the age of 50, it can strike anybody who has had chickenpox. This is because the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, remains dormant in a patient’s nervous system after the symptoms of their original infection have cleared. Specifically, it stays within the dorsal root ganglion, part of the nervous system adjacent to the spinal cord and nerve roots that carries sensory information like pain and temperature from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system. When conditions are right, the virus flares up again as shingles.

What Are the Risk Factors for Shingles?

Shingles is more likely to develop in people whose immune response is lowered, including:

Traditional medical treatment for the condition includes antiviral medications, pain relief medications (over the counter and/or prescription), and topical treatments such as calamine lotion and warm oatmeal baths to reduce itching. While there is no cure for shingles, these methods are aimed at shortening the duration of the disease and lessening the impact of its symptoms.

Overcoming Shingles with Chiropractic Care

Shingles is a condition that affects the nervous system, which connects all the tissues of the body. When this vital channel of communication is impeded by spinal misalignment, the body’s response to illness, injury, or pain can be impeded as well. Correcting that misalignment reduces pressure on the nerve roots, allowing for better mobility and function as well as reducing pain. Chiropractic care can also help relieve inflammation and improve immune system function by removing obstacles to communication between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. This can be especially important for patients who are also dealing with immune system compromises that make them more vulnerable to shingles.

Adding chiropractic care to your treatment for shingles can help speed up recovery and reduce your reliance on medications for symptom relief, lowering the risk of side effects from pharmaceuticals. At Divine Spine, our gentle, computerized chiropractic method is perfect for patients who are concerned that sensitivity to touch or existing nerve pain will make traditional adjustments too painful. Our system delivers precise adjustments precisely where they are needed, without abrupt, harsh movements. Our care also helps our patients maintain good health and improved immune system function so they can lower the risk of future outbreaks of shingles.

Gentle Chiropractic Care in Orange Hills

If you are suffering from shingles and aren’t getting the relief you hoped for from traditional treatment, Divine Spine can help. Our office offers on-site X-rays so we can quickly identify misalignments that are exacerbating painful symptoms and get started with a personalized, effective treatment plan right away. You don’t need to suffer without options. To schedule your consultation at our Orange Hills office, contact us here today.