Postherpetic Neuralgia

Age is the strongest predictor of post-herpetic neuralgia. The incidence of PHN reaches 30–50% in those over 60, and the duration of pain significantly increases in those over 70. This is because immunosenescence reduces the ability to inhibit viral replication and causes a significant drop in the rate of myelin regeneration in damaged nerves. The risk of PHN increases with the severity of prodromal pain prior to the rash, the occurrence in the trigeminal nerve area (face and scalp), and the duration of antiviral administration exceeding 72 hours. In Korean medicine, it is believed that as one ages and the body's regenerative capacity weakens, inflammation and toxins cannot be completely eliminated, leaving residual waste that lingers in nerve pathways, leading to chronic stagnation pain. This is in the same vein as how a deficiency in blood and body fluids slows down the self-healing of muscles and nerve pathways. At Dongjedang, we go beyond simple pain relief by combining treatments that reinforce vital energy while releasing remaining toxins and stagnant blood, thereby compensating for the slow recovery speed of elderly patients. Replenishing the blood and body fluids that form the basis of recovery and strengthening the immune foundation with herbal medicine tailored to one's constitution also helps prevent recurrence.