Postherpetic Neuralgia: Life-Changing Relief for One of the Most Painful Conditions You’ve Never Heard Of
By Accessible Acupuncture
After months of unbearable pain from complications following a bout of Shingles, Dean found lasting relief with Accessible Acupuncture. Mothers have described it as a ‘pain worse than labour’, others compare it to passing a kidney stone.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication following a bout of shingles and is often ranked in the top 5 most painful things a human can experience. Affecting more than 18% of shingles patients, PHN causes you to experience the pain of active shingles for longer than three months, and in some cases, years after the rash has dissipated.
Dean G. of Edmonton, AB shares his story. “I had been diagnosed with shingles, and I thought it was going to be like the flu or any other virus. I’d have it and then get over it. Two months later, the blisters were gone, but the pain was so intense I was begging them to put me in the hospital and just put me out.”
During shingles, the virus injures nerves in and around the skin where the rash and blisters occur. Your immune system eventually suppresses the virus, and the rash and blisters disappear. Unfortunately, nerve damage often disrupts the function of your nervous system, and the damaged nerves send random, uncontrolled pain signals to the brain, causing lasting, debilitating pain.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Dean tells, almost in tears. “I was always in pain. I couldn’t get out of the house. I thought it was going to kill me.” PHN pain has been described as burning, throbbing, stabbing, or even gnawing. Even worse, it tends to escalate to unbearable levels, episodes that Dean referred to as ‘seizures.’ “You can actually feel them coming on, so you know you’re about to be in major pain, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
This pain can gradually go away, return intermittently, or, in the worst cases, be with you for the rest of your life. Dean’s wife wasn’t willing to take that chance and sought the expertise of Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac of Accessible Acupuncture.
“Sadly, we have seen an increase in PHN cases both at Accessible Acupuncture and the clinics I consult for across the country. My PHN patients are some of the most tragic cases I’ve seen. The pain these people experience is just beyond words. Fortunately, I am able to offer them real hope!”
“I started going for treatment, and it kept getting better. After about a month, I told Melanie [Dr. Ac], ‘I’m going to play golf again,” shared Dean. “It’s changed my life.” While Accessible Acupuncture is an acupuncture clinic (it’s in their name after all), it’s the ‘integrative medicine’ part of their practice that’s a hole-in-one when treating postherpetic neuralgia. “Our ATP Resonance BioTherapy® is the real winner here,” says Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. “ATP treats PHN twofold. It both eradicates residual shingles virus, which reduces future episodes, and aids in repairing damaged nerves. Nerves have the ability to regenerate and repair on their own, but often times as we suffer from injury, or in Dean’s case, illness, this self-healing ability is interrupted. This therapy both ensures and supercharges that process.”
It should also be noted that if ATP Resonance BioTherapy® is used to treat an active case of shingles, the chances that you’ll develop PHN are reduced significantly.
In asking Dean, “What do you think would’ve happened if you never found Accessible Acupuncture?” His only response was, “That’s for a different conversation.” Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac elaborates, “as a person, you can only handle so much pain. Dean is on the other side of this now, and to me, that is most important.”
If you or a loved one is experiencing the pain of an active shingles outbreak or is now suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, Accessible Acupuncture can help. Visit accessibleacupuncture.ca to learn more or call today 587-879-7122 and to take advantage of their New Patient Offer.
Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac., is passionate about helping people experience the same pain relief and joy that she did with acupuncture. She believes that everyone deserves to live a life free from pain, and she is committed to supporting her patients on their journey to health and wellness. Her practice focuses on:
● Chronic and Complex Pain
● Neurology, including Peripheral Neuropathy
● Autoimmune Conditions
● Women’s Health, including Fertility and Pregnancy
Dr. Melanie Morrill Ac. studied at the University of Alberta and MacEwan University before becoming a Doctor of Acupuncture with the College of Alberta Acupuncturists R1201066. If you’re tired of living with chronic pain, Dr. Melanie Morrill, Dr. Ac. is the expert you need on your side.
