Our
Newsletters: Information, News and Events
For
Your Health
February 2010 Issue No.1
Spring is here again! It marks the beginning of a new year. We wish you a happy, healthy
and prosperous Year of the Tiger!
Welcome to our New Staff Members
We are happy to announce new addition to our team as a
continuous effort to serve you better.
Exercise Physiologist: Bahader Khan
Mr. Khan received his bachelor degree
in physical therapy from University of
Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan in 2002. In
2005 he received a Master degree in
exercise rehabilitation from Victoria
University, Melbourne, Australia. He focused his
internships and clinical experience in neurological and
musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Mr. Khan is a professional
member of ASEP and he has received his specialty
accreditation in musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary
rehabilitation from AAESS. He has clinical experiences in
a variety of settings including outpatient and inpatient
neurological, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary and
musculoskeletal rehabilitation. His clinical interests
consists of manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation. He
enjoys treating patients of all ages and all cultures. He is
also fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Dari, Pashto and
Punjabi.
Receptionist: Jessica Yip ( 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Mrs. Jessica Yip received her bachelor
degree in business administration from
the National University of Singapore.
She also received a diploma in Child
Psychology in Canada. She is fluent in
English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Recruiting Part-Time Bilingual Receptionist
for afternoon shift (1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Are you interested in joining our team or do you know
anyone who is available in the afternoon and would
consider taking this meaningful and fulfilling position?
Please contact anyone of us in the clinic and we would be
happy to set up an interview with you.
We also want to take this opportunity to send our hearty
appreciation to Nellie, our receptionist, for her generous
help in the clinic. She is friendly, smart, hardworking and
fun to be with. She is our beloved Angel. Thank you,
Nellie.
Upcoming CPR class at our clinic
As life-long learners and being ready to take up any
challengers ahead, we are always finding new ways to
improve and enhance our services.
One of the best ways to help our patients is to equip their
families with life saving techniques. Nothing is more
powerful than having the skills to help your families
when the unexpected strikes.
LEARN HOW TO SAVE A LIFE
CPR for infants, children and adults.
Date: March 4 (Thursday)
Time: 1:00 to 3:30 pm
Cost: $20/person
Instructor: Kira Miller
Please call us at 408.885.1288 or register at our front desk.
Class size is limited. Please enroll early to secure your seat.
Sponsored by Zhu's Scalp Acupuncture Research and Education Foundation
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Shingles the Snake
Have you ever had shingles? Do you know that there are about
half a million new cases of shingles each year in the USA? 1
Those who have experienced it would agree that it could be one
of the worst pain. It can torment you day and night for many
months, and even strong pain medication may not give you a
relief.
Two weeks ago a lady came in with a painful look in her face.
Four days earlier some little pimple-like things appeared above
my right ear and hurt a whole lot, burning. It has now spread to
my forehead right above my right eye, and a little bit on the
cheek too. Motrin didn't help. I couldn't sleep. With close
examination, we found that they were blisters and she was
suffering from Herpes Zoster, commonly known as shingles.We
gave her two acupuncture treatments and three bags of
herbs. The rash and pain completely subsided in a matter
of three days. "This is a miracle," she said.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes
chickenpox, but it is different from the herpes viruses that cause
genital herpes and oral herpes. After an individual has
chickenpox, the virus stays in the nervous system and becomes
dormant. When the body's immunity is compromised, the virus
reactivates and causes shingles. The most common
circumstances that trigger it are: emotional stress, immune
deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or cancer. I know at
least three patients including my mother and a close friend who
had shingles within two weeks of their spouse's death. Shingles
affect more people over the age of 60.
What are symptoms of shingles?
Shingles usually start with a burning pain and sensitive skin.
Soon small blisters break out along a nerve fiber. Often they
follow an intercostal nerve, appearing like a belt around one
side of the waist. Hence Chinese give it a nickname: the Snake.
If the virus attacks the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal
nerve, in the forehead and nose area, there is a risk that it may
affect the eye, leading to loss of vision. Finally the blisters pop,
and the area starts to ooze, then crust and heal. The duration of
the outbreak from start to finish may take three to four weeks.
Even after the blisters are gone, about 10 to 15% of patients
experience persisting nerve pain for months or years. This is
called postherpetic neuralgia.
What is the treatment for shingles?
Western antiviral drug treatment can reduce the severity and
duration of shingles if a 7-day to 10-day course of these drugs
is started within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash. Pain
medication such as ibuprofen or even steroids are used to
manage the pain. Antibiotics is used if the blisters are infected.2
Postherpetic neuralgia is a chronic pain often treated with
antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), anticonvulsants (e.g.
neurontin), opioids (e.g. codeine), and topical anesthetics (e.g.
lidocaine patches). Unfortunately, 40% to 50% of people with
postherpetic neuralgia do not respond to treatment.3
As illustrated by the lady's case, acupuncture and Chinese
herbs are very effective in treating shingles. The sooner, the
better. Proper acupuncture techniques and the right herbs not
only have strong anti-viral effects but may also prevent
postherpetic neuralgia. Don't wait until the pain becomes
resistant.
Some cautions you should take
Shingles is contagious. As long as there are blisters forming,
shingles can be spread to children or adults who have not had
chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles, these people
develop chickenpox. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, it
is no longer contagious.
The skin should be kept clean. Bathing is permitted, and the
affected area can be cleansed with soap and water. Do not
scratch the blisters, otherwise they can become infected with
bacteria, causing cellulitis. If this occurs, the area will become
reddened, warm, firm, and tender. You might notice red streaks
forming around the wound. You should prevent this
complication with good hygiene.
References
1. http://www.cureresearch.com/s/shingles/stats-country.htm
2. WebMD: shingles health center
3. Dubinsky RM, et al. (2004). Practice parameter: Treatment of
postherpetic neuralgia. An evidence-based report of the Quality
Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of
Neurology. Neurology, 63(6): 959-965.
________________________________________________________________________________________
OUR OFFICE:
Zhu's Neuro Acupuncture Center
We have over 50 years of experience treating
strokes, spinal cord injuries and other
neurological disorders using the special Zhu's
Scalp Acupuncture. We look forward to serving
you.
Sincerely,
Moyee Siu, L. Ac.
1754 Technology Drive
Suite # 225 San Jose CA 95110
Tel: 408. 885. 1288
Fax: 408. 885. 0488
Website: www.scalpacupuncture.org
Email: info@scalpacupuncture.org
Opening hours:
Mon-Wed & Fri 10 am to 5 pm
Thur 10 am to 1 pm
Sat 9 am to 12 pm
Closed for lunch 1 pm to 2 pm
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