How to Treat Cold Sores With Acupuncture
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV1). Most people have some HSV1 antibodies in their blood at all times. It is not unusual to develop cold sores after being sick or going through a period of emotional stress. There are many over-the-counter and prescription medications that can treat cold sores. Acupuncture is a natural alternative that can be used to treat cold sores. Acupuncture can help manage the pain associated with cold sores, as well as realign the body's inner balance to reduce stress. Less stress can mean fewer cold sores in the future.
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Things You'll Need
- Health insurance information
- Directory of acupuncturists
- Loose clothing
Instructions
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Speak to your doctor about your wish to treat your cold sores with acupuncture if you want to try to get the appointments covered by your health insurance. Some insurance plans may require your primary care physician to refer you to a specialist.
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Find a licensed acupuncturist in your area. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has a searchable directory of certified acupuncture providers on its website (see Resources below). Search by your zip code, phone number or city and state.
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Write down some notes about the occurrence of your cold sores to give to the acupuncturist. Factors you may want to include are how often you get them, what the pain feels like ("sharp," "dull," "radiating" and "constant" are useful terms) and how much stress you feel in your life when the cold sores occur.
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Eat a small meal or snack 2 hours before your first acupuncture appointment. An empty stomach combined with acupuncture can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages before your appointment.
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Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves and pant legs that can be rolled up easily. Many of the pressure points used to treat both the pain and stress associated with cold sores are between the ankles and knees and between the wrists and elbows.
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Avoid straining your body in any way for 2 hours before your acupuncture appointment. This includes heavy lifting, sexual activity or even just rushing around to get to your appointment on time. These activities weaken your body and decrease the effectiveness of the treatments.
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Tips & Warnings
The effectiveness of acupuncture to treat cold sores is variable. As cold sores stem from a virus, be aware that the acupuncture will not heal the cold sores themselves. Some people find some pain relief and a reduction of the emotional stress that can lead to cold sores immediately following an appointment. Others may not see the benefits of the treatments for several sessions.
