Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with pricking and cupping therapy in the treatment of acute herpes zoster and its impact on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 236 patients with acute herpes zoster admitted between July 2022 and July 2024. Based on the treatment method, patients were divided into three groups: a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) external treatment group (basic treatment + acupuncture combined with pricking and cupping), a hormone group (basic treatment + glucocorticoids), and a control group (basic treatment only). Statistical analysis was performed on the clinical data of the three groups to compare the blister drying time, pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores, and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Results: The blister drying times in the TCM external treatment group, hormone group, and control group were (6.29 ± 1.59) days, (7.14 ± 1.48) days, and (9.00 ± 1.48) days, respectively. The pain NRS scores at 4 weeks after treatment were 0.41 ± 0.63, 0.28 ± 0.48, and 0.95 ± 0.92, respectively. The incidence rates of PHN were 33.9%, 27.1%, and 61.1%, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (Ps＜0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the pain NRS scores at 4 weeks after treatment or the incidence of PHN between the TCM external treatment group and the hormone group (Ps＞0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with pricking and cupping therapy significantly shortens the blister drying time in acute herpes zoster, alleviates pain, and reduces the incidence of PHN.

Key words: herpes zoster, acupuncture, pricking and cupping therapy, glucocorticoids, postherpetic neuralgia