The Benefits of Shingles Treatment: Relief and Recovery

At Comprehensive Pain, we understand how debilitating shingles can be and are dedicated to providing effective, compassionate care for those experiencing this condition. Our shingles treatment protocols are designed to reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms, helping you regain comfort as quickly as possible. By utilizing antiviral medications—especially when started early—we can limit the extent of the rash, decrease acute pain, and promote faster healing.
 
As pain management specialists, we are particularly focused on preventing persistent nerve pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia, a common complication of shingles that can cause long-term discomfort. Our team tailors your treatment to not only address the immediate rash and pain, but also to minimize scarring and decrease the risk of the infection spreading to other areas or to vulnerable loved ones.
 
Through our comprehensive, timely intervention, we strive to improve your comfort, speed your recovery, and help you avoid the long-term consequences associated with shingles. If you or a loved one is experiencing shingles, trust Comprehensive Pain to provide the expert care and support you need.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, this virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate years later as shingles, often resulting in a painful rash and nerve pain.
 
At Comprehensive Pain, we understand how significantly shingles can impact your quality of life, especially due to the pain and discomfort it causes. Our team specializes in helping patients manage both the immediate symptoms of shingles and the potential long-term complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia—a condition characterized by persistent nerve pain after the rash has resolved.
 
When you come to Comprehensive Pain with a shingles outbreak, our physicians may prescribe antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir. These medications are most effective when started within 72 hours of symptom onset and can help reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak. While these antivirals are important for managing the infection, they do not remove the virus from your body. The varicella-zoster virus remains inactive in your nerve cells and, although rare, can reactivate again in the future.
 
Managing pain is a key focus at our practice. For patients experiencing severe discomfort or nerve pain, our providers offer a range of advanced pain management options, including nerve blocks, topical medications, and other therapies tailored to each individual’s needs.
 
While most people who experience shingles will not have a second episode, the risk of recurrence remains. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce your risk of future outbreaks and complications. The shingles vaccine (such as Shingrix) is recommended for adults over 50 and certain immunocompromised individuals. Even if you have already had shingles, vaccination can help protect you against future episodes and lessen the chance of developing chronic nerve pain.

Prompt treatment is essential. Our providers at Comprehensive Pain recommend starting antiviral medications—such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir—within 72 hours of the rash’s appearance. These medications can help shorten the course of the outbreak and reduce the intensity and duration of pain. However, some patients may continue to experience residual nerve pain despite antiviral therapy.
 
To address both acute and lingering pain, we offer a multi-faceted approach tailored to your individual needs. This may include:
 
• Topical treatments: Creams or patches to help soothe localized pain.
• Advanced interventions: For severe or persistent cases, our pain specialists may recommend nerve blocks or other interventional procedures to target postherpetic neuralgia.
 
Some patients develop postherpetic neuralgia—ongoing nerve pain that lasts beyond the resolution of the shingles rash. At Comprehensive Pain, our team is experienced in diagnosing and managing postherpetic neuralgia, offering the most current therapies to help restore your quality of life.
 
Our practice is dedicated to comprehensive, compassionate pain management. By working closely with you from the earliest signs of a shingles outbreak through your recovery, we aim to reduce your pain, prevent complications, and help you return to your daily activities as quickly as possible.
 

Early intervention is key. If you develop shingles, our providers can prescribe antiviral medications—such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir—which are most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash’s appearance. These medications not only help shorten the course of the infection but also reduce the severity of your symptoms and the risk of chronic nerve pain.
 
At Comprehensive Pain, we recognize that nerve pain from shingles can be severe and persistent. Our clinic offers a range of advanced pain management options tailored to your needs, including:
 
• Medications for Nerve Pain: Such as certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical therapies like lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to manage acute discomfort.

At Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches, Dr. Bart Gatz, M.D. offers expert care for patients suffering from shingles. This painful viral infection can cause discomfort, itching, and blisters. Dr. Gatz uses a combination of advanced therapies, including antiviral medications and pain management techniques, to help reduce symptoms, promote healing, and prevent complications, ensuring lasting relief for patients.

Choosing Comprehensive Pain of the Palm Beaches means receiving comprehensive care from Dr. Bart Gatz, M.D., who specializes in shingles treatment with personalized and effective solutions. Dr. Gatz works closely with each patient to create a tailored treatment plan, addressing both the acute and long-term effects of shingles. With a focus on comfort and recovery, you can trust Dr. Gatz to help you overcome shingles and restore your quality of life.
 
Our goal at Comprehensive Pain is not only to treat the shingles infection, but also to address any ongoing nerve pain, reducing its intensity and duration. If you experience lingering pain after shingles, our pain specialists will work closely with you to develop a personalized, multidisciplinary treatment plan. For more information, contact us or book an appointment. Our clinics are conveniently located in Greenacres, FL, and Port St. Lucie, FL. We serve patients from Port St. Lucie FL, Stuart FL, Palm City FL, Greenacres FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, and surrounding areas.