Objective To observe the influence of repeated shallow fire-needle acupuncture stimulation plus cupping on local neuralgia and serum substance P(SP)content in patients with acute herpes zoster(AHZ).Methods A total of 60 cases of AHZ patients were randomly divided into control(medication)group and treatment(medication plus fire-needle)group(n=30 in each).Patients of both groups were ordered to take Famciclovir(0.25 g/time

three times a day)and Mecobalamin(0.5 g/time

three times a day)orally for 7 days.In addition

patients of the treatment group were also treated by repeated shallow fire-needle stimulation and cupping

once a day for 7 days.Before and after the treatment

the patient's pain severity was assessed using visual analogue scale(VAS)and serum SP concentration was measured using ELISA.Results After the treatment

the VAS scores and serum SP concentrations in both groups were significantly decreased in comparison with those of their own pre-treatment(P<0.01)

and were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.01).There was a highly positive correlation between the decreased VAS score and serum SP content in the treatment group(P<0.01).Conclusion Repeated shallow fire-needle stimulation plus cupping can accelerate the relief of local neuralgia in AHZ patients

which may be associated with its effect in down-regulating serum SP level.