Herpes Zoster is caused by varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes the chickenpox. The virus remains dormant in the spinal cord region, and is usually activated in immunocompromised patients or under a lot of stress. The virus usually occurs in adults, especially over the age of 50. The virus causes localized vesicular skin lesions confined to one side of the body and causes severe pain to the affected nerves.

The pain of Shingles usually does not respond to customary pain medications. Often, the patient will be given an anti-viral medication to shorten the duration, and anti-depressant medications or anti-seizure medications to decrease the nerve pain. Often this is not enough to control the pain of shingles as it is usually a very intense pain. If the pain is not resolved with medication, Shingles may be treated with injection therapy directly to the area where the virus lies. The use of injections, such as epidural steroid injections, often helps reduce the severe pain caused by shingles and decreases the duration of the virus. Quick and aggressive treatment of shingles often prevents it from becoming a long term problem.