Objective: The purpose is to discuss the clinical effects of Tongluo Zhitong decoction united tapping and cupping methods to treat agedness ostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and observe the influence of it on serum interleukin-2 (IL-2)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Method: One hundred and twenty elder patients with PHN were randomly divided into control group (60 cases) and observation group (60 cases).in control group

Control group amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets

25 mg/time

only 1 time at night

taken orally;mecobalamin tablets

0.5 mg/time

3 times/day

taken orally

paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets

1 piece/time

taken when necessary

diclofenac sodium cream

coated infected part appropriately.For patients in observation group

they took tapping acupuncture cupping

every other day

continuing using ten times;Tongluo Zhitong decoction

1 does/day

taken orally.When necessary

patients can take acetaminophen tramadol tablets.Both groups were treated for 4 weeks.Record pain degree

time of pain relief

evaluate sleep quality

and application amount of paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets. Detect the level of serum IL-2 and TNF-α before and after treatment. Result: The total treatment efficacy of the observation group was 95.0% superior to 81.67% of the control group(P<0.05). After one week of the treatment

the pain degree of the two groups were both lower than that before the treatment

at 2

3

4 weeks

the pain degree score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.01). After one week of the treatment

the sleep quality score of the two groups were lower than that before the treatment(P<0.01)

the alleviative time of pain of the observation group was less than that of the control group(P<0.01)

besides

the dosage of paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets were less than that of the control group(P<0.01). Conclusion: Guided by the collateral disease theory can relief the pain of elderly PHN patients

and improve their sleep quality when tapping and cupping and Tongluo Zhitong decoction were used

which also had obvious clinical effect

and the mechanism of action may be related to improve the level of IL-2

and relief the level of TNF-α

and regulate immune function

reduce injury of neurological function which caused by inflammation.