As I understand it, shingles tend to happen only once, but genital herpes can recur frequently at first and less frequently as we get older. They are often stress induced as well. This channel wraps around the genitalia and spreads over the chest. These two locations are common areas for herpes outbreaks. As far as the pain associated with the shingles, we often use acupuncture to address this aspect of the problem.
Acupuncture loves pain.
The most frequently prescribed herbal formula for herpes out breaks that are red and fluid filled is called Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. It is available at many Chinese medicine pharmacies. Al Stone L.Ac.