Can Acupuncture Help with Sinus Problems

Around 2% of the population visit their doctor with some kind of sinus problem each year. This is a huge number, and a lot of these people feel that traditional medicine isn’t doing enough to help them treat the problem. Which is why many people want to know – can acupuncture help with sinus problems?

Acute sinusitis is a condition where the patient’s nose and sinuses become inflamed. Causing the person to have congested nasal passages, blockages, discharge from the nose and pain in their face. All conditions that the use of acupuncture needles can help with in some cases.

These conditions can last up to 12 weeks. It’s incredibly uncomfortable and difficult to deal with while the symptoms persist. Chronic sinusitis on the other hand is much more severe. Patients have all of the aforementioned symptoms, but they are exaggerated and do not go away after 12 weeks. Often staying with them for their lifetime. Meaning they need to find a way to lessen the effects and live as full of a life as they can.

Treatments doctors typically prescribe for both acute and chronic sinusitis include:

• Oral antibiotics
• Nebulized antibiotics
• Intravenous antibiotics
• Sinus surgery

In the case of many patients however these methods do not cure the problem, or even manage the symptoms. There are a lot of alternative medicines that people turn to, and there just as high chance of success in many cases. At the very least, using alternative medicine as a compliment to traditional medicine increases the chance of managing the symptoms.

Can Acupuncture Help with Sinus Problems

Acupuncture is one of the many complimentary forms of alternative medicine. An acupuncturist will use the acupuncture points in the face to trigger certain responses. Such as opening up the sinuses, using acupuncture points to increase nasal breathing, and unblocking ears.

There are a lot of testimonials from patients who have had this form of treatment and report positive results. It’s important to remember that each individual reacts differently to acupuncture, and a plan of two treatments a week for several weeks is recommended before evaluating the results.

How Acupuncture Helps with Sinusitis

There is a limited amount of studies into this exact application and. But there is some evidence to work off. Acupuncture has been used to successfully relieve nasal congestion. Lessening the effects of the symptoms a patient is experiencing.

Some of the effects of acupuncture to help with sinusitis symptoms include:

• Increasing the body’s production of endorphin’s
• Increases local microcirculation to help reduce swelling
• Stimulates the body to strengthen the immune system
• Stimulates nerves in the tissues and muscles in the face to lessen the pain

Overall the effect on a patient is a more stimulated nervous system, which causes the release of neurochemicals. This promotes an increase in a person’s physical and mental well being. Along with reduced symptoms of the sinus problems, the general level of sensitivity and pain the patient is experiencing will be reduced.

Other Alternative Medicine Treatments for Sinusitis

Nasal Washes

Using a mix of salt-water can be very effective at clearing out the nasal passages and sinuses. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of salt into warm water and stir. Then gently pour this solution into each nasal passage and let it work into the sinus cavities and back out.

Flush the water out with just warm water and spit out any that flows through into your throat. Repeat this 2-3 times daily to flush out the sinuses and clear any blockages building up.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese medicine uses a formula of herbs for all kinds of medical issues. There are herbs and pills designed to help with sinus congestion and these will work wonders for some people. While others will not feel any different. So it’s worth trying, but don’t rely on results.

There are a lot of different herbs and combinations. I recommend visiting a Chinese herbal specialist in your area for a consultation and advice on which herbs will be best for you.

Massage

Massage therapy and acupressure can be performed on the head to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. Indian head massages are particularly helpful and I recommend trying this therapy.

There are some self-massage techniques you can teach yourself as well as visiting a professional. You can expect to experience improved hearing, relief from headaches, reduced pain and sensitivity in the face, and increased breathing.

Essential Oils

There are specific essential oils to help with the symptoms of sinusitis. You can use these oils by either having them massaged into your skin, or diffused into the air.

The healing benefits of oils are wide and varied and I always recommend looking into these while using other forms of treatment.

So, can acupuncture help with sinus problems as it’s own treatment. Yes it can. But complimented with other forms of alternative medicine, or traditional medicine it will be more effective.