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Sinusitis is a medical condition where the tissue linings of the sinuses become inflamed. It can be short term, caused by a viral or bacterial infection, or a symptom of a chronic disease that’s triggered by allergies or other factors. Sinusitis is one of the most common medical conditions. While shortterm sinusitis might not trouble you much, a chronic sinus infection can cause massive discomfort. In this regard, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be a great help.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a common inflammation of the tissue linings found inside your sinuses. Most people affected by sinusitis complain of difficulty breathing through the nose and accompanying pressure and pain.
Signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:
Pain and pressure in the area surrounding the nose
Blocked nose and nasal discharge
Reduced sense of smell and taste
Postnasal drip and cough
Fever
Aching upper teeth
Halitosis (bad breath)
Sinusitis has several different types and it depends on how long the conditions last. The different types of sinusitis are:
Acute sinusitis – lasts up to 4 weeks
Sub-acute sinusitis – lasts up to 12 weeks
Chronic sinusitis – lasts for more than 12 weeks
Recurrent sinusitis – multiple diagnosis of sinusitis within a year (3 or more)
Acupuncture for Sinusitis
The condition of sinusitis broadly corresponds to an old Chinese medical category called ‘Bi Yuan 鼻淵’ which literally means ‘nose pool’. TCM practitioners have incorporated a number of treatment methods such as acupuncture and Chinese herb therapies, to restore the body balance and functions in a natural and holistic way.
Acupuncture works on the meridians (energy channels) that run through the body and nourish all tissues. Different parts of these energy channels can get blocked causing deficiency of nourishments and accumulation of toxins thus leading to illness and poor state of physical, emotional, and mental health. Acupuncture involves inserting thin, sterile needles to different parts of the body where needed to resolve the blockages, to restore energy flow and optimal health.
TCM treatment of sinusitis commonly combines acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicines to provide relief from the symptoms. The goal is to eliminate all of the external (i.e. viral or bacterial infections) and internal (i.e. improper diet and lifestyle, sometimes congenital issues) pathogenic factors causing the inflammation and restore nasal function back to normal.
In the view of TCM, repeated invasions of common cold & influenza viruses occur because the Lung energy is weakened. In addition, these infections interfere with the movement of Lung energy which in turn causes the fluids in the nose and sinuses to collect.
Diet can also play an important factor in the development of chronic sinusitis. Food items which are difficult to digest and are consumed on a regular basis will lead to the development and retention of Phlegm which will predispose one to sinusitis.
Acupressure for Sinus Relief
Acupressure is one way to help relieve sinus pressure and other symptoms. This traditional treatment is based on the same methods as acupuncture — it even uses the same points. Instead of needles, pressure is placed at certain points on your face and body using your hands and fingers.
You can do acupressure for sinus symptoms on yourself. It only takes a few minutes.
Use a mirror to help you find the points on your face.
Apply firm but gentle pressure on the points for at least 3 minutes each. You can use your fingers, thumbs, or a thin, blunt object, like the eraser tip of a pencil.
Repeat throughout the day for several days.
You can press on the acupressure points or gently rub or rotate your fingers in a circular motion over the area.
Some common acupuncture points used to treat sinus issues or allergic rhinitis include:
Bitong (EM7)
Yingxiang (LI20)
Hegu (LI4)
Quchi (LI11)
Juliao (ST3)
Yangbai (GB14)
Fenglong (ST40)
Shangxing (GV23)
Sibai (ST2)
Zanzhu (BI2)
Find Out More About Alternative Treatment For Sinusitis
At AKU ENERGIJA, we use a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary advice to help with relief of sinusitis symptoms. Treatment time depends on severity and length of the condition. We generally see reduction in symptoms immediately but sometimes it can take up to serveral weeks in severe cases.
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