Sinus
Sinusitis or sinus infection is a very common chronic illness with a substantial health impact. Sinus infection happens when the mucous membrane lining the nose and paranasal sinuses become swollen as an inflammatory reaction to the presence of viruses, fungi, or bacteria infection.
Sinusitis can seriously decrease quality of life
The paranasal sinuses are air spaces located inside the bones of the nose, forehead, cheeks, and eyes. These spaces influence breathing, speech, and smell. When sinuses are healthy mucus can flow freely and air can circulate. Sinusitis can seriously decrease quality of life and requires significant direct medical expenditures.
Acupressure
Traditional Chinese Acupressure, derived from acupuncture, is a non-invasive, safe, and effective technique that uses finger pressure at specific points in the body helps release stuck Qi and restore natural balance and circulation.
- Benefits of Acupressure for Sinus infections
- Research on Acupoints For Nasal Symptoms
- Chinese Medicine’s view of blocked sinus
Acupressure improves energy flow in the body and accelerates healing, works for draining and unblocking sinuses.
It also improves blood flow so that oxygen can reach all parts of the body, strengthens the immune system, and studies have shown that it can help patients with lower back pain, headaches, osteoarthritis pain, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, menstrual pain, dental pain, fibromyalgia pain, pain before and after surgery, stomach pain and indigestion, gases and bloating, nausea-vomiting, and sleep disturbance. (1,2,3,4)
Research by Xue et al., (2002) conducted at the RMIT University in Australia and published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine states that subjets receiving treatment in these acupoints had significant improvement in nasal symptoms (sneezing, watery rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, and itching nose) and non-nasal symptoms (itching eyes and eye-watering). “The effect is not associated with any side effects and usage of relief medications other than acupuncture given” (5)
Sinus infection is caused when the energy in the Lung meridian is weak and factors such as Wind, Cold, or Heat attacks occur, the meridian cannot repel them so they remain and concentrate in the head and nose, causing inflammation. Acupressure for congestion and other symptoms of Sinusitis can treat the root cause of it.
Acute and Chronic Sinusitis
TCM fundamentally differentiates two conditions: acute and chronic sinusitis.
Acute Sinus involves a nonspecific inflammation of the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses. It is usually characterized by headache, nasal obstruction, purulent rhinorrhea, and sometimes fever as well. Acute conditions positively respond to acupressure within a few days.
Chronic Sinus is often an evolution of the previous table in time. Sometimes as a consequence of treatment interruptions or relapses. It is associated with the retention of pathogenic factors due to the weakness of the Lung Qi and Spleen Qi.
Working on different acupuncture points for sinuses can offer comfort when conventional treatments don’t stop sinus symptoms.
Acupressure points for sinus infections
How to clear sinuses pressure points you should know:
YINGXIANG - Large Intestine 20 - L.I. 20
Location: In the nasolabial groove, on the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the nostrils (in the hollow just outside each nostril)
Actions: Opens the nasal passages, expels wind, clears the heat. It is an effective acupressure point for blocked nose.
Method: If there is a lot of sensitivity in the nose, start with a less painful side. Apply firm deep pressure with inward direction. Apply pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation, several times for 1 to 3 minute cycles, rest and start over again. Do this 2 times a day every day for a week or until you feel better.
ZANZHU - Bladder 2 - BL 20
Location: with the tip of your thumb or index finger probe the area where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows until you feel a slight dip.
Actions: Benefits eye congestion, expels external pathogenic factors such as wind, clears the heat, clears the head.
Method: Apply firm pressure in an upward direction. The initial painful sensation will soon begin to subside. Apply pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation, several times for 1 to 3 minute cycles, rest and start over again. Do this 2 times a day, every day for a week or until you feel better.
YINTANG - Ex-HN-3
Location: with the tip of your thumb or index finger probe the area between the two eyebrows until
you feel a slight dip, in the center is Yintang
Actions: Calms nerves and anxiety, benefits the nose, eliminates (internal) wind, opens the channel, and alleviates pain
Method: Apply firm deep pressure in an upward direction. Apply pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation, several times for 1 to 3 minute cycles, rest and start over again. Do this 2 times a day, every day for a week or until you feel better.
QUANLIAO - Small intestine 18 - Si18
Location: At the intersection of a vertical line through the outer canthus of the eye with the lower
border of the zygomatic bone, on the anterior border of the masseter muscle.
Actions: Eliminates wind, alleviates pain, clears the heat, reduces swellings.
Method: Apply pressure during exhalation and release during inhalation, several times for 1 to 3 minute cycles, rest and start over again. Do this 2 times a day, every day for a week or until you feel better.
Note: Please remember that this is a generalized example of treatment with acupressure points for sinusitis. Treatment should always be based on the patient’s symptoms and the seriousness of the affectation.
What else can I do to manage sinus
Sinusitis, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners, may aggravate by external or internal causes, as well as diet and stress. Since certain foods increase phlegms, diet is particularly important in any illness involving these. Cold, greasy, and too spicy foods should be avoided by the patient. Sweets aggravate the condition as well as dairy products, providing direct input from the sinuses in the form of increased congestion and discomfort.
In addition, cupping is also beneficial for the sinus. Cupping for sinus also work on stimulation of different acupressure points. Learn more about cupping points for sinus by having a consultation with our TCM specialists now.
Bi Yan Pian
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References:
- Collins KB, Thomas DJ. Acupuncture and acupressure for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 2004; 16 (2): 76-80.
- Tsay SL, Rong JR, Lin PF. acupoints massage in improving the quality of sleep and quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2003; 42 (2): 134-142.
- Klein AA, Djaiani G, Karski J, Carroll J, Karkouti K, McCluskey S, Poonawala H, Shayan C, Fedorko L, Cheng D. Acupressure wristbands for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia 2004; 18 (1): 68-71
- Tsay SL, Chen ML. Acupressure and quality of sleep in patients with end- stage renal disease-arandomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies 2003; 40: 1-7.
- Xue, Charlie & English, Robert & Zhang, Jerry & Da Costa, Cliff & Li, Chun-Guang. (2002). Effect of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. The American journal of Chinese medicine. 30. 1-11. 10.1142/S0192415X0200020X.
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
