Acupuncture Works Well in the Treatment of Sinusitis

Used for tens of centuries to cure various types of diseases, acupuncture is a 5000 plus year old treatment that works for psychological problems and for physical problems as well. It works marvelously in treating postsurgical pain and different types of pains and even allergies. This means then that acupuncture in Orlando can also treat sinusitis and other sinus conditions.

Sinusitis is a condition that can turn irritating and painful when it is prolonged due to the fact that there is no specific allopathic treatment for it. A lot of sinusitis sufferers deal with intense headaches that make them even more in distress. Sinusitis causes patients to suffer from pain, pressure and congestion in their heads especially around their eyes and cheeks.

More and more people are discovering the usefulness of acupuncture in the treatment of sinusitis. This treatment involves the application of hair-thin needles into specific points in the body to rectify the imbalances of Qi (the energy of the body). Acupoints selected are derived from the results of Chinese medicine diagnosis. In Chinese medicine, so many times, sinusitis is identified as external factors invading the lung in the case of colds or as lung Qi deficiency.

The acupoints used to treat the symptoms and their underlying cause include the Yin Tang and Bi tong (local points surrounding the sinus), and St 2, Li 20 as well as the Lu 5, and Lu 9 and some acupoints situated on the arms. This treatment releases sinus pressure and restores the flow to the blocked sinus. And when the sinus blockage is cleared, the person then experiences immediate relief.

Qi and blood is transported to the spot where discomfort and pain is felt when these acupuncture points are used. The needling of the correct distal points addresses the energy imbalance that contributes to the sinusitis condition.

So, we can say that rather than controlling or stopping your sinus problems with antibiotics, you can visit your nearest qualified acupuncturist and ask for the appropriate treatment; allow the treatment to run on the belief that Qi must flow freely throughout the body.

Sinusitis Relief Using Acupuncture Treatment

Sinusitis is an acute respiratory problem that can last a few weeks or can turn into a permanent chronic condition. It can appear as a minor nuisance or can become an all out debilitating problem. Several factors can lead to symptoms when the sinuses are affected by certain causes.

One of these causes includes the inability of the cilia (small hairs) in the sinus cavities to move along mucous which leads to the mucosal blockage of the cavity. Other causes include nasal polyps, a deviated septum, excessive mucus produced by the body or even a bone spur preventing the sinus from draining.

Western modalities for sinusitis vary. They range from weekly allergy shots, steroids, and over-the-counter medications.
Relieving Sinusitis Symptoms with Acupuncture

A 1982 study orchestrated by Yeh and Pothman tested the effectiveness of acupuncture on sinusitis symptoms. The test showed that acupuncture was a superior treatment compared to antibiotics that was used in the control group. The relief provided by acupuncture lasted for a minimum of three months. A good acupuncturist will resolve your sinusitis condition with the use of proven Chinese Medicine diagnostic procedures to evaluate the underlying reason that usually includes an invasion of Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. These invasions compromise the balance of the descending and ascending Lung Qi that in turn causes the fluids in the sinuses and nose to stagnate. To fortify a weakened body, the acupuncturist manipulates the patient’s energy channels using acupuncture. This will help release stuck or sluggish energy. The treatment also helps release in the body endorphins, natural pain killing chemicals that can help alleviate the discomfort. Acupuncture also heals inflammation and boosts the flow of blood in the body.

Penetrating Sinusitis from Within using Homeopathy

Applying the principle of ‘like cures like,’ homeopathy helps the body to self heal through the administration of remedies taken from minerals, animals, plants and sometimes even humans. Sweet pellets often taken sublingually or drunk as liquids are applied as treatments. In the case of sinusitis, homeopathic remedies that can be individually prescribed include: Kali Bichromicum, Hepar Sulphur, Mercurius, Belladona, or Arsenicum.

Galina Semyonova is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist in New York City. She has studied extensively in the fields of biofeedback therapy, SCENAR therapy, Chinese herbal treatments and Chinese and Western nutrition.

Sinusitis Treatments and Drugs

The main objective of sinusitis treatment is to minimize the inflammation in the sinus opening and nose to enhance drainage. A number of medical treatments may be needed to achieve this. Your doctor will treat an infection, and lessen the symptoms of a congested or runny nose. The treatment of chronic sinusitis is different compared to acute sinusitis treatment although they may use the same medications. Some of the effective treatments include:

Nasal wash – A saline or saltwater nasal wash cleans out bacteria and mucus from the sinuses and nose. It can relieve symptoms of postnasal drip and nasal congestion temporarily.  A nasal wash also aids in washing out environmental triggers from your nasal lining. Using a nasal wash prior to the use of a medicated nasal spray provides for a much more effective treatment.

Steroid nasal spray – Your doctor may prescribe a prescription steroid nasal spray for the control of your mucus production and nasal inflammation.  This type of nasal spray can help better sinus drainage and lessen nasal congestion symptoms. It does not, however, bring prompt symptom relief and can entail a number of weeks of regular use to have some effect.  For chronic sinusitis, this spray can have a beneficial effect with daily use; a person suffering from occasional episodes of sinusitis need to use this spray on an occasional basis.  For sinus and nasal problems a combination of nasal steroid sprays and nasal wash can be very potent for a lot of patients suffering from sinus and nasal problems. Some steroid nasal sprays include:

Beclomethasone – Qnasi
Ciclesonide – Zetonna
Budesonide – Rhinocort
Mometasone – Nasonex
Flunisolide – Nasarel
Triamcinolone – Nasacort , Nasacort AQ

Some side effects of these drugs can include bleeding and nasal dryness

Antibiotics – These medications control bacterial infections and are quite popular since many cases of sinusitis result from bacterial infection.  In using antibiotics, you may need to finish the treatment course which may take a whole week to up to three weeks or even longer.  The type of antibiotic you use often depends on your symptoms, past use of antibiotics and drug allergies.

Many bouts of sinusitis (from upper respiratory infection) can be effectively addressed without the utilization of antibiotics by treatments that target the specific symptoms and the nasal inflammation. Wrong antibiotics use can result in side effects and bacterial resistance, hence, these drugs should be used thoughtfully and carefully.

Decongestants – Decongestants are offered as nasal sprays, syrup or tablet and help unblock the sinus openings and temporarily minimize nasal congestion symptoms. Popular over-the-counter decongestants include pseudoephedrine or Dimetapp and Sudafed.  Combining antihistamine/ decongestant drugs produces optimal benefits. Topical nasal decongestant sprays help in the prompt reduction of swollen nasal tissue. They need to be utilized for just 2 to 3 days since frequent use can result in the return of nasal congestion but with more severe symptoms. Systemic decongestants also help minimize the swelling of the lining of the nose and helping improve sinus drainage function. Systemic decongestants can easily cause side effects some of which include nervousness, prostate problems in men, sleeplessness, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Antihistamines – These are drugs to neutralize the effects of histamine, a chemical appearing in the body during allergic reactions. Antihistamines are offered in syrup, tablet or spray form and can effectively lessen the allergic symptoms of itchy nose and eyes and sneezing as well as minimize mucus production and nasal stuffiness. Some over-the-counter antihistamines include:

Diphenhydramine – Benadryl
Chlorpheniramine – Chlor-Trimeton
Loratadine – Claritin

Newer kinds of prescription antihistamines have no drowsy side effects. Some of them are:

Cetirizine – Zyrtec
Fexofenadine – Allergra
Desloratadine – Clarinex

Some nasal spray antihistamines are:

Olopatadine – Patanase
Azelastine – Astepro

Leukotriene modifiers – These drugs fight the leukotrienes that cause inflammation in the skin, eyes, lungs, sinuses and nose.  Leukotriene modifiers are medicines that can help reduce nasal and sinus inflammation and can be a good product if you have aspirin sensitivity and nasal polyps. They can be combined with antihistamines and nasal sprays.  Leukotriene modifiers include:

Zileutron – Zyflo, Zyflo CR
Montelukast – Singulair

Liver enzymes may increase when you use Zyflo and Zyflo CR.

Pain relievers – For acute sinusitis analgesic or pain relievers can address fever and pain symptoms. Ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen are some OTC analgesics. Doctors may prescribe also stronger analgesics.

Systemic steroids – These types of steroids are occasionally used to treat extreme sinus and nasal inflammation like nasal polyps. Systemic steroids are available in syrup, pill or as an injectable injected into a vein or a muscle. These drugs are quite potent that help address sinus and nasal conditions. They also have a lot of side effects including menstrual irregularities, vision change, osteoporosis, stomach irritation, mood changes, high blood sugar, high blood pressure and cataract formation. When used long-term the side effects of these drugs become more dangerous and so systemic steroids are often prescribed as a pill in slowly decreasing dosages until the drug is entirely stopped.

Acupuncture – You can get relief from your symptoms using acupuncture treatment. This oriental medical procedure uses hair-thin needles inserted at certain points in the body to rectify energy or chi imbalances in the body. Chi is the vital energy in the body that is as important as blood and the slow or impeded flow of this energy causes imbalances that result in pain and disease. Acupuncture points are determined by your diagnosis. Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) sees a connection between the lungs and the nose and chi deficiency in the lung is often seen as one culprit causing the sinusitis – the other culprit is an external factor like the common cold.

When your acupuncturist has successfully diagnosed your condition, he then uses specific acupuncture points to treat the symptoms. Chi and blood are delivered to body region to address the discomfort and pain. Acupuncture eases the patient by removing sinus pressure and blockage for better sinus drainage. The truth is that the more blocked sinus opening is released the more relief a patient gets.

Willow Tree Wellness Clinic
1607 NE 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Ph: 503-281-0030
http://willowtreeclinic.com/ 

Sinusitis Prevention

There are so many ways to help lessen or prevent altogether your chance of developing sinusitis or address early symptoms of sinusitis. Keeping the nasal passages clear and improving drainage are the two most important things to remember in sinusitis prevention. To attain them, here are some tips to follow:

Daily wash your nasal passages – This can be done by gently running water into the nasal passages to moisten membranes and remove excess mucus.  The best times to perform these are when you are brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. You can apply nasal saline spray in the daytime to moisten your nasal passages.

Drinking copious amounts of water – A well-hydrated body keeps the mucus loose and thin. Always keep a bottle of water at your desk during work and always remind yourself to drink water or other fluids by, for example, placing a glass near the kitchen sink to serve as a reminder to drink water during the day.

Breathe in steam – Stay for a while inside the bathroom during a hot shower. Or you can boil water, pour it into a pan; cover your head with a towel and bend towards the pan to inhale the steam.

Stay away from dry environments – At home always use a humidifier especially near your bed so that your nasal passages will be prevented from drying out.  Also you need to keep your humidifier clean and mold and bacteria free.

Keep your head elevated while you sleep – When your head is down when you sleep at night mucus can accumulate in your sinuses; therefore, keep your head elevated by using pillows on your head or a wedge on the front legs of your bed when you sleep.

Treat your nose with care – This means gently blowing your nose, one nostril at a time. Blowing your nose in a forceful manner will just irritate the nasal passages and bring back the infected mucus into your sinuses.

Unless prescribed, do not use any antihistamines – These medicines tend to thicken the mucus making it difficult to expel. However, if your sinusitis is caused by an allergy, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine for you combined with other drugs.

Take proper care when using decongestants – Decongestant tablets that have pseudoephedrine helps contract membranes and enable the nasal passages to open. Decongestant nose sprays that have oxymetazoline or phenylephrine act fast and effectively. However, use of topical nasal decongestants for one to two days can increase the risk of dependency due to rebound — more swelling after the drug wears off. The use of oral decongestants can also cause side effects like blood pressure increase and jitters. So, if you suffer from high blood pressure, talk to your doctor first before using these drugs.

 

Dr. Vickery is a licensed acupuncturist in Tarzana, CA., and the founder and clinical director of Vickery Health and Wellness.