What is a sinus infection or sinusitis? Sinusitis is a kind of inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Sinuses are usually filled with air. But when they are congested and filled with fluid, germs, bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive there and be the chief cause of infections. Conditions that result from an infected sinus are: allergic rhinitis, which is actually a swelling of the lining of the nose; small growths in the lining called nasal polyps; or a shift in the nasal cavity called deviated septum. The symptoms of sinusitis are rather trying, causing ample distress to the sufferer. Treatment is often symptomatic, more focused towards alleviating the symptoms rather than concentrating on the root cause. The following symptoms will tell you that you are suffering from a sinus infection.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis does not last for a very long time. An acute infection is usually part of a cold or allergies. Chronic sinus infections can last for about eight weeks or so and tend to recur. There are sinus infection symptoms which are common to both acute and chronic forms. Paying your doctor a visit can help you determine the reason behind your infection and understand which is the best way to treat your sinusitis.
People May Experience:
- Pain: in the back of the eyes, face, forehead, nose, or sinuses
- A headache:which can be chronic, frontal, nasal, or severe
- A cough: This can be pretty severe
- Nasal: congestion, sense of smell gets disrupted, continuous itching, loss of smell, runny nose, post-nasal drip, or sneezing
- Whole body: extreme tiredness, fever, flushing, or a feeling of malaise
- Head:pressure, sinus pressure, or tenderness
- Sleep:Difficulty in sleeping or snoring
- Throat: irritation or soreness
- Facial: swelling or tenderness
Reflexology to Treat Sinuses
Reflexology points for sinuses are situated at the back of all ten toes, opposite the nails and at the tip of all the fingers excluding both thumbs. They can be located very easily and are representative of the sinus tissue. When activated, they can help mitigate the sinusitis symptoms which cause distress.
Main Reflexology Point
- The Points on Your Feet– The main reflexology point related to the sinuses is situated at the top and bottom of both big toes. To activate this zone, you need to knead it gently. The correct procedure to do this is to hold your toe with your forefinger and give it a gentle rub to the area with the help of your thumb in gentle feather like circular motions, as if attempting to crush some herbs. Use the right hand to massage your right foot and the left hand to stimulate the left foot, massage both feet for two minutes, concentrating on each foot for a minute each.
- Reflexology Point for the Nose– To activate pressure points for sinuses, specifically, the nose, you need to know that the right side of the nose is mirrored on the left big toe and the acupressure point for the left side of the nose is located on the right big toe. Specifically, it is to be found right above the knuckle and is right next to the nail where the skin meets the sole.
The impact: By activating the reflexology points of the nose, the energy, balance, and harmony of the nasal passages is restored, which is disrupted by intermittent sneezing and mucous. Since the nose is not the area where mucous is produced, and is actually only a carrier through which it passes, activation of these points can make you feel better by easing off the blockage, but it does not decrease the production of mucous significantly. Massaging these points and combining with the sinus points can give you relief from a blocked nose.
The technique: Stimulate the nasal points effectively by using the opposite hands on these points like the left hand for the right foot and vice versa. Cushion the thumb with your fingers and knead the sides of the toe with the thumb, the movement being sideways from the side of toenail to the base of the toe and then back, massaging each toe for about thirty seconds each.
- Arms and Hands Points–You can alleviate conditions like a headache and also other symptoms related to sinusitis like difficulty in breathing by reflexology. Massaging these points helps increasing the blood flow and hence sinusitis is effectively managed by the help of lymphatic drainage. Massaging these points can also help in increasing blood flow to other parts of the body, specifically the neck, face and head. There are a multitude of benefits of reflexology in treating sinusitis. The important points on arms and hands are which are effective in abating the symptoms of sinusitis are:
- Between index finger and thumb:Applying pressure on the joint between the thumb and index finger is beneficial in reducing nasal pain and irritation, you just have to stimulate it for two minutes.
- Fingertips and nails: The point of activation is on the two nails. Put pressure on the area right behind the nails. Stimulate it for some time to get satisfactory results.
- Inner gate: The position at the back of the wrist is known as an inner gate; you need to put pressure on this spot to get effective results.
Acupressure Points for Sinuses
Besides employing reflexology to treat acute sinusitis, you also need to activate acupressure points to get effective results, especially when you are dealing with chronic sinusitis. By activating these points, you can treat the condition as it’s part of chronic sinusitis treatment.
1. Bridge of Nose Massage – Massage the area right at the bridge of the nose. Press the area with the help of your thumb either alternatively, that is, one at a time, or press the area with both thumbs for five minutes to ensure a good mucous drainage.
2. Hollow Point – Let your fingers find a large hollow area at the back of the neck where the neck joins the head. This pressure point corresponds to the sinuses and applying pressure here with the middle finger for about four minutes can help in reducing congestion, headaches and also alleviates stress to a large extent.
3. Nostril Edge – Another acupressure point is located on the cheeks, at the end of the side of nostrils. Press this area with the help of your thumb or fingers for a good four minutes and it results in better breathing and helps clear nasal passages. This is a great pressure point for sinusitis.
4. The base of the Skull – Search for the base of the skull point by resting your head in your hands, placing the thumbs behind the ears and letting your fingers trace the skull bone by going backwards. Press this point for two minutes and knead this area whenever you have time to get relief from a common cold, headaches and nose blockage.
5. Upper outside Shin – This is a potent point situated under the knee cap, on one side of the shin where there is a meeting point of muscle and bone. It is situated on the left side of the left leg and the right side of the right leg. Massage this area nicely by putting pressure to ensure blood flow to the ears and the sinuses. It provides relief by increasing the circulation.
6. Collar Bone– Find the collar bone pressure point situated in a hollow area right below each collar bone, where it meets the breastbone. It gives a boost to your immunity and also gives you relief from sinus infections. Press these points to deal with acute sinusitis.
Take the right precautions and avoid distressing about acute symptoms of sinusitis. Whenever you find yourself bogged down by the beginnings of a headache or nasal congestion, try and incorporate these techniques and activate acupressure points to get significant relief. Keep repeating these techniques and assuage the symptoms of sinusitis. If you put your mind to it you can give yourself great relief by employing sinus infection remedies. So take the holistic approach and stay fit and healthy with the help of reflexology!
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