Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis is a condition that affects millions of Canadians each year. It is a condition that involves inflammation of the paranasal sinuses due to; infection (bacterial, viral or fungal), allergies, or autoimmune disorders. Symptoms may include; nasal congestion, facial pain or pressure, headaches, tightness or fullness of the sinuses, pain when bending foward, and dizziness lasting longer than three months.
Chronic Sinusitis is typically treated with antibiotics, cortico-steroids or even surgery, but natural alternatives like acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine have proven to be very effective.
Regular acupuncture treatments can help ease the symptoms snd clear the root cause. Points located near and around the nasal cavity, aided with supplemental points are well known to dispel congestion and get the energy flowing more freely. Another technique known as 'Guasha' is also effective in helping ease and prevent chronic sinusitis.
Ruling out dietary sensitivities/allergies such as dairy or wheat may prove to be useful, as well as environmental factors such as temperature variations (damp cold) and mold.
With the use of a 'neti pot' , a small teapot helps to flush out the nasal cavity with a saline solution, by clearing congestion and aiding in breathing. The use of essential oils can be beneficial when doing a steam inhalation. Eucalyptus and Japanese Mint oil are well-known to improve sinus congestion, Thyme oil is excellent as an anti-sinusitis oil and is known for having anti-bacterial properties as well. Place five drops in a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over the head, inhale the steam and allow the sinuses to clear for approximately five minutes.
Natural alternatives can provide lasting relief from chronic sinus pain, which doesn't result in harmful side-effects. Contact your Registered Acupuncturist for more information.

Acupuncture for the Needle Phobic? It doesn't have to be a terrifying experience

What is it that makes most people a little shy of acupuncture? Is it the thought of a foreign object penetrating the skin? The idea of pain or injury caused by the needle? Ask anyone who hasn't experienced a treatment, and those are legitimate concerns.

But acupuncture doesn't have to be a scary process. The actual acupuncture needle is 1/10 the size of a regular hypodermic needle, essentially the same diameter as a few human hairs. The reason why an acupuncture needle doesn't cause bleeding is that is that the edge of the needle is rounded or polished, this tends to push the cells aside, where as a hypodermic needle has a sharp point, like a knife blade that can slice through. Acupuncture points are usually situated away from major blood vessels, therefore bleeding does not typically occur. Most people feel a little 'prick' once the needle goes in, a similar sensation to a mosquito bite, that dissipates after a few seconds. Common sensations are a feeling of pressure, or electricity once the needle taps into the energy or 'Qi'.

Still not convinced? There are many modalities that a Registered Acupuncturist can use instead of needling and still be very effective; Cupping - to help relieve muscle tension and relieve cold symptoms; Guasha - a technique using tiger balm, effective for sinusitis; Tuina (or massage) using acupressure points to relieve muscle tension and bring about relaxation; and Moxabustion used for warming cold conditions and improving circulation and energy flow. Acupuncture doesn't have to be scary, the more people know about this wonderful medicine, the less uncertainties remain.

"I was nervous about the needles, and could feel my skin getting clammy. But after a few treatments, I welcomed the needles, I knew they would be so soothing." -- Paul Buck