Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Sinusitis is about the natural treatments for sinusitis (sinus infection/inflammation)/sinus problems through acupuncture. Acupuncture has been traditionally used to treat respiratory conditions in China for more than a thousand years. These include sinusitis/sinus problems, allergic asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
There are higher rates of sinusitis in the South, Midwest, and among women in the U.S.A. Furthermore, kids younger than 15 years of age and adults aged 25 to 64 years are affected most.
Acupuncture has a beneficial effect when treating many diseases and painful conditions. Therefore, acupuncture is thought to be useful as a complementary, alternative and integrative therapy for Sinusitis.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Indeed, the symptoms of sinusitis can be very painful and uncomfortable. This includes fever (usually low-grade, but higher in some cases), cough, headache, earache, toothache, facial pain, cranial pressure, difficulty breathing through the nose, loss of the sense of smell, fatigue, malaise, halitosis (persistent bad breath) and facial pain. Furthermore, it can even cause facial swelling along with a stuffy nose and thick discharge of mucus. Next, the postnasal drip may cause a sore throat, nausea and difficulty sleeping.
Anatomy of Paranasal Sinuses
The paranasal sinuses are located near the nose and connect to your nasal cavity. There are four paranasal sinuses: maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal. They are named corresponding to the respective bone from which it takes its name. The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull and facial bones around the nose. These are air-filled cavities within the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary bones. All drain into the superior (upper) or lateral (side) aspect of the nose. The sinuses’ lining the mucosa (mucus membrane) is continuous with the nasal cavity. Therefore, any infections from the nasal mucosa can easily spread to the sinuses.
Cause of Sinusitis
The cause of Sinusitis is multifactorial. Most people with colds have an element of viral sinusitis. If you have atopy, a genetic immune system problem, it may make you more likely to develop allergic diseases (e.g. seasonal allergies). So you are more susceptible to sinusitis. Similarly, sinusitis can be caused by allergens, environmental irritants, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. For example, irritants are animal dander, polluted air, smoke, and dust.
First, a viral upper respiratory infection may cause sinusitis secondary to edema. Second, inflammation of the nasal lining and the production of thick mucus that obstructs the paranasal (near to nose) sinuses allows a secondary bacterial overgrowth. Third, allergic rhinitis (hayfever) can lead to sinusitis.
Other risk factors of sinusitis include:
- Air travel can lead to inflammation of the sinuses, because of changes in air pressure.
- Chronic sinusitis may be caused by small growths in the nose, injury of the nasal bones, air pollution, dental complications, emotional stress, smoking, and exposure to irritant fumes and smells.
- Allergic sinusitis may be caused by hay fever or food allergies, especially allergies to milk/ dairy products.
- People with compromised immune systems (e.g. HIV) are more susceptible to sinusitis.
Acupuncture Treatment and Sinusitis
Conventional medical treatment for sinusitis is usually satisfactory, but often for a short time. However, many patients have limited or no effect from conventional treatment. Therefore, the condition progresses to a chronic sinusitis which can last for many years. Treatment of chronic sinusitis is a well-established procedure in traditional Chinese acupuncture. Accordingly, acupuncture can be utilized to relieve symptoms of chronic sinusitis.
Research on Acupuncture and Sinus Problems
In one study the favorable effects of acupuncture in the treatment of children and young adults with chronic maxillary sinusitis, compared with antibiotics was reported. Numerous observational studies have suggested that acupuncture can be effective in sinusitis or sinus pain.
In another study, Nasal congestion was explored in regards to acupuncture. It was found those receiving acupuncture had a more positive outcome with nasal problems. Nasal congestion is one of the most common complaints seen in primary care settings. Additionally, the side effects of decongestants are frequently seen in patients with chronic nasal congestion and sinus problems. In conclusion, this leads to an increasing demand of alternative treatments such as acupuncture for nasal congestion and sinus problems.
Chiropractor West Palm Beach: Acupuncture for Sinusitis
Acupuncture has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. The acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways along the meridians to bring balance back. Mainly, the goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities.
After a thorough exam to rule out any critical problems, a course of acupuncture may definitely help. Meiri Chiropractic offers acupuncture for sinus problems and many other ailments. Dr. Natalie Meiri is a chiropractic physician, board certified in acupuncture with over 20 years of experience. Call today for your acupuncture treatment for sinusitis at 561-253-8984.
References: Acupuncture for nasal congestion: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical pilot study
Am J Rhinol Allergy . 2009 Nov-Dec;23(6):e23-8. doi: 10.2500/ajra.2009.23.3380. Epub 2009 Sep 18.
Serkan Sertel 1 , Zazie Bergmann, Kerstin Ratzlaff, Ingo Baumann, Henry Johannes Greten, Peter Karl Plinkert