What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture for Sinusitis?

Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that uses needles to help treat health problems such as sinusitis. Many people suffer from sinus problems and have a hard time finding relief, but acupuncture for sinusitis has been helpful in some cases. Acupuncture can help individuals breathe better by opening nasal passages through the use of needles on pressure points in the face. Different pressure points are used for different types of sinusitis that can be diagnosed through Chinese techniques. Sinusitis can last indefinitely in certain people, and treatments such as antibiotics lose effect over time, so acupuncture for sinusitis is becoming increasingly more utilized as a treatment.

The Bitong is a pressure point often used in the treatment of various types of sinusitis. This spot is located on each side of the nose at the bottom of the nasal bones. Other important pressure points used to treat sinusitis include the Yingxiang, Hegu, and Quchi points. An experienced acupuncture specialist will be familiar with these pressure points, and will be able to diagnose the specific type of sinusitis a patient is suffering from. Diagnosis includes looking at sinusitis patterns, the environment, and what is happening in an individual's life emotionally and physically.

Once the correct diagnosis has been made, acupuncture for sinusitis treatments can begin. The main benefit of acupuncture for sinusitis is the opening of nasal passages that have been blocked by mucus. Needles are inserted into the sides of the nose, ears, and face to facilitate opening of the passages and clearing fluids from the area. When the sinusitis is diagnosed as having come from a problem with another part of the body, other pressure points on the body are used as well.

Patients receiving acupuncture for sinusitis often use it in combination with other treatment techniques to make the person feel better and to unblock the sinuses. When done correctly, a patient should not experience nearly as many symptoms as he or she did previously, though it might be necessary to continue to have regular acupuncture treatments to stay healthier. Chinese herbs are prescribed to individuals to be eaten or made into tea, and nasal irrigation and washes can also help keep the symptoms at bay for longer periods of time. Acupressure massage, which does not include needles, can be done by a patient at home to help stimulate the pressure points and continue the benefits of the acupuncture treatments.